The Golden Apple Teaching Award Published November 18, 2020

(Pictured: Teacher Erin Gerry, Harrah High School, nominated by Jayden Reed) 

In a year of Covid-19 there have been numerous ups and downs for the education system. Now more than ever, Rose State wants to honor outstanding educators with a Golden Apple Award for those who have impacted the lives of students. 

A total of ten educators from around the state received the coveted Rose State ‘Golden Apple’.

The educators were chosen from essays submitted by current Rose State students nominating a specific individual. A total of 65 essays were received highlighting the work of K-12 educators. A committee of Rose State faculty and staff evaluated each nomination for consideration. 

“The Golden Apple Teaching Award is one of my favorite honors we bestow throughout the year. It is difficult to capture the emotion and satisfaction that comes from teachers who have devoted their lives to education being recognized by their former students,” said Lance Newbold, Vice President of Student Affairs at Rose State. 

Students bear all in their essays about their former teachers. One student’s essay reflected on the struggles of depression and how the teacher loved every one of his students the way a father loves their children. Another essay described a struggling home life filled with neglect and not feeling “good enough”, but the actions and words of her teacher made her feel safe, loved, heard and valid- something the essay writer says she did not find in many other places. 

Award recipients include Sheree Baker of Charles Page High School, David Bounds of Little Axe High School, Kayla Gablemann of Harrah High School, Erin Gerry of Jones High School, Rachel Jones of Shattuck Middle School, Brian Muller of Parkview Elementary, Mandi Schneringer of Mid-America Technology Center, Mike Stiglets of Parkview Elementary School, Danielle Taylor of Del City High School and John Wilkins of Oklahoma Christian School. 

Also, Rose State awarded a Legacy Educator recipient for long-time service, Ms. Linda Brown of the Choctaw-Nicoma Park School system. 

Since the inception of the Golden Apple program in 2001, there have been 218 honorees.