2000 Golden Apple Award Winners

2000 Golden Apple Award Winners

INDIVIDUALS

Alina C. Fuentes, Spanish Teacher, Snohomish High School, Snohomish

Alina C. Fuentes excels at instilling a passion for learning in her students. In Alina's classroom, students' minds are opened to the wonders of the world as they become immersed not only in learning the Spanish language but in learning about cultures and ways of life in Spanish-speaking countries. Alina has turned Snohomish High's Spanish program into one of the best in the state, with high enrollment and academically challenging curricula that engage and inspire students. She has established a Spanish 103 class and a Spanish Advanced Placement program that make it possible for students to earn college credit for their high school studies. She has worked tirelessly to provide the Snohomish community with opportunities for multicultural experiences, helping to coordinate educational exchanges with Germany and China and creating the International Dinner Fest, an event featuring foods and music from around the world. Thanks to her support and encouragement, many of Alina's students have gone on to travel and study abroad, carrying with them an appreciation for other languages and cultures and a lifelong love of learning.

Mario Alberto Godoy-Gonzalez, English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher/Soccer Coach, Royal High School, Royal City

Mario Godoy has opened many doors for Hispanic students at Royal High School. He teaches six subjects-world history, math, physical science, biology and two levels of English-using Spanish as the background language to help students develop and improve their linguistic skills. After two years in Mario's ESL program, Hispanic students are better prepared to succeed in mainstreamed classes that are taught only in English. Mario encourages his students to learn both inside and outside the classroom, through involvement in school elections and out-of-school activities, and through field trips to conferences, colleges and businesses. He works with Hispanic parents on finding new ways to help their children after graduation, and he has assisted a number of Hispanic students in obtaining scholarships. Mario has removed the language barriers that once left many Hispanic students at risk of withdrawing from school and has helped build bridges of understanding between the Hispanic and Anglo communities of Royal City.

Terri Stone, Language Arts Teacher, Eckstein Middle School, Seattle

In her classroom, Terri Stone has created an environment that encourages students to feel excited about writing-an environment that banishes "inner critics" and fosters confidence. For Terri, success is about taking pride in one's work. She inspires her students to "toot their own horns" as they grow in their understanding of the power of language. Through Seattle Arts & Lectures' "Writers in the Schools" program, Terri brings established writers into the classroom, introducing her students to a variety of writing techniques and broadening their understanding of self-expression. The collaborative process she creates with these writers inspires students to look at the world around them differently and to share experiences they haven't shared before. In one of Terri's classes, for instance, students composed and performed plays that explored such difficult topics as family conflict and religious issues. Combining innovative teaching methods and constructive feedback, Terri has turned her classroom into a creative haven in which students not only learn how to write-they learn about themselves and about each other.

Christine Traber, Music & Drama Teacher, Horizons Elementary School, Olympia

"She makes math really fun." "She inspired me to learn." "She is the best teacher EVER!" This is just a sampling of the praise Mary Moore's third-grade students have for her. Mary teaches a diverse group of children — some of whom speak English as a second language and some of whom have learning disabilities — and she does it with enthusiasm and imagination. Mary's students are intrigued with learning because her lessons are relevant to their own experiences. She challenges all of her students to perform to the best of their abilities, to self-manage their time, and to help and encourage each other as they work together on research, writing and hands-on projects. For the past several years, Mary's class has partnered with classes in the United States and abroad in an Internet exchange program that hones creativity, writing and drawing skills and builds a sense of community. She transformed Jason Lee's annual Science Fair from a competitive event that attracted relatively few entries into a highly successful noncompetitive Science Extravaganza; this year's event encompassed projects from nearly every student. Mary also spearheaded the development of a science celebration that has become the school's best-attended family evening event. Both in and out of the classroom, Mary has developed new and innovative ways to inspire young minds.

PROGRAMS

Community Education and Lifelong Learning (CELL) Center, Aberdeen School District

Impacted by a sharp drop in the timber and fishing industries, Grays Harbor County is experiencing unemployment rates that are double the state average. The Aberdeen School District has taken a leadership role in tackling the challenge of unemployment by spearheading the establishment of the Community Education and Lifelong Learning Center. The CELL Center was created with a major grant from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and has received additional support from local government, the education community and area businesses. The Center is dedicated to bringing high-technology services and educational opportunities to every person in the area. On-site classes and distance-learning services provide students, educators and community members with a variety of opportunities to further their education and build vocational skills. Programs provided by Grays Harbor Community College and mentoring opportunities offered by business and industry partners help students build entrepreneurial skills and prepare for the work environment. Involving all sectors of the community, the CELL Center provides students with a rich and diverse educational experience.

