FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, January 31, 2025
– (EON: Enhanced Online News) – Gain
The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Announces the 38th Annual Golden Apple Recognition Program Award Finalists
FORT MYERS, FL (January 31, 2025) – The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools is pleased to announce the 38th Annual Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program 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 thirty finalists. Finalists were surprised in their classrooms surrounded by students, administrators, and fellow educators.
“Teachers are an integral part of any community. They have the profound role of preparing our children for a successful future. As a community we thank and celebrate them. These 30 finalists represent all the outstanding teaching professionals in our Lee County School District!” – Marshall T. Bower, President & CEO of The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools
2025 Annual Golden Apple Award Finalists:
Fatimah Alhassan – Lehigh Elementary
Jeffrey Armsworth – Lexington Middle
Evalea Barrett – Gateway High
Janet Bernard – Harns Marsh Middle
Casey Brown-Baker – Island Coast High
Chelsea Chase – Bayshore School
Paul Chilson – Pinewoods Elementary
Brandie Della-Luna – Oak Hammock Middle
Kristopher Fisikelli – Caloosa Middle
Suzanne Garrett – Veterans Park Academy for the Arts
Catherine Griffin – Dunbar High
Danielle Hopkins – Hancock Creek Elementary
Tina Jacobik – Dunbar High
Elizabeth Jimerson – Patriot Elementary
Ashley Koehler – Cape Coral High
Rachael Mas – South Fort Myers High
Lori Mazon – Trafalgar Middle
Jamie Miller – Harns Marsh Middle
Jennifer Moyet-Nieves – Lehigh Senior High
Leanne Olmstead – Ida S. Baker High
Kelsey Olsen – Edison Park Creative and Expressive Arts
Brittany Owen – Trafalgar Elementary
Ashley Randall – Veterans Park Academy for the Arts
Arial Raulerson – Lehigh Senior High
Jennie Rimes – Gateway High
Patricia Smith – Lehigh Elementary
Laura Trenholm – Edison Park Creative and Expressive Arts
Robyn Webber – Pelican Elementary
Valerie Wieman Starling – Mariner High
Tiffany Wilke – Challenger 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 25, 2025.
Photo taken by Leonard’s Photography. Pictured are Finalists, Foundation Board Members, School District of Lee County School Board Members, Principals and Major Sponsors.
The Golden Apple Teacher Recognition ProgramTM was the first major project founded and developed by The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools. Since its inception thirty-eight years ago, to enhance public education by recognizing and rewarding excellence in teaching, the Foundation has awarded 213 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 us online at www.leeschoolfoundation.org, on Twitter @FoundationLCPS, and Facebook.
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Contact:
Marshall T. Bower
President & CEO
239.337.0433