Erie Math Teacher Receives Golden Apple Award
The honor recognizes a decade of work simplifying complex math concepts for high school students.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Mathematics
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Cathedral Preparatory School mathematics teacher Kia Howell has been honored with the JET Action News PennWest University Golden Apple Award. The recognition follows a nomination by student Amora Taylor, highlighting Howell's approach to teaching complex mathematics.
Why it matters
This award highlights regional efforts to recognize educators who successfully translate complex mathematical concepts into accessible curriculum. The recognition serves to spotlight teaching methodologies that prioritize student engagement and classroom support.
The award recognizes a 10-year teaching tenure and is supported by a financial gift from Big Ideas Learning. The selection process relied on a student nomination, marking a departure from purely peer- or administration-reviewed evaluation metrics.
The players
Kia Howell
A mathematics educator at Cathedral Preparatory School with 10 years of experience.
Cathedral Preparatory School
An Erie-based educational institution serving as the site of instruction.
Amora Taylor
A student at Cathedral Preparatory School who authored the nomination for the award.
Big Ideas Learning
A curriculum developer that provided the financial gift associated with the award.
The details
The Golden Apple Award acknowledges specific pedagogical techniques used to simplify complex math problems for students. Kia Howell, who has taught mathematics for 10 years, employs a supportive classroom environment to facilitate this learning. The nomination process for the award was initiated by student Amora Taylor, who submitted the application on behalf of her teacher.
Timeline
October 21, 2026: Kia Howell received the Golden Apple Award.
2025: Kia Howell's husband received the Golden Apple Award.
The Tech Race
The award follows the precedent set by the 2025 Golden Apple Award received by Kia Howell's husband. This recognition reinforces an ongoing cycle of regional educator acknowledgement within the Erie academic landscape.
Students and faculty at Cathedral Preparatory School see the award reflected in the continued support of the school's mathematics program. The financial gift from Big Ideas Learning provides resources that directly support classroom-level activities in the current academic year.
The takeaway
This award underscores the impact of student-led nominations in recognizing pedagogical success. Readers should watch for future announcements regarding the 2027 Golden Apple Award cycle to see how the criteria for classroom support evolve.
Further reading
For more on educational developments and classroom innovations in the city, visit Mathematics.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WJET-TV.
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