EMPIRE Program, Yakima

When youngsters are hurt by prejudice in school, they can suffer scars that last a lifetime. Guided by a leadership team from Heritage College, the EMPIRE Program seeks to address the problem of prejudice by providing multicultural education services to elementary and secondary schools in Central Washington. Begun a decade ago with a grant from the Ford Foundation, EMPIRE has proven highly effective in fostering cross-cultural understanding and appreciation. At each of the participating schools, an EMPIRE team consisting of educators, students, parents and community members works together to create a prejudice-free learning environment in which children of all backgrounds can be successful. EMPIRE's programs and activities include student exchanges that bring together youngsters from diverse cultural and economic groups; workshops that sensitize school staff and faculty to diversity issues; classroom discussions of prejudice and discrimination; translation of school handbooks so that all parents can be more involved in education; multicultural events and essay contests; and training of student leaders in multicultural awareness and conflict resolution. EMPIRE schools report that discipline referrals have declined, stereotypes are breaking down, cross-race friendships have formed, members of different groups are working and playing together for the first time, parent involvement has more than tripled, and community relations have improved.

World Affairs Council Global Classroom, Seattle

Sponsored by the World Affairs Council under the auspices of Educational Outreach Director Nancy Bacon, the Global Classroom promotes citizenship in the global community, helping students expand their view of the world and their connection to it. The program brings international visitors-dignitaries, journalists, business people and others-into Seattle-area schools to share their cultures and speak about key international issues. Students are afforded a unique opportunity to connect classroom topics such as foreign policy and global trade with real people who are experts in the international arena. The Global Classroom program also helps secure funding for global experiences such as international videoconferences and provides professional development training for teachers. The monthly Global Classroom newsletter provides curriculum ideas, news about teacher training opportunities and other international education information to more than 800 teachers in western Washington. The Global Classroom brings the "real world" directly into schools, putting a human face on important issues and breaking down stereotypes. Reaching beyond textbook lessons, students become actively engaged in learning and better prepared for life in the global community of the 21st century.

Immunex Corporation Science Education Program, Seattle

The Science Education Program at Immunex aims to promote scientific literacy for all students and to encourage young people to pursue careers in science. Directed by Science Education Manager Janis Wignall, the program provides tours of Immunex research labs for students and teachers, and brings Immunex scientists into classrooms to talk about their work as scientists and to engage students in hands-on, inquiry-based learning. The Science Education Program donates lab supplies and equipment to schools and, through the annual Crystal Awards, recognizes local science teachers with grants that can be used to buy materials to support the teaching of biotechnology. Each year, the Science Education Program provides professional development opportunities for 100 science teachers-enabling them to hone their skills by working with scientists in a real lab setting-as well as Job Shadow opportunities for 50 students. The program has contributed key funding for the creation of a Biotechnology Academy at Ballard High School, a potential model for the Seattle school district. Through its Science Education Program, Immunex has turned its commitment to quality science education into thoughtful, productive action that is making cutting-edge science accessible and engaging to thousands of students.

Shared Reading Video Outreach Project, Puget Sound Educational Services District, Burien

Funded by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and operating out of the Puget Sound Educational Service District in Burien, the Shared Reading Video Outreach Project brings the joy of reading to youngsters who face special challenges in learning to read and write. The program, the only one of its kind in the nation, helps deaf children improve their literacy skills and provides training in reading-related sign language skills to their families and educators. Under the auspices of project manager, creative director and lead tutor Howie Seago, the project uses the interactive videoconferencing capabilities of the state's new K-20 technology system to connect tutors with deaf children, family members, teachers and other care providers in 21 mostly rural sites across the state. Tutors and participants are able to see and talk with each other on "TV"; they read popular children's books together and engage in lively, interactive discourse. Fluent in American Sign Language, the tutors demonstrate story-signing techniques and how to connect signed concepts with English text. By opening new doors to literacy for deaf students and empowering the adults in their lives to help them build language skills, the Shared Reading Video Outreach Project has proven to be a valuable lifeline for deaf children, their parents and educators.

STANLEY O. MCNAUGHTON GOLDEN APPLE AWARD

Eric Benson, Principal, Nathan Hale High School, Seattle

As a school leader, Eric Benson has made it his mission to ensure that all students become honorable, thinking, skillful citizens. During the seven years he has served as principal, Nathan Hale has become a model of innovation and reform, has increased academic achievement and has seen significant increases in scores on standardized tests. Eric has involved both staff and students in a collaborative approach to decision-making and problem-solving, with students participating as full and equal voting members of the school governance. Nathan Hale has forged vital relationships with partners in the community, providing students with school-to-work opportunities and other valuable "real world" learning experiences. Eric has implemented ninth- and tenth-grade academies that incorporate interdisciplinary curricula and provide intense mentoring to an age group that historically has the highest dropout rate. The school leads the district in requiring 60 hours of community service for graduation, and juniors complete Community Action Projects designed to demonstrate that they can effect positive change. Under Eric's leadership, Nathan Hale has become a community of learners in which each member is a reflective practitioner.

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The KCTS Golden Apple Awards are sponsored by KCTS Television and are made possible through funding from PEMCO Insurance.