Green Apple Awards

CSDC established the Green Apple Award in 2018 to recognize individual contributions and achievements of retiring charter leaders and to encourage those who follow in their footsteps to continue the tradition. CSDC has reimagined the awards in 2023 to provide recognition to our legacy leaders and to spotlight a new generation of visionaries who are proving what is possible in public education.

Nominations for the 2023 Green Apple Awards have closed. Have someone in mind for next year? Join CSDC’s mailing list to receive updates on the 2024 nominations process.

Category I: Emerging Leader (1 award)

The CSDC Emerging Leader Award recognizes a leader who has made significant contributions in their role to a CSDC member school and has demonstrated potential for significant leadership within our sector.

Emerging Leaders are individuals who:

• Have worked in service of the charter sector for 10 years or less
• Engaged in and successfully completed at least one CSDC leadership program(s) in the last three years: Charter Business Officer (CBO) Training, Leadership Intensive, HR Academy or the in-person Governance Academy held at CSDC’s annual conference
• Inspire others to work collaboratively and creatively
• Demonstrate a commitment to developing organizational efficiency and sustainability
• Demonstrate a commitment to ethical leadership
• Demonstrate a commitment to equity for staff, students and families
• Are responsive to the needs of the school community
• Are advocates for their charter organization

Emerging Leaders should be nominated by administrative or board leadership within their school. Emerging leaders may be charter school administrative staff, lead teachers, or governing board members. "The award will be presented during the morning plenary session at the 2023 CSDC Conference at the Anaheim Convention Center on Thursday, November 9. The acceptance speech will be presented via a pre-recorded video produced by CSDC prior to the event. The awardee must be present to accept the award.

Category II: Foundational Leader (1 award)

The CSDC Foundational Leader Award recognizes a leader whose steadfast commitment to excellence, to their community, and to leading with vision has built a CSDC member school’s promise and sustainability. Foundational leaders have demonstrated significant leadership within the charter sector.

Foundational Leaders are individuals who:

• Have worked in service of the charter sector for 11 years or more
• Engaged in and successfully completed at least two CSDC leadership program(s) including Charter Business Officer (CBO) Training, Leadership Intensive, HR Academy, or in-person Governance Academy held at CSDC’s annual conference
• Inspire others to work collaboratively and creatively
• Demonstrate a commitment to developing organizational efficiency and sustainability
• Demonstrate a commitment to ethical leadership
• Demonstrate a commitment to equity for staff, students and families
• Are responsive to the needs of the school community
• Are advocates for their charter organization
• Are an advocate for the charter sector
• Provide leadership within their local community, beyond their school
• Provide mentorship to emerging leaders

Foundational Leaders should be nominated by administrative or board leadership within their school. Foundational Leaders might be the Executive Director, Principal, or any C-suite-level/leadership team members. "The award will be presented during the morning plenary session at the 2023 CSDC Conference at the Anaheim Convention Center on Thursday, November 9. The acceptance speech will be presented via a pre-recorded video produced by CSDC prior to the event. The awardee must be present to accept the award.

Category III: Legacy Leader Recognition Program (no limit)*

The CSDC Legacy Leader recognizes leaders whose lasting contributions and achievements have built sustaining organizations within the charter sector and have inspired others to lead. "Legacy Leaders are individuals who:

• Retired in the 2022-23 school year or are moving into retirement in the 2023-24 school year
• Demonstrated a commitment to ethical leadership
• Were steadfast advocates for their charter organization and the charter sector
• Provided leadership within their local community, beyond their school
• Provided mentorship to emerging leaders
• Demonstrated a commitment to equity for staff, students and families

Legacy Leaders may be nominated by school administration or staff, board leadership, parents, or other stakeholders from their school community.

*All Legacy Leaders who have submitted the required information by the deadline will be recognized during the morning plenary session in a slide show that includes their photo, name, charter organization, title, and years in the sector. Legacy award winners do not need to be present to receive their recognition.

Note: CSDC will choose the award winners from the pool of nominees and reserves the right to reject nominations based on our internal selection process. Award winners will be notified in a timely fashion in order to prepare for the video recording and attendance at the event.