Golden Apple Recipients Announced

Champions For Learning visited the classrooms of six teachers in Collier County on Wednesday, March 22nd, to present them with Golden Apple Awards, recognizing their best practices in teaching among the group of Teachers of Distinction who were nominated. Staff members, board members, and selection committee volunteers from Champions For Learning partnered with major sponsors to present the awards to the teachers selected to receive the Golden Apple Awards.

As part of the Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program, each school in Collier County Public Schools has the opportunity to nominate a teacher and a best practice to highlight on behalf of their school. There are 60 Teachers of Distinction from 58 Collier County schools; Champions For Learning’s selection committee then selects the six teachers to be the Golden Apple recipients.

After visiting the teachers representing the Collier County Public Schools, Champions For Learning’s community-based selection committee chose these teachers and their best practices to receive the Golden Apple Awards: Marlon Alfaro from Manatee Middle School with “Building Relationships and High Expectations”; D’Nai Bullen from Corkscrew Elementary School with “Keeping it Real with Mathematics!”; Sylvie Certa from Gulfview Middle School with “Mining Young Minds”; Anne Coots from Osceola Elementary with “KEEP CALM - CLICK ON COOTS!”; Ashley Crosby from Golden Gate Middle School with “Building a Resilient Mindset”; and Michael Gonzalez from RCMA Immokalee Community Academy with “Teaching Math through Various Practices.”

The Golden Apple Award Recipient Teachers will each receive a grant of $5,000 to move forward with expanding their best practices. The Teachers of Distinction receive a $250 award, and the Golden Apple recipients receive an additional cash reward.

 “At Suncoast Credit Union, we believe a community that invests in their educators builds a strong foundation for students, businesses and the community at large. Our foundation was formed in 1990, and since then, we have raised more than $40 million to provide a better future for children,” said Kourtney Berry, executive director of the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation, the Presenting Sponsor. “Being able to recognize dedicated teachers who stand above the rest is the heart of the Golden Apple Awards. Our goal by participating in the Golden Apple Awards is that the grants will inspire teachers to continue investing in our students and to develop innovative practices.”