West Port High's Leah Bender wins the 2022 Marion County Golden Apple Teacher of the Year

Joe Callahan, Ocala Star-Banner
·4 min read

Leah Bender, an eight-year veteran English literature and composition teacher at West Port High School, was named Marion County's 2022 Teacher of the Year on Saturday at the Reilly Arts Center.

Bender was honored at about 8:30 p.m. Saturday during the 32nd annual Golden Apple Gala. With the honor, she will receive a three-year lease on a 2022 Kia Soul from Jenkins Auto Group.

Standing with her hands on her face, Bender was shocked when her name was announced. She thanked her husband, Roman, and her family. She also thanked West Port Principal Ginger Cruze "for allowing me to teach these wonderful students."

2022: Horizon Academy's Melinda Kimball named Marion's Rookie Teacher of the Year

2021: Christine Fernandez named Marion County's top teacher

2020: Euan Hunter named the 2020 Marion County Golden Apple Teacher of the Year

“Every day I love going to work because my students are the best students in the world,” she told the crowd of about 400.

The Public Education Foundation of Marion County, which sponsors the event, held the event for the first time at the Reilly Arts Center. For nearly a decade before last year’s smaller gathering at College of Central Florida due to the pandemic, it had been held at the Circle Square Cultural Center at the On Top of the World retirement community.

School District spokesman Kevin Christian and foundation Director Meghan Magamoll emceed the event, which was broadcast live on YouTube. All of the veteran and rookie teachers for each of the 50-plus schools were highlight during a video.

Superintendent of Schools Diane Gullett thanked Marion County School Board members and her cabinet and then addressed the crowd. She saluted all the teachers for their work during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This joyful occasion at this lovely venue gives us the opportunity to celebrate all of the educators who go above and beyond,” Gullett said. “And they genuinely care about what’s best for all of our children.”

The event kicked off with an inspirational song by Vanguard High School IB Coordinator Stephanie DeVilling, a Golden Apple finalist in 2012, and Forest High School Guidance Counselor Ecliff Telford.

Each finalist was introduced by one of their students, whose introductions were pre-recorded and shared via video. Each veteran finalist gave their speeches live.

Committee members scored every portfolio submitted by the 50-plus veteran nominees. The committee narrowed the list to about 15, some of whom were interviewed. Of those, several were observed in the classroom, and then the committee chose five finalists.

Vanguard High School IB Coordinator Stephanie DeVilling, left, a Golden Apple finalist in 2012, and Forest High School Guidance Counselor Ecliff Telford performed an inspirational song at the opening of the 32nd annual Golden Apple Gala on Saturday night.
Vanguard High School IB Coordinator Stephanie DeVilling, left, a Golden Apple finalist in 2012, and Forest High School Guidance Counselor Ecliff Telford performed an inspirational song at the opening of the 32nd annual Golden Apple Gala on Saturday night.

Along with Bender, the other veteran teacher finalists, in alphabetical order, were: Beth Abel, Lake Weir Middle School; Jennifer Bourque, Harbour View Elementary School; Joanne Houghton, Fort McCoy School; and Hannah Whitston, Madison Street Academy.

Bender said during her speech that all teachers make a difference in student lives. Despite "their silly TikTok dances or sarcastic one-liners, these 'kids,' my seniors, are on the threshold of graduation and becoming part of the Marion County community."

"Many of the educators in this room tonight have had a hand in starting these students’ journeys, but I am one of the fortunate few teachers who gets to see the end result of all your hard work," Bender said.

Meghan Magamoll, the Public Education Foundation of Marion County executive director, and Kevin Christian, the director of public relations and multimedia productions for the Marion County Public Schools, emceed the event.
Meghan Magamoll, the Public Education Foundation of Marion County executive director, and Kevin Christian, the director of public relations and multimedia productions for the Marion County Public Schools, emceed the event.

Bender wrote in her portfolio that she is often asked to help assess children exhibiting behavioral issues in her school.

Bender said she has been involved in the Take Stock In Children mentoring program since 2014. "I have graduated four nominees, all of which I still keep in touch with today," she said.

Two weeks ago, officials named Melinda Kimball, a Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks middle school agriculture teacher, as Marion County's 2022 Rookie Teacher of the Year.

West Port High School teacher Leah Bender, who was named Marion County's 2022 Teacher of the Year, sits behind the wheel of her 2022 Kia Soul provided by the Jenkins Auto Group. The automobile company gave her a three-year lease for winning the award.
West Port High School teacher Leah Bender, who was named Marion County's 2022 Teacher of the Year, sits behind the wheel of her 2022 Kia Soul provided by the Jenkins Auto Group. The automobile company gave her a three-year lease for winning the award.

A second committee narrowed the 50 rookie nominees to about a dozen, who were interviewed. The top several were observed in the classroom, with Kimball receiving the top honor.

A rookie teacher is one with three or fewer years of experience. A veteran is a teacher with more than three years of experience.

Joe Callahan can be reached at (352) 817-1750 or at joe.callahan@starbanner.com. Follow him on twitter @JoeOcalaNews or on Facebook at Joe Callahan-News.

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Teacher of the Year in Marion County: West Port High's Leah Bender