On Thursday afternoon, May 14, Shavon Brewer (MA ’16)—a 5th-grade math teacher at Northwest Elementary School in Evergreen Park, Ill., and an alumna of Concordia University Chicago—received a Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. The award honors outstanding Illinois-based teachers for making a meaningful and lasting impact on their students, school, and community.  

The 2026 awardees were selected from almost 600 nominations of 4th- through 8th-grade teachers. Brewer is one of 10 teacher award recipients in the state.  

“It was a very emotional, unforgettable moment in my life,” said Brewer, who received the award during a surprise visit by The Golden Apple Foundation. “When I saw the curtains open, I immediately started crying. I was truly shocked, but I’m very grateful.” 

Within her classroom, Brewer has made a significant difference, helping her students achieve a median growth percentile of 75 in math, according to school data. She does this by engaging students of all learning styles and levels through interactive elements and collaboration.  

One example includes transforming her classroom into a comprehensive grocery store, complete with cashiers, managers, stockers, baggers, and customers. Through that real-world lens, Brewer helps her students practice addition and subtraction. She’s also created a volume zoo, where students learn geometry by making life-size animals out of boxes. It’s her way of making math tangible, and it’s an activity her past students remember fondly.  

Before Brewer was a math teacher, she worked as a paraprofessional, serving students with varying learning abilities. That experience led her to pursue a master’s degree in special education.  

“That’s why I chose CUC,” said Brewer. “I knew I wanted to be able to differentiate instruction for all learners, and I wanted the strategies to be able to do that. My instructors were able to give me valuable insight not just into the curriculum but also how to apply those strategies in the classroom.” 

Within her program, Brewer said her professors helped shape her into the teacher she is today, providing valuable insights on how to create an environment where every learner can reach their full potential.   

“Our Special Education program is grounded in the belief that all learners deserve instruction that is responsive to their strengths and needs,” said Dr. Peggy A. Snowden, associate professor of special education. “Shavon exemplifies this exceptional training, and we are incredibly proud of her.” 

After school, Brewer’s work continues. She’s created a mentorship program called 5th-Grade Ambassadors, kick-started a Career Week initiative, and made a tweens club that hosts events for 5th-graders across the district. She also runs an after-school drama club and a private tutoring business.  

“Receiving the 2026 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching not only honors Shavon’s outstanding work but also allows her to strengthen the learning environment for future teachers, extending her influence far beyond her own classroom,” said Dr. Andrea P. Dinaro, professor of special education and chair of the division of curriculum, technology, and inclusive education. 

As part of the award, Brewer received $5,000 and a paid spring sabbatical to Northwestern University, where she will take coursework to refine her pedagogy. Brewer is also now a Fellow of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators—a community that provides personalized mentoring for the next generation of teachers in the Golden Apple Scholars and Accelerators programs. 

“Shavon Brewer’s preparation in math education and special education has made her a powerhouse educator, equipping her with the expertise to make learning accessible, engaging, and empowering for every student,” said Dr. Kathleen Briseno, program leader and professor of special education. “Her deep commitment to her students and to the field of education was unmistakable when we observed the genuine excitement and admiration her learners expressed for their teacher. Shavon Brewer embraces every student’s value.”

Congratulations to Brewer, all the other award recipients, Golden Apple finalists, and nominees. To learn more about the advanced degrees Concordia-Chicago’s College of Education offers, visit CUChicago.edu/academics/graduate-academics.