Each year, hundreds of teachers are nominated. From the hundreds, just 40 exceptional teachers from Brown County are named Teachers of Distinction. Of those 40, 12 are selected as Finalists. These extraordinary teachers are then narrowed down to just six Golden Apple Award Winners.

This year, NDA English teacher Ms. Jochman won a Golden Apple.

Jochman is the first NDA teacher to win a Golden Apple Award, and she owes a great deal of it to her fellow staff members.

“I’ve learned a lot in the time that I’ve been here, and part of the reason that I’m nominated is because I learned so much from my coworkers,” said Jochman.

The Golden Apple Awards recognize “high standards of professionalism, leadership and innovation in teaching,” according to the official website.

“They look at how teachers are focused on professional development, on reaching all students,” said Jochman, “and they reward teachers for being innovative and preparing students for the working world.”

Jochman was nominated anonymously and was very proud to “represent all the great teachers at Notre Dame.”

After her nomination, Jochman put together an application to become a Teacher of Distinction that centered around her innovation, professional development and collaboration at NDA. She then was sent through several screening processes until finally receiving the award.

According to the Greater Green Bay Chamber of Commerce, teachers are selected based on “the National Board of Professional Teaching standards, which identify the essential knowledge, skills and dispositions expected of experienced, quality teachers.”

And Jochman is nothing less, agrees Dr. Ravizza. The NDA principal said of Jochman, “She is a reflective practitioner who continually seeks better ways to meet the needs of her students.”

Ravizza added, “Her greatest attribute is her dedication to her students. Whether it is helping a senior with a college essay or being available before and after school to tutor freshmen, [Jochman] is willing to spend time assisting and coaching her students.”

Jochman is very active at NDA. She heads The Trident yearbook staff, as well as the NDA chapter of the National English Honor Society, in addition to her teaching responsibilities.

Recently, Jochman has also been very involved in IB Conferences, Shakespeare programs, and more outside of the NDA community. She presented at the Folger Shakespeare Workshop and was the only teacher from Wisconsin selected to participate.

“Her passion and love of teaching, her dedication to the students are really what makes Ms. Jochman such a great educator and an asset to NDA,” said Dr. Ravizza. “We’re all very proud of her.”