Blessed Francis Seelos Academy

In the Diocese of Pittsburgh, it is known as the “Ultimate Educator's Award” and Blessed Francis Seelos Academy is proud to have three of our current faculty members as Golden Apple Award recipients: Mrs. Mallory Gurney, Mr. Robert Reese, and Mrs. Mary Smolter.

Nominees for this prestigious award are submitted by school principals, parents, students, and fellow teachers. A selection committee consisting of members of the Diocesan Schools Office, the Education Department from Duquesne University, and the Donahue Family Foundation chooses the recipients.  The winners are selected on a number of criteria, including an educator’s professional excellence, leadership, commitment to Catholic values, and devotion to teaching in Catholic schools.

The program is made possible by the generosity of the Donahue Family Foundation, who instituted similar programs in the Dioceses of Harrisburg and Youngstown.