Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce and Liberty announce 2025 Golden Apple Award Winners

JOPLIN. Mo — The Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce and Liberty are excited to announce the winners of the 2025 Golden Apple Awards.

For 40 years, the Golden Apple Awards have recognized excellence in the teaching profession and informed the public of exceptional quality of instruction in the Joplin community. This year, 52 teachers from Joplin’s private and public schools were nominated by peers, students, and parents.

The winners of the 2025 Golden Apple Awards are:

Kindergarten to Second Grade
• Stephanie Lynch, Soaring Heights Elementary School

Third to Fifth Grade
• Erin Geeding, McKinley Elementary School

Sixth to Eighth Grade
• Ann Landrum, New Heights Christian Academy

Ninth to Twelfth Grade
* Brad Douglas, Joplin High School

All nominees and the individuals who nominated them were recognized during a ceremony on Monday, May 5 at Missouri Southern State University’s Corley Auditorium.