2023 Crystal Apple Awards to honor these 9 Tri-Cities area teachers

Eric Rosane
·2 min read

They’re among the most dedicated, passionate and creative teachers in the region.

And one of them could be Washington’s next Teacher of the Year.

On Tuesday, Educational Service District 123 (ESD 123) announced names of the nine winners of the 2023 Crystal Apple Award for Excellence in Education.

The award recognizes distinguished public school educators from around the Mid-Columbia who have made a positive impact on the lives of their students.

One teacher is selected from each of the nine local public school districts.

Award recipients will be recognized at a ceremony set for 4:30 p.m. March 9 at the ESD 123 administrative building. Here are the winners:

  • Naomi Devers, a family consumer science teacher at Kennewick High School (Kennewick).

  • Lesley Belden, a special education teacher at Chief Joseph Middle School (Richland).

  • Miguel Taboada, an English language development math and science teacher at Stevens Middle School (Pasco).

  • Tina Larios, a math teacher at Columbia High School (Columbia-Burbank).

  • Ashley Johnson, a math and Washington state history teacher at Finley Middle School (Finley).

  • Rebecca Turner, a 6th-8th grade resource teacher at Kiona-Benton City Middle School (Kiona-Benton City).

  • Emily Lopez, a math, English, language arts and science teacher at Palouse Junction High School (North Franklin).

  • Thomas Christensen, a Spanish and theater arts teacher at Othello High School (Othello).

  • Mackenzie Lopez, a health science teacher at Prosser High School (Prosser).

Each Crystal Apple winner is submitted as a nominee to the Washington State Teacher of the Year program.

Winners are also presented $1,000 checks, a glass “Crystal Apple” award and other gifts donated by local businesses.

A community leader will also be surprised with the Special Achievement Award winner for their contributions to the education community.

This is the 25th anniversary of this annual event. The program was founded in 1999 as the Tri-City Crystal Apple Awards in order to recognize some of the tireless and dedicated local teachers.

Since then, 272 have been awarded this privileged distinction. That also includes the recipients from this year.

Nine teachers from around the Mid-Columbia will be awarded the 2023 Crystal Apple Award for Excellence in Education at the 25th annual ceremony held Thursday, March 9, in Pasco, WA.
Nine teachers from around the Mid-Columbia will be awarded the 2023 Crystal Apple Award for Excellence in Education at the 25th annual ceremony held Thursday, March 9, in Pasco, WA.