MLEA GOLDEN APPLE AWARD ANNOUNCED-Congratulations, Mrs. Karen Johnson!
MLEA is proud to announce the winner of the 2026 Golden Apple Award for teaching excellence. The Honoree was selected by committee from nominations submitted by students, colleagues, and parents. Over seventy-seven educators were nominated for the award. The 2026 Honoree is Karen Johnson, a 1st grade teacher at Minerva Elementary School.
Karen Johnson has spent more than 33 years working with some ofMinerva’s youngest students. Karen grew up in Tiffin, Ohio, and graduated from Tiffin Calvert High School. She went on to earn her bachelor's degree from Walsh College, with a certificate in Elementary Education. Soon after, Minerva became her home as she accepted a job in the local school system. Working first in a kindergarten position, she later became a first-grade teacher, a title she has held ever since. Mrs. Johnson has proven herself to be a lifelong learner, earning her master’s degree from the American College of Education in 2020.
Some of her students remarked, “Mrs. Johnson is the best! She makes arts and crafts and lets us go outdoors,” and “She makes it fun. We have fun jobs.” Karen is a dedicated educator who very obviously loves her students and her school. Karen faces every challenge with professionalism and works hard to provide every student with a fun, high-quality first-grade experience. Her own
first grade team members have described her as patient, caring, a talented mentor, an amazing role model, and a loyal advocate for both students and teachers. While
she is affectionately referred to as “St. Karen” by her team members, they are quick to point out that she is a quiet prankster, who enjoys causing a bit of good- natured chaos with activities like her famous annual Elf on the Shelf.
Minerva Local Schools Superintendent Mark Scott stated that teaching first grade is Karen’s life's calling. He believes that "Mrs. Johnson is a passionate, dedicated, and accomplished educator who impacts the lives of students each and every day.” Mr. Scott added that he is also appreciative of Karen’s care, support,
and positive influence of his own son, who was once a first grader in Mrs. Johnson’s classroom. Another parent was quoted as saying, “Mrs. Johnson has been so incredibly encouraging, and has done an amazing job building confidence in my daughter.”
Karen exemplifies the qualities of an exceptional educator, demonstrating strong leadership and fostering student success both in and out of the classroom. For these reasons and many more, it is clear that Mrs. Karen Johnson is very deserving of this year’s MLEA Golden Apple Award.