12th Annual Golden Apple Awards

Sponsored by Better Living Building Supply & Better Living Furniture

2012 Information Packet and Nomination Form

About the Award

Richard L. Nunley, Chairman, is pleased to announce that Better Living Building Supply & Better Living Furniture is sponsoring the 12th Annual Golden Apple Awards for outstanding teachers in our community's school systems. These awards are presented to faculty members from the public and private schools in Albemarle County and Charlottesville City, including CATEC. Eligible private schools are those that are members of the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS).

The Golden Apple Award is a means of selecting and honoring some of our outstanding teachers. Teachers are most important in nurturing our children's inquisitive minds and preparing them for the challenges of the future.

The Golden Apple Award

One winner will be selected from each school. Award recipients receive a Golden Apple, as well as gift certificates from local businesses. As a "Golden Apple" teacher, each recipient is eligible to receive a $1,000 Golden Apple Grant. Grants are awarded to eight candidates: three elementary, two middle, and two high school candidates, and one from the schools that are members of the VAIS. The grant award is used for classroom materials or to support the recipient's continued professional development. Golden Apple Award recipients will be announced in May.

Nominate a teacher and show your appreciation and support!

Eligibility

Candidates are faculty members at any level (pre-school through grade 12) and in any discipline. Candidates for this award have demonstrated excellence in teaching and involvement in the community outside the school. For more information, see Nomination Criteria.

Golden Apple Award recipients who received this award within the past three years are not eligible for nomination.

Nomination Criteria

The nominee exhibits the following characteristics:

• Creates a love of learning in students of all abilities and backgrounds.
• Stimulates thought and provokes student dialogue.
• Challenges students to reach high standards and expectations.
• Understands the needs of students individually and collectively, and meets those needs with determination, enthusiasm and imagination. 
• Involves families in the education process.

Nomination Process

• Based on the nomination criteria, candidates may be nominated for the Golden Apple Award by colleagues, students, and/or community members. Deadline to submit a nomination: February 29, 2012.
• Nominations must be forwarded to and signed by the school principal for advancement to the selection process (signature obtained in "Part 2" of the nomination form).

Selection Process

• The Selection Committee reviews the nominations and qualifies them for the selection process. 
• One candidate from each school will be selected as a Golden Apple Award recipient.
• Award recipients receive a Golden Apple, as well as gift certificates from local businesses. As a "Golden Apple" teacher, each recipient is eligible to receive a $1,000 Golden Apple Grant. Grants are awarded to eight candidates: three elementary, two middle, and two high school candidates of the public schools in Albemarle County and City of Charlottesville and CATEC, and one from the schools that are members of the VAIS. The grant award can be used for classroom materials or to support the recipients's continued professional development. Golden Apple Award winners are announced in May.

Award Ceremony

Golden Apple Award recipients are invited to a reception in their honor on May 10, 2012, in the Lane Auditorium at the Albemarle County Office Building on McIntire Road. Grant recipients will be selected and announced at the ceremony.

Selection Committee

Co-Chairs: (Appointed by Better Living Building Supply & Better Living Furniture)

• Dr. Kevin Castner, retired Superintendent, Albemarle County Schools
• John Baldino, former Director, Blue Ridge Uniserv and current Hearing Officer for Albemarle County Public Schools

Representatives:

• Rhonda Angel, Parent Council, Albemarle County Public Schools
• Jakki Crocker, Parent Council, Charlottesville City Schools
• Vacant, Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS)
• Dave Oberg, Blue Ridge Uniserv

Questions?

Contact Reeda Deane or Wandae Johnson, Albemarle County Public Schools, at 434-296-5820.

Congratulations to the 2011 Award Winners!

11th Annual Golden Apple Award Winners:

Gwen Hairston, Agnor-Hurt Elementary School
Teresa Tyler, Albemarle High School
Melissa R. Hairston, Baker-Butler Elementary School
James Niederberger, Blue Ridge School
Nancy J. Markos, Broadus Wood Elementary School
Vicki Snead, Brownsville Elementary School
Amy Thompson, Buford Middle School
Barb Pemberton, Burley Middle School
Kathy Umbdenstock, Burnley Moran Elementary School
Susie Golden, Cale Elementary School
Anthony Landon Smith, C.A.T.E.C.
Susan M. Garfinkel, Charlottesville High School
Dawn Y. Reddick, Clark Elementary School
Anne O. James, Crozet Elementary School
Ann Parks, Greenbrier Elementary School
Jeanne D’Antoni, Greer Elementary School
Cindy Carter, Henley Middle School
Julie Lindenbaum, Hollymead Elementary School
Julie Stavitski, Jack Jouett Middle School
Amanda Sherriff, Jackson Via Elementary School
Michelle M. Smith, Johnson Elementary School
Scott Williams, Meriwether Lewis Elementary School
Katina Dudley, Monticello High School
Jean C. Peters, Mountaintop Montessori School
Laura Dewald, Murray Elementary School
Kristin Brubaker, Murray High School
Jane Brennan, Red Hill Elementary School
Kim Passerell, Scottsville Elementary School
Brian Bartholomew, St. Anne’s Belfield School
Cynthia Whitlock, Stone-Robinson Elementary School
Mindy Laubscher, Stony Point Elementary School
Denika C. Gum, Sutherland Middle School
Lydia Horan, Tandem Friends School
Chad Sansing, The Community Public Charter School
Jenna Warner, The Covenant School
Meghan Sweeny, The Miller School
Brenda Payne, Venable Elementary School
Lynne Herman, Walker Upper Elementary School
Kelly Burrows, Walton Middle School
Chuck Witt, Western Albemarle High School
Kate Carlson, Woodbrook Elementary School
Kristie Obrecht, Benjamin F. Yancey Elementary School

21st Century Learning Grant Award Winners:

Lianna Spring, Baker-Butler Elementary School
Rob Dent, Jack Jouett Middle School

11th Annual Golden Apple Grant Award Winners:

Nancy Markos, Broadus Wood Elementary School
Susan Garfinkel, Charlottesville High School
Julie Stavitski, Jack Jouett Middle School
Laura Dewald, Murray Elementary School
Denika Gum, Sutherland Middle School
Jenna Warner, The Covenant School
Lynne Herman, Walker Upper Elementary School
Chuck Witt, Western Albemarle High School