Eugene School District 4J

EXCELLENCE IS AT OUR CORE!
Congratulations to our 254 nominees for 2026

It's time for the 2026 Golden Apple Awards, 4J's annual employee and volunteer recognition program. The program celebrates the outstanding contributions of the district's educators and volunteers.

Nomineees for the 2026 Golden Apple Award are recognized in one of four categories:

• Teacher / Licensed Specialist
• Classified employee
• Administrator / Supervisor
• Volunteer

4J employees also can be nominated for:

• Apple Seed award for early-career staff
• Lifetime Achievement award for staff at or nearing retirement
• 4J Spotlight award for an employee who contributes to the overall well-being and success of the school district through service, teamwork and kindness.

One nominee in each category will be chosen by a selection committee to be named 4J's 2026 Golden Apple winners. Each winner will receive a $250 grant for Eugene Education Foundation for the 4J school or program of their choosing.

The winners will be announced in May and featured on the district website and Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as in the family and staff e-newsletters. They will be invited for special recognition to a school board meeting, and Superintendent Miriam Mickelson and other leaders will visit the winners at their work sites to congratulate them and bestow the keepsake awards. There will be no celebration due to the district’s ongoing financial challenges. 
 

2026 GOLDEN APPLE AWARD NOMINEES

A bushel of 254 outstanding employees and volunteers were nominated by parents, students and colleagues for a 2026 Golden Apple Award. Congratulations to all our nominees! 

* indicates also nominated for Apple Seed Award, which honors a 4J employee in the first three years of their career.
^ indicates also nominated for Lifetime Achievement Award, which honors a 4J employee at or nearing retirement.