Golden Apple finalists announced by Lee County education foundation
The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools released its 30 finalists for the 36th Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program.
The program was created by the foundation to help enhance and enrich public education by recognizing and rewarding excellence in teaching, according to a press release. Over the past 36 years, 195 teachers in Lee County have received a Golden Apple.
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“The teaching profession is the most important profession I can think of. Teachers prepare our community’s greatest asset, our children, to become productive and positive members of our community," said Marshall Bower, president and CEO of the foundation, in the release. "This fact alone demands that our business community and the community at large recognize them and thank them."
The 30 finalists were chosen by the foundation's Golden Apple Selection Committee, which is made up of community and business leaders.
"The Foundation’s Board of Directors understands that the cornerstone of a thriving economy is a good education. Teachers make that possible. After all this community has been through over the past several years with a pandemic and a hugely destructive hurricane, teachers, once again, have been our community heroes.” Bower said. “These 30 Golden Apple Finalists are representative of all our outstanding teachers in the School District of Lee County.”
Here are the finalists:
Lindsey Maxwell, Bayshore Elementary
Laura Jordan, Caloosa Elementary
John Crayton, Caloosa Middle
Ashley Koehler, Cape Coral High
Danielle Fitzsimmons, Cape Elementary
Lindsey Dwyer, Colonial Elementary
Quinn Schnabel, Diplomat Middle
Dr. Katherine Callard, Carrie D. Robinson Littleton
Louis Lillard, East Lee County High
Shirley Speruta, ESOL
Tamara Hunter, Franklin Park Elementary
Luis Fisher, Gateway High
Monica Baker, Gulf Elementary
Danielle Hopkins, Hancock Creek Elementary
Samantha Hower, Harns Marsh Middle
Allison Kerner, Harns Marsh Middle
Sarah Jones, Ida S. Baker High
Leanne Olmstead, Ida S. Baker High
Susan Wischhusen, Ida S. Baker High
Michelle Smith, Lehigh Senior High
Benjamin Andersen, Lexington Middle
Valerie Wieman Starling, Mariner High
Kathy Rivadeneira, North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts
Brittany Gardiner, Oak Hammock Middle
Katheryn Stempel, Ray V. Pottorf Elementary
Dr. Phyllis Verrone Lampman, Rayma C. Page Elementary
Miranda Lavender, Sunshine Elementary
Stephanie Yanik, The Sanibel School
Joni Pelletier, Treeline Elementary
Karen Whiteman, Varsity Lakes Middle
The finalists will be interviewed and observed in their classrooms by the committee, the release said. Six teachers will receive a Golden Apple award. They will be honored at the Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Banquet, a black-tie affair held at Caloosa Sound Convention Center and Amphitheater on Friday, April 14.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Golden Apple finalists announced by Lee County education foundation