For Golden Apple teacher Shannon Armsworthy at Father Andrew White School, teaching is ‘as natural as breathing’
During an Earth Day assembly on April 20 at Father Andrew White, S.J. School, in Leonardtown, Maryland, students sat cross-legged on the gym floor as teachers gathered at the front, preparing to pull down a large sheet of yellow butcher paper covered in handwritten reflections and a Scripture verse.
Painted across the center in green letters were the words from the Gospel of Luke: “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required.”
Moments later, the paper came down, revealing the surprise beneath it: fourth grade teacher Shannon Armsworthy had been named a 2026 Golden Apple Award winner.
The announcement, made by representatives from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington’s Catholic Schools Office, was met with applause and cheers as Armsworthy was recognized for her dedication to Catholic education, her leadership within the school community and her lasting impact on students.