DES MOINES, Iowa – The measure of a great educator is more than what they’re teaching; it’s how they make students feel. The final Golden Apple of the 2024-25 school year takes us to Jefferson Elementary School in Des Moines.

Amanda Gold-Miller’s fifth-grade classroom is a place for students to learn and grow as people.

“I wanted to be in a public school specifically because this is a civic platform,” Gold-Miller said. “This is how we learn how to be citizens, and this is how we engage with democracy and make it a value.”

She decided to become a teacher after reflecting on her own experience as a student.

“There were definitely parts of school that I enjoyed as a kid, but I also had a hard time connecting to school when I was younger,” Gold-Miller said. “I always loved to learn. And I thought you know, the more that I’ve learned, the more opportunities that I’ve had. The more that I’ve learned, the more I’ve been able to be empathetic to other people. It’s brought joy to my life, and I want to share that with my students.”

Her students say she’s taught several lessons.

“Well, I’ve learned kindness. I’ve learned to be respectful. I’ve learned so much,” fifth-grade student Brooks Bailey said. “She’s just added on to everything that we’ve already known, and she’s just refined those skills.”

Parents of past students agree. 

“She really focuses on talking about fairness and equality and diversity. And she really makes the kids think about and understand life from all different perspectives, from all different backgrounds,” Sara Hopkins, whose two kids had Mrs. Gold-Miller as a teacher, said. “And I think that’s something that’s really, really special. It’s more than just teaching the curriculum, which she does fantastically, but it’s about teaching life.”

Life skills that led to this once-in-a-lifetime moment when Gold-Miller was awarded the Golden Apple.

“All of us in here know as educators we would trade all of that for the richness students bring to our lives,” Gold-Miller said when receiving the award. “And the joy and the love they bring to our lives. And the way they teach us to be better. I just want to say thank you to all of our students I love you all.”

A recognition for the teacher who began her career at Jefferson Elementary School.

“I started here as a fifth-grade student teacher with Beth Martin who also had a big impact on me as a teacher,” Gold-Miller said. 

The two were a part of TrEnCh Project, a research project with the National Science Foundation, where they worked with a fellow in engineering to build a science curriculum for elementary schools that is implemented around the country.

“She was just energetic, full of ideas,” Beth Martin, now a fourth-grade teacher, said. “It was like having a co-teacher working with me. She was just part of the team.”

A team that welcomed Gold-Miller to officially join the staff the same year when she filled in for one of the teachers who left mid-year.

“So, the first year, you can imagine all the things, it was really overwhelming,” Gold-Miller reflected, “but I had so much support from everyone in this building. It was great leadership. And it was all around a great experience.”

A great experience that made her want to stay.

“This is my home,” Gold-Miller said. “It became my home.”

Allowing her to create meaningful relationships with students.

“The other teachers in this school are amazing. I love each and every one of them,” Bailey said, “but she just goes above and beyond to take care of her students and take care of everyone who needs to be taken care of.”

“She really truly takes the time to care about these kids and everything that’s happening with them,” Hopkins said. “And she goes the extra mile to do things that a teacher doesn’t have to do for a student.”

And reminding them that even when they move on to middle school. 

“I always tell my students that if they ever need someone to remind them who they are, to come find me,” Gold-Miller said. 

She’ll be their teacher for life. 

“I’m just very proud of her,” Martin said. “She is the Golden Apple.”