Golden Apple Teacher Awards
The Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program, developed in 1991, honors and rewards excellence in teaching. Each school selects their teacher of the year, who then participates in the selection process. Each year five outstanding teachers are named Golden Apple Teachers and become members of the Golden Apple Academy, a growing association of exceptional educators. Of the Golden Apples, one is named as Marion County’s Teacher of the Year at the February 29 Recognition Gala.
The Public Education Foundation also selects the Rookie Teacher of the Year representing the newest educators in our school district.
2008 Marion County Teacher of the Year
Jennifer Greco
Hillcrest School
ESE, 6-12
University of South Florida – Bachelor of Arts
Years Teaching: 4
“My desire as a teacher is to empower my students with the tools to communicate with the world as well as shape their ability to understand and accept their surroundings.”
2008 Golden Apples
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Chef John Betts
Marion Technical Institute
Culinary Arts
State University of New York – Bachelor of Arts
Years Teaching: 9
“I bring to the classroom an unrelenting belief in the youth of America, and faith in a higher power that can accomplish what I cannot.”
Lana Boulware
Saddlewood Elementary
Second Grade - Language Arts & Sciences
Florida State University – Master of Science
Years Teaching: 19
“My responsibly is to impart knowledge and guide my students. Being a teacher is not just a job to me, it’s my calling.”
Nicole Lambert
Reddick-Collier Elementary
Pre-Kindergarten
Hofstra University – Master of Science
Years Teaching: 6
“My mission is to lead young minds down new paths of discovery, marveling in the joys of learning while realizing anything is possible with education.”
Mary Zorich
Osceola Middle School
Seventh Grade - Mathematics
Moorhead State University – Bachelor of Science
Years Teaching: 23
“By the age of six, I understood what an amazing impact teachers can make for children. I followed in my father’s footsteps after seeing what a wonderful difference he was making in the lives of others.”
2008 Rookie Teacher of the Year
Melissa Lindeman
Belleview High School
Reading, Social Science & ESOL
University of Central Florida – Bachelor of Arts
Years Teaching: 2
“I want to make a connection and make a difference; not necessarily in the world, but in a student’s life. I believe making connections makes a teacher.”
View all Teacher of the Year Nominees
View all Rookie Teacher of the Year Nominees
Thank You to Our Contributing Business Partners
AIG Retirement
Bank of America
Barfield & Associates
Central Florida Community College
Cullison-Wright Construction Corporation
Fabian Dinkins Construction
Florida Credit Union
Merillat
Monroe Regional Medical Center
Sam's Club
Signature Brand, LLC
Sparr Building & Farm Supply
Star Banner
System Components Corporation
Teachers Sharing Answers
Teco People's Gas
Triple Crown Homes
Unity Baptist Church of Anthony
Wachovia Bank
Special thanks to Vicky Gonzalez at Ocala Volvo for providing a 2008 Volvo S60 for Marion County's Teacher of the Year, Jennifer Greco!
