Golden Apple is now accepting applications for its Scholars program. Golden Apple seeks to provide a pathway for aspiring educators to enter the profession through this program to build the teacher pipeline that will fill crucial open teaching positions across the state. Illinois faces an ongoing teacher shortage crisis, leading to classrooms lacking the highly effective, well-qualified educators our students deserve. According to the 2022 – 2023 Educator Shortage Report from the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents, 79 percent of school districts statewide reported having a teacher shortage problem in 2022, with more than 2700 open teacher, special education, and support staff positions remaining unfilled or filled with someone less than qualified. The Scholars program focuses on teacher preparation and tuition assistance for high school seniors as well as freshman and sophomore college students in Illinois who have the determination and drive to teach. Scholars receive up to $23,000 in financial assistance, extensive classroom teaching experience, academic and social-emotional support, job placement assistance and mentoring from Golden Apple’s award-winning teachers. To learn more and apply, interested parties can visit www.goldenapple.org/scholars.