Four North Fort Myers teachers named as Golden Apple finalists
The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools today announced the 36th annual Golden Apple Recognition Program Award finalists. The Foundation’s Golden Apple Selection Committee, made up of community and business leaders, were charged with the arduous task of reviewing and ranking applications to select 30 finalists.
“The teaching profession is the most important profession I can think of,” said Marshall T. Bower Esq., president and CEO of The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools. “Teachers prepare our community’s greatest asset, our children, to become productive and positive members of our community. The Foundation’s Board of Directors understands that the cornerstone of a thriving economy is a good education. Teachers make that possible.”
Bower added that the “finalists are representative of all our outstanding teachers in the School District of Lee County.”
2023 Golden Apple Award finalists:
North Fort Myers teachers
Lindsey Maxwell, Bayshore Elementary
Dr. Katherine Callard, Carrie D Robinson Littleton
Danielle Hopkins, Hancock Creek Elementary
Kathy Rivadeneira, North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts
The remaining finalists:
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
Louis Lillard, East Lee County High
Shirley Speruta, ESOL
Tamara Hunter, Franklin Park Elementary
Luis Fisher, Gateway High
Monica Baker, Gulf 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
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
Finalists are personally interviewed and observed in their classrooms by the Golden Apple selection committee, and six teachers are selected as the Golden Apple Award recipients. The Recipients are honored at the Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Banquet, a black-tie affair being held at Caloosa Sound Convention Center & Amphitheater on Friday, April 14.
The Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program was the first major project founded and developed by The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools. Since its inception 36 years ago, as a way to enhance public education by recognizing and rewarding excellence in teaching, the Foundation has awarded 195 educators with the prestigious Golden Apple Teacher Award.
About The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools
The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools, Inc. is a private, 501(c)3 organization established in 1986. Its mission is to enhance and enrich the quality of public education in Lee County for students and educators through programs, resources, and experiences made possible through corporate, individual, and educational partnerships. The Foundation is rated as a 4-star Platinum nonprofit organization by GuideStar. Find them online at leeschoolfoundation.org, on Twitter @FoundationLCPS, and Facebook.