Academy of Teachers

Through the support of the Collier County Education Foundation, the Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program was developed Five Golden Apple Teachers, as well as 35 Teachers of Distinction, have been selected and honored by the community each year since 1991. After a nomination procedure, this process involves extensive observation, interviews and a written application. The five Golden Apple Teachers and the Collier County Teacher of the Year join informing the Collier County Academy of Teachers. Each group participates as active Academy members in an extraordinary "think tank" for three years and afterward achieves alumni status.

The Academy meets monthly to first determine yearly goals and then strive to accomplish those goals. The goals focus on enabling public education to be more successful The Academy has sponsored many activities to publicize and support an imperative for reading proficiency and is still active in this endeavor as well as many other educational areas.

The Academy members and dates of induction are as follows:

1991 - Tracy Ansteth, Mary Cunningham, Wayne Pringle, Pamela Storrar, David Stump, and Teacher of the Year Mary Lenick.

1992 - Thomas Bligh , Sharon Camp, William Cecil, Arliss Perriello, Marta Suarez, and Teacher of the Year William Zwicker.

1993 - James Daniels, Evalyn DeShields, Steven Matthews, Debora Mosby, Donnamarie Pensabene, and Teacher of the Year Janet Buras.

1994 - Rosa Bacon, Nancy Brisson, Jon Mazeroski, Jeanne Nealon, Dr. Jory Westberry and Teacher of the Year Pat Scherer.

1995 - Barbara Davies, Karen Davidson-LaPorte, Molly Godley, Kathleen Milito, Suzanne Shreeve, and Teacher of the Year Claudia Simmons.

1996 - Patty Demarest, Judith Evans, Michelle Nash, Lynda Stewart, Susan Westley, and Teacher of the Year Thom Croce.

1997 - Marylou Andrews, Dr. Nancy Beights, Thom Croce, Pam Henry, Bob Parker, and Teacher of the Year B.T. Bean.

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