Ida S. Baker finalist, Deanna Hasty, waves Wednesday at the throng of surprise guests. / Sarah Coward/news-press.com
What’s Next
• Golden Apple selection committee members will visit each of the 30 finalists in school to examine their performance over the next six weeks.
• The six Golden Apple recipients will be announced in March with surprise presentations. The schools of the six teachers will receive $500 grants. The Golden Apple teachers will receive a $3,000 cash award and membership in the Lee County Academy of Teachers.
• The 2012 Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Banquet is April 5 at Harborside Event Center.
Finalists
Lee County Golden Apple Finalists
1. Amy Mayer, Allen Park Elementary
2. Barbara Rebeor, Challenger Middle
3. Karen Green, Challenger Middle
4. Karen Huston, Heights Elementary
5. Sondra Best, Heights Elementary
6. Patrick Hanrahan, Ida S. Baker High
7. Fernando Vazquez, Ida S. Baker High
8. Shane Appledorn, Ida S. Baker High
9. Deanna Hasty, Ida S. Baker High
10. Susan Hassett, Robinson Littleton Elementary
11. Robert Schalmo, Villas Elementary
12. Joelle Beverly, Bayshore Elementary
13. Morgan Wright, J. Colin English
14. Allen Dyen-Shapiro, Island Coast High
15. Joseph Mallon, Island Coast High
16. Linda Grant, Patriot Elementary
17. Quinn Schnabel, Diplomat Middle
18. Mara Exposito, Diplomat Elementary
19. Jamie McGougan, North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts
20. Gwen Gregg, North Fort Myers High
21. Tonia Petro, Skyline Elementary
22. Barbara Winitzer, Skyline Elementary
23. Katie Donohue, Trafalgar Middle
24. Gwynetta Gittens, East Lee County High
25. Kerri Toscano, Gateway Elementary
26. Shandra Backens, Harns Marsh Elementary
27. Sara Kohlhauff, Pinewoods Elementary
28. Miriam Sutton, Three Oaks Elementary
29. Marjan Schoettelkotte, Treeline Elementary
30. Kimberly Stinson, Veterans Park Academy for the Arts
More
Overwhelmed.
That’s how Karen Green, an eighth-grade math teacher at Challenger Middle School, described her feelings after learning Tuesday morning she was a finalist for a Golden Apple award.
"It’s my first nomination. My stomach is just churning, I’m so thrilled," she said.
Green is one of 30 Lee County teachers who were notified Wednesday about the honor.
One of Green’s students wasn’t surprised to learn that his teacher was in the running for a Golden Apple.
"She’s by far the best math teacher in Lee County," said Kesnel Mere, 13.
Green’s math and teaching skills will have to be top of the line, especially since she and the other 29 finalists will have to impress a panel of Foundation for Lee County Schools Golden Apple selection committee members in the next six weeks for one of six spots. The selection committee is made up of 12 Lee County business and community leaders.
The committee chose the 30 teachers from more than 5,000 nominations submitted by students, parents and the community, said Marshall Bower, executive director of the Foundation.
Each of the finalists received a $300 classroom grant and will participate at the Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Banquet in April. It’s a great achievement for teachers to make it to this point of the selection process, Bower said.
"We want to see how do they make learning fun, how do they engage the classroom," said Bower. "Are they representative of all great teachers?"
When it comes to engaging students, Green is doing something right, said Challenger Middle Principal Teri Cannady.
"She does tutoring after school and has 20 kids staying on a regular basis for help," said Cannady. "If there’s one teacher with a true connection to her kids, it’s her."
For every teacher who received the news during class time about the honor, there were principals and students eager to see them win a Golden Apple.
Ida S. Baker Principal Melissa Robery was excited to get the news out to her teachers and staff after learning the school became the first in Lee County to have four Golden Apple finalists in one year.
"It’s amazing," Robery said. "I’m so proud of the staff and school. I’m so privileged to work with educators who put kids first."
Robery said she’s hoping the odds are in her school’s and teachers’ favors when it comes to landing a Golden Apple.
One of the Baker teachers, Fernando Vazquez, could become the second half of a Golden Apple couple. His wife, Lisa, who is the athletic director at the school, won a Golden Apple in 2010.
"I’m very surprised," said Fernando Vazquez.
Vazquez knew guests would be arriving in his class, but he didn’t expect to hear he was a Golden Apple nominee for a third time.
"It would be amazing and a lot of fun to be a Golden Apple couple," said Lisa Vaquez. "Teaching is our passion."
