WBMS teacher wins 2010 Golden Apple Award
These are the words of Katie Sandlin, 6th grade U.S. History teacher at William Byrd Middle School. Her dream of teaching became a reality nine years ago. Now Sandlin can celebrate a new dream come true.
That’s because Katie Sandlin has received the 2010 Golden Apple Award from the Roanoke County Public Schools Education Foundation.
Each year, teachers from across Roanoke County Public Schools are nominated by students, parents, co-workers and administrators to receive the highest award presented to a teacher by the Education Foundation. This year, 113 teachers were nominated to receive the award – 20 teachers were named as semi-finalists.
In addition to the Golden Apple Award, the Education Foundation also named three Golden Apple finalists, one for the elementary school level, one for the middle school level and one for the high school level.
The Golden Apple finalists are:
• Catey Moretz – Oak Grove Elementary 5th grade teacher
• Beth Sellers – Glenvar Middle School science teacher
• Alan Strecker – Northside High School German teacher
The Education Foundation also recognizes a new teacher who has taught in Roanoke County for three years or less. This is called the Green Apple Award.
The winner of the 2010 Green Apple Award is Rick Marciniec, a math teacher from Hidden Valley High School.
“We are so proud of all the teachers at Roanoke County Public Schools,” said Education Foundation Chairman Troy Kincer. “The Golden Apple Award recognizes the best of the best. Our judges were extremely impressed with all our finalists. It was a very difficult choice to select a winner,” Kincer said.
In addition to receiving a check for $3,000, Sandlin received a surprise bonus award – the use of a brand-new 2011 Hyundai Sonata for one year, courtesy of First Team Hyundai.
“We want the community to embrace education and recognize the dedication of our teachers. This is one small way we can help teachers know how much they are appreciated,” said David Dillon, President and General Manager of First Team Auto Mall, who chose “teacher apple red” for the color of the car. It also comes with custom license plates that read GR8- TCR. (Great Teacher). We are so pleased to be able to draw some attention to the outstanding education our students receive in Roanoke County.”
About the Roanoke County Education Foundation:
The Roanoke County Education Foundation was created in 1991 as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization to help young people in Roanoke County Public Schools meet some of their educational and personal goals. Our mission is to promote the advancement and further the aims and goals of Roanoke County Public Schools through the development and application of donated financial resources. We provide student scholarships for graduating seniors; classroom grants for innovative teaching ideas; assist with student travel to attend state and national competitions; provide resources for international education; and assist students in remedial education and substance abuse programs.
Since our inception, we have provided more than $620,000 in scholarships to 997 graduating seniors; more than $130,000 in classroom scholarships to more than 850 teachers; and more than $260,000 to support travel and educational programs. In all, that’s more than one-million dollars in support the teachers and students at Roanoke County Public Schools.
Support for these programs comes from corporate and private donations. To make a donation, go online to http://www.supportroanokecountyed.org or call Jean Wynn at 540-562-3900 ext. 10113.
(Last updated 4/21/10)