04/25/2026
Last night I attended the 39th annual Golden Apple Teacher Awards here in Fort Myers - an evening dedicated to honoring excellence and education in the incredible impact teachers have on our community. š
Over 1500 educators were nominated this year⦠A powerful reminder of how many lives are being shaped every day in our schools by outstanding professionals who truly care about our students.
This event was especially meaningful to me, as I was honored to receive the Holden Apple Award in 1999 - and remain the only school counselor to have been selected in the programs history.
What stood out most to me last night was the shared message from educators: the importance of creativity, emotional safety, the arts and supporting the whole childās development in the classroom.
congratulations to all of the Teachers of Distinction, Finalists and Winners.
Our teachers are doing extraordinary work during complex times- and they deserve to be seen, support, supported, and celebrated.
I have such deep respect for the educators who continue to do this work with care and commitment, even a mid real challenges. Teachers do meaningful work every day under increasingly complex circumstances. š
FortMyers