Marea Smith teaches first grade at Steiner Elementary in Portales Municipal Schools.

Kelli Ann Moore teaches 3rd grade at Jefferson Elementary in Lovington Municipal Schools. As the Math Leader for the school, many credit her with Jefferson

Steve Heil teaches art to pre-kindergarten through 5th grade students at Juan de Oñate Elementary in Gallup-McKinley County Public Schools.

Becky Frick teaches kindergarten at Hawthorne Elementary in Albuquerque Public Schools.

LeAnn DeCoeur teaches fifth grade at E.T. Salazar Elementary in Española Public Schools.

Jennifer Chavez-Miller teaches fourth grade at Mountain Mahogany Community School, a charter school in Albuquerque’s North Valley.

Scott Carter teaches fifth grade at San Antonito Elementary in Albuquerque Public Schools. Carter started teaching as a second career, having previously been a

Special education teacher Brita Townsend Judd knows what it's like to struggle as a student, and she uses that experience to the benefit of her students at

Golden Apple teacher Betsy van Dyke was told music teachers don't usually win awards, but as the students who nominated her would say, she rocks.

His kids think Estancia Mid-School history teacher Richard Walker is cool, but being entertaining is only one reason he won a 2009 Golden Apple award.

The classroom of Golden Apple teacher Cindy Lee at Snell Middle School in Bayard is part zoo, part museum and all accomplishment.

Golden Apple-winning science teacher Laura Greer expects her students at Houston Junior High School in Hobbs to set high goals for themselves and is committed