Cheers filled the gym at Little Flower School in Great Mills, Maryland on April 22 as kindergarten teacher Heather Little walked through the doors and was met with a burst of gold confetti and waving pom-poms.
Students and fellow teachers lined the space as confetti canisters popped, in a surprise ceremony where it was announced that Little had been named as a 2026 Golden Apple Award-winning teacher. Representatives from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington’s Catholic Schools Office announced the honor, which includes a $5,000 award recognizing excellence in Catholic education. It is presented annually to educators who demonstrate professional excellence, leadership, a commitment to Catholic values, and dedication to their students.
Funded by the Donahue Family Foundation, the Golden Apple Awards honor outstanding Catholic school teachers in this archdiocese and several others nationwide. This year’s 10 Golden Apple teachers in the Archdiocese of Washington will be honored at a May 21 dinner.
Little said the heart of her work is forming her kindergarten students both academically and spiritually.
“The thing that I enjoy most about being a teacher in a Catholic school is being able to teach the whole child,” she said. “I love the fact that not only am I teaching them academic knowledge, but I also get to teach them spiritually.”
That approach was reflected in the voices of her students, who described a classroom centered on kindness and care.
“She’s kind. She’s helpful,” said kindergartner Nash Knott.
Kindergartner Lily Lumpkins said she enjoys the fun activities in Mrs. Little’s class, including time to play and dress up.
First grader Dixie Hobbs said one of the most important lessons she learned in Mrs. Little’s class was “how to be nice.”
Little said that message is intentional and rooted in faith.
“Incorporating faith into my teaching each day pretty much goes by God’s golden rule,” she said. “My students will always know the answer. God’s golden rule is to treat others the way you want to be treated.”
Little Flower principal Caitlin Keeton said that commitment shapes every part of Little’s teaching.
“Mrs. Little is so deserving of the Golden Apple Award because she truly cares about each of her students as individuals,” Keeton said. “She sees their unique gifts and nurtures them during the time that they’re in her classroom.”
Keeton added that Little’s impact extends beyond academics.
“She strongly believes that each of her students was created in God’s image and likeness, and that drives everything that she does,” the principal said. “She fosters their prayer lives and lives her faith in so many ways every single day.”
Little has taught at Little Flower School for seven years, including five years in prekindergarten and the past two in kindergarten. In that time, she has built a classroom environment that emphasizes structure, creativity, and emotional support, according to school leaders and parents.
In nomination materials, families described a teacher who creates a space where students feel safe, valued, and eager to learn. One parent wrote that Little’s “love for learning is contagious,” while another said her child’s academic growth “improved by leaps and bounds” under her guidance.
Parents also pointed to her ability to meet students where they are, helping them navigate both academic challenges and emotional development with patience and consistency.
Keeton said Little’s commitment to the school community is equally strong.
“She touches all aspects of our school family,” the principal said. “She is involved in many different committees, helps with special events, and gives her time on evenings and weekends. Her commitment and care for this school family really knows no bounds.”
That dedication was on display the same day as the award announcement, which coincided with the school’s observance of the Month of the Military Child. Little, whose family has a military background, helped organize a breakfast for military families that morning.
The school community includes many military-connected families, and Keeton noted that Little works to support students and families navigating those experiences.
As the celebration settled, students set aside their gold pom-poms and, one by one, placed gold-petaled roses into a vase for their teacher, gathering close around her as the noise of the gym gave way to something quieter. Parent Briana Layne wrote in her nomination letter that “Mrs. Little’s genuine love for her class is easy to see” and that her excitement for learning “is always contagious.”
In the classroom, Little said her goal is simple.
“Being that I’m a kindergarten teacher, the thing that I hope that my students take with them after leaving my classroom is just a genuine love for learning,” she said.
Link to series with Golden Apple teacher profiles:
https://www.cathstan.org/series/2026-golden-apple-teachers-in-archdiocese-of-washington
