Each year, the Greater Green Bay Chamber recognizes and honors educators who inspire, lead and innovate in Greater Green Bay classrooms through the Golden Apple Awards.

The Golden Apple Awards honor those shaping student success and our region’s future through excellence in education.

Eight award recipients will be recognized April 22 at the Golden Apple Awards event, and will also be featured in stories in the Press Times each week leading up to the event.

This week, get to know Golden Apple Award recipient Aaron Kilsdonk.

Aaron Kilsdonk

After growing up on a hobby farm near Hortonville, Aaron Kilsdonk pictured himself pursuing a career in veterinary medicine — but that all changed when he got to college.

“My high school did not have an agriculture department and I had no idea those classes existed until I went to college,” he said. “I always looked up to my math teacher, Mrs. Anne Stangel, and I changed my major to agricultural education. I combined my love of agriculture with a passion for teaching.”

Now teaching agriculture in the Seymour Community School District, Kilsdonk teaches many agricultural-focused topics, including animal science, small animal care, horticulture, natural resources and DNR safety courses.

“A big part of my role is connecting what we learn in the classroom to real-world experiences so students can see the relevance of agriculture in their everyday lives,” Kilsdonk said. “I found that I really enjoyed helping students understand where their food comes from while also building skills they can use in future careers… Early in my career, I realized that students learn best when they can connect what we’re doing in the classroom to real-life situations. Whether it’s working with animals, exploring agricultural careers, or applying science concepts in a practical way, those moments helped define my approach to teaching.”

In addition to teaching, Kilsdonk serves as an advisor for Seymour’s FFA program and is involved in the Wisconsin Association of Agriculture Educators (WAAE) and the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) organization.

“Watching students grow in confidence, take on challenges, and succeed outside of their comfort zones has reinforced the importance of building relationships and creating opportunities beyond the classroom,” he said. “Those experiences have pushed me to be more intentional about supporting each student’s individual growth. I’ve also been shaped by collaboration with other educators through my district or WAAE and NAAE. Working with colleagues or other ag teachers across Wisconsin and the nation to either analyze student learning, share and create new ideas to improve instruction has helped me continuously grow and refine my teaching.”

In Kilsdonk’s classroom, every day brings something new.

“Some days you will see students taking care of classroom pets, working hands-on with fish and livestock, planting seeds in the greenhouse or harvesting hydroponic lettuce that we grow and send to food services…” Kilsdonk said. “Agriculture is such a broad field, and my goal is to help every student find a place where they can connect and succeed. That combination of hands-on learning, leadership development, and a supportive classroom culture is what really defines my program.”

Outside of the material he teaches, Kilsdonk hopes his students leave his classroom with “confidence in themselves and their abilities,” he said. “Of course, I want them to remember the content — whether it’s animal science concepts or understanding agriculture — but what matters most is that they develop skills like problem-solving, communication, and a strong work ethic. I also hope they remember that they were supported and that they had someone in their corner who believed in them.”