Ritchie to Honor 65 Educators WITH Golden Apple Award

RITCHIE TO HONOR 65 EDUCATORS WITH GOLDEN APPLE AWARD

Honorees to be Recognized at Friday Event in Pulaski

In recognition for their dedication to brightening the futures of students in the Central and Northern New York regions, State Senator Patty Ritchie will award 65 local educators with her Golden Apple Award for Teaching Excellence.

Educators receiving the award include those who dedicate their lives to working with students with special needs and individuals who ignite a passion for learning in those they teach to those who have made headlines for safeguarding students and educators who have overcome major challenges to pursue their careers.

“It doesn’t matter who you are, we can all remember a teacher who has made a lasting, significant impact on our life,” said Senator Ritchie.

“That’s what this event is all about—recognizing educators for going above and beyond to make a difference in those who they teach.  I’m pleased to recognize these 65 educators for dedicating themselves not only to their careers, but more importantly, to the students they influence each and every day.”

Last year, Senator Ritchie recognized more than 40 educators from the Central and Northern New York regions through her Golden Apple Award for Teaching Excellence program. Since then, the program has been replicated across New York State by her colleagues in an effort to honor educators.

Golden Apple Award recipients will be honored Friday evening at 5:30 p.m. at a special ceremony that will take place at Pulaski’s historic, newly renovated KalletTheater.  Educators being recognized include the following:

Lisa Balles: Michael A. Maroun Elementary School

Rebecca Ballard: Mexico Middle School

Courtney Belloff-Barker: Black River Elementary

Pamela  Bice: Ogdensburg Free Academy

Helen Bolen: Cleveland Elementary

Teresa Burleigh: Central Square Intermediate School

John Canale: Oswego High School

Linda Carney: Augustinian Academy

Margaret Clemens: Hugh C. Williams High School

Jon Cole: Ogdensburg Free Academy

Danielle Crisafulli: G. Ray Bodley High School

Edward Darrh: Central Square Middle School

Pamela  Delfino: Minetto Elementary

Toby Draper: Wilson Elementary

Fred Ensworth: Oswego Middle School

Aimee Flynn: St. Marguerite D'Youville Academy

Craig Freitag: Thousand Islands Central School

Andrea Gibbs: Pulaski High School

Christine Haessig: Fitzhugh Park Elementary

Bill Hansen: Millard Hawk Primary School

Sheri Hansen: Millard Hawk Primary School

Elaina Hastings-Gauthier: New Haven Elementary School

Renee Hendrickson: Volney Elementary School

Christine Kassian: Lisbon Central School

Julie Kealy: South Jefferson Middle School

Lisa Keegan: South Jefferson High School

Lynn Kellogg: South Jefferson Central-Middle School

Robert Kuba: Indian River Central School

Stacey Landas: Lura Sharp Elementary School

Arlene Laut: Hannibal High School

Shelly Lee: Millard Hawk Primary School

Tina Lewis: Aura A. Cole Elementary School

Carol Livingston: Mexico Middle School

Jennifer Lyons: Millard Hawk Primary School

Suzanne McLean: Ogdensburg Free Academy

Joni Macaulay: Edwards Knox Central School District

Andrea Mason: Mexico High School

Kylee Monroe: General Brown Jr/Sr High School

Lauren Morley: Ogdensburg Free Academy

Sharon Murdock: Heuvelton Central School

Cindy Niles: St. Mary's Parochial School

Deborah Patterson: New Haven Elementary School

Jeanette Perry: Southwest Tech Center BOCES

Stephanie Plaisted: East Side Elementary

Simmone Pone':Brewerton Elementary School

Margaret Pryor: Mexico Elementary School

Jennifer Putman: Ogdensburg Free Academy

Deborah Reddick: Indian River Central School

Tracy Robertson: Indian River Central School

Cheryl Rogers: Oswego High School

Gina Salerno: Lanigan Elementary School

Lisa Sargent: Lisbon Central School

Carol Scaccia: Hastings-Mallory Elementary

Stacie Shaffer: Ed. Center & Paul V. Moore High School

Dianna Shear: Watertown High School

Paul Sornborger: Sandy Creek Central School

Lisa Spereno: Phoenix Central Schools

Paula Straub: Mexico High School

Lynn Tayler: Morristown Central School

Diane Tedford: Lyme Central

Keira Thurheimer: Case Middle School

TaraVanhorn: South Jefferson Middle School

Maria VanPelt: La Fargeville Central School

Barbara vonHoltz: Trinity Catholic School

Sarah Wood: Hermon-Dekalb Central School