2009 Golden Apple Fellows

Each year Golden Apple recognizes seven teachers from around New Mexico with the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching.

The Award winners - Golden Apple Fellows - give back to the profession through the many ways, both formal and informal, in which they mentor and help prepare other teachers.

These seven middle school teachers were recently named winners of the 2009 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching.

• Crystal Gallegos teaches Language Arts and Technology at Coronado Mid/High School in Gallina, in the Jemez Mountain Public Schools district.
• Laura Greer teaches 7th grade science and integrated science at Houston Junior High School in Hobbs Municipal Schools district, in addition to serving as the school’s science department chair.
• Brita Townsend Judd teaches 6-8th grade special education students at Wilson Middle School in Albuquerque Public Schools district.
• Cindy Lee teaches 7th grade science at CC Snell Middle School in Bayard, in the Cobre Consolidated Schools district.
• Christina Lytle teaches 6th grade language arts, including classes that bring regular and special education students together, at Mountain View Middle School in Rio Rancho Public Schools.
• Betsy Van Dyke teaches band and chorus at Madison Middle School in Albuquerque Public Schools district.
• Richard Walker teaches 7th and 8th grade New Mexico and U.S. history, as well as physical education at Estancia Middle School in Estancia Municipal Schools district.

Each fall teachers are nominated for the prestigious Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. The Award rotates among levels - 2010 winners (nominated in fall of 2009) will be prekindergarten through elementary teachers. Nominations for 2010 winners closed on November 30, 2009.

Source: Golden Apple Foundation of New Mexico