Orchestra teacher at Naperville’s Scullen Middle School nominated for Golden Apple

Matthew White, an orchestra teacher at Scullen Middle School in Naperville, is one of 30 Illinois finalists in the 2026 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching.

White, who teaches 6th- through 8th-grade students, was selected from nearly 600 nominations statewide and recognized for his impact in the classroom, according to the nonprofit Golden Apple Foundation, which announced the nominations Wednesday.

“Exceptional teachers remind us every day what is possible for students,” Alan Mather, president of Golden Apple, said in a statement. “They create classrooms where curiosity and challenge are encouraged, confidence is built, and learning feels meaningful. These finalists exemplify the dedication, care, and skill that define teaching at its finest. We are proud to recognize the lasting impact they have on their students and school community.”

White has been shown to go above and beyond, the foundation said in the release.

As an example, the organization cited White’s collaboration with audiologists and engineers to help a deaf student with a cochlear impact play the violin.

When the student struggled to hear his tone on a traditional violin, White worked to connect an electric violin directly to the student’s implant system, the release said. It was described as “an epic success.”

White then advocated that the school buy the instrument so the student would have permanent access to music.

The efforts White makes on behalf of his students helped contribute to his finalist designation. Every student can find a place in White’s curriculum, the release said, even blending Western and non-Western music in ways that challenge students to explore identity, history and culture while developing real skills.

The foundation noted White’s role in launching his school’s first Carnatic ensemble, a music commonly associated with South India, by seeking out the help of a local expert and learning the art form himself.

He also teaches that being a musician means having civic responsibilities, the foundation said. As an example, he asks his students to perform at nursing homes on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to help the residents combat loneliness.

Parents and colleagues describe his classroom as “life-altering,” noting that students grow as musicians and as confident, empathetic people, the release said.

Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching honor outstanding teachers for having lasting, positive effects on students’ lives and school communities.

Nominees will learn in the spring if they have won a Golden Apple. Winners receive a $5,000 cash award and a free spring sabbatical provided by Northwestern University.

Recipients also become Fellows of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators, a community of educators who play a role in preparing the next generation of teachers through the Golden Apple Scholars and Accelerators programs, designed to address the teacher shortage in Illinois.

For a list of award finalists, go to www.goldenapple.org/golden-apple-awards-finalists-2026.

Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.