Honoring The Golden Apple Recipients

Chip & I had the distinct honor last night of attending the 19th Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Celebration at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts. It was a memorable evening and we left there feeling so blessed to be a part of this fabulous community. The teachers who were honored were a diverse and talented group; but they had a common characteristic...to them teaching is a calling, and their love for children was evident...many of their students were in attendance. The pride felt was mutual. Naples is so lucky to have teachers of this caliber nurturing its students. There were 34 teachers honored as Teachers of Distinction, in addition to the 6 receiving the high honor of Golden Apple recipients. They were Brent Brickzen from Palmetto Ridge High School, Sheila Buckner from Calusa Park Elementary, Anna Ruth Crouse from Poinciana Elementary, Mia German from Pinecrest Elementary, Stephanie Jonas from Veteran's Memorial Elementary and Teri Maroon from Osceola Elementary. You can learn more about these teachers and the schools they represent by going to the menu bar on our website's home page and clicking on School Information. Also recognized were the 2009 Collier County Teacher's Of The Year: Carey Brisson, Pine Ridge Middle-Collier County Middle School Teacher of the Year; Anne Fredette, Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology-Collier County Post-Secondary School Teacher of the Year; Kimberly Ragusa, Golden Gate High School-Macy's Florida Teacher of the Year Nominee; Martha Voorhees, Gulf Coast High School-Collier County High School Teacher of the Year...and last but certainly not least, Kathy Morrow, Veteran's Memorial Elementary School-Collier County Elementary School Teacher of the Year! The program was presented by The Education Foundation and hosted by Lois Thome from WINK-TV. It will air on May 9th at 7:00 pm and May 10th at 12:00 pm on the education channel, Cable 99. Another organization which is dedicated to bringing together the community and the Collier County schools in order to improve public school education and communication between our schools and the public is called Connect Now! Interestingly enough, over 70% of its members do not have children or grandchildren in the Collier County public school system. These are just hard working participants who understand the importance of education when preserving the quality of life in any community. Again, we are so fortunate to be part of a community who supports such worthwhile goals for our children. I am proud that The Coldwell Banker Cares Foundation supports the Education Foundation. -And, I am also proud that I have been a Collier County School volunteer for 28 years. There is nothing more important than making a difference in the life of a child.