The 2011 Golden Apple teachers were announced on Thursday, February 24th! Please visit NaplesNews.com/GoldenApple or WinkNews.com for full coverage of the teachers’ big surprise! On February 24th, students around Collier County could be heard crunching apples from golden delicious bushel baskets as their teachers were awarded the prestigious Golden Apple Award. Representatives from Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union, presenting sponsor of Golden Apple, were joined by major sponsors of The Education Foundation in surprising the teachers in their classrooms.
For the 21st year, The Education Foundation of Collier County has honored and thanked teachers, on behalf of the community, for excellence in the classroom.
The following teachers are the 2011 Golden Apple Recipients:
- Michelle L. Barreiro, Corkscrew Elementary
- Sean P. Brosig, North Naples Middle
- Lisa R. Garby, Manatee Middle
- Jaime Luis Hernández, Immokalee Technical Center
- John Thomas Rosbottom, Golden Gate Middle
- Kimberly Sweat, New Beginnings-Naples
The Golden Apple Teachers along with the Teachers of Distinction will be recognized Tuesday, May 3rd at the 21st Annual Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Celebration presented by Suncoast for Kids Foundation. This community celebration of teaching will be televised live from the Philharmonic Center for the Arts on The Education Channel (Comcast Cable 99) from 7 – 8:30 pm, and rebroadcast on WINK-TV on May 7th at 7 pm and May 14th at Noon. Media partners WINK-TV and Naples News Media Group provide ongoing coverage of the program. Additional support is provided by the Mary Ingram Fund of the Columbus Foundation for cash prizes for the Teachers of Distinction and Golden Apple recipients.
The presenting sponsor, Suncoast for Kids Foundation, is sponsored entirely by the Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union, and 100 percent of funds are contributed to organizations and initiatives that assist children in the communities Suncoast Schools FCU serves. “Suncoast Schools FCU has supported the Golden Apple Awards for over a decade and a half,” states Greg Pasanen, Suncoast Schools FCU Regional Vice President. “Our Suncoast for Kids Foundation has infused over $6.9 million into the communities we serve as of the end of 2010. There is no greater honor or responsibility than to do all we can to assist in the education of future generations, most of which are being educated in public schools.”
The Education Foundation began with the core belief that teachers have the greatest impact on student learning. Since the inception of Golden Apple 21 years ago, over 20,000 teachers have been nominated and thanked through this community-based process. Over the years, the teachers who have gone on to apply after being nominated and invited the community into their classrooms have provided us the privilege of learning about great teaching.
Alan Horton, 2010-11 Golden Apple chair, said, “Effective teachers have the power to turn on each child to life-long learning and achieving, and they also are the most effective bridges between the community and its schools.
“Over the last several years, the Education Foundation’s Connect Now initiative facilitated 54 focus-group-like conversations around the county. The hundreds of citizens who participated in those conversations agreed that our teachers ought to be well-prepared, committed and, most of all, respected and supported. When we honor our Golden Apple teachers, we not only show respect and support for teachers, but we inspire the community at large to feel pride in them and their schools.”
The Golden Apple process begins when students, parents, colleagues, and community members nominate teachers in the fall. Eligible teachers who have been nominated may choose to apply for Golden Apple by submitting the written application. The Selection Committee, constituted by former educators, parents, local business and community volunteers, read the applications “blind” and narrow the field to 60. These 60 teachers are then observed (unannounced) and scored by members of the Core Committee, which is a different group of community volunteers. The application and initial observation scores combined to identify the 30 Teachers of Distinction, who are then observed and interviewed by the Selection Committee, who then select the six (6) Golden Apple recipients.
The Selection Committee seeks to recognize professional Collier County Public School teachers who exhibit excellence in the classroom.
This year, the Golden Apple Celebration will also include two community-based awards. The “Heart of the Apple” award recognizes an individual who has made a significant collective impact on education in our community. The “Get On the Bus” award highlights exemplary collaborative work that engages community with schools, ultimately benefitting students.
To purchase tickets for the 21st Annual Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Celebration or to make a contribution, please call The Education Foundation of Collier County at 239.643.4755. All proceeds benefit The Education Foundation of Collier County.
ABOUT THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF COLLIER COUNTY
Founded in 1990, The Education Foundation of Collier County is an independent not-for-profit 501(c) (3) organization that engages our community and schools in pursuit of a quality education for every child. Everyone has a role to play in educating our community’s children. Get on the bus, find your seat, and get involved! Visit www.EducationForCollier.org.
ABOUT SUNCOAST SCHOOLS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Suncoast Schools FCU, chartered in 1934 as Hillsborough County TeachersCredit Union, operates 50 full-service branches and serves more than 500,000 members in the following Florida counties: Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sumter. With assets of approximately $5 billion, Suncoast Schools FCU is the largest credit union in the state of Florida and the 8th largest in the United States. For more information visit: www.suncoastfcu.org.
