N.M. TEACHERS NOMINATED FOR GOLDEN APPLES

Just 7 teachers will receive an award in the competitive process

Over 130 middle school teachers from 27 towns, villages and cities throughout New Mexico are nominated for prestigious teaching award.

Students, parents, peers, administrators and communities have placed into nomination the names of 139 middle school teachers from 27 towns, villages and cities throughout New Mexico for the prestigious 2018 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching.

These dedicated teachers have been recognized for their exceptional ability to inspire students to learn, think and create, organizers said in a news release.

It is now up to these teachers to enter the second phase of the process in the coming weeks by submitting their own application. These finalists will then receive site visits from the Golden Apple Selection Committee in the fall.

“Getting nominated for the Golden Apple Award is just the first step in a rigorous process,” Golden Apple Foundation of New Mexico

Executive Director Brian O’Connell said in a statement.

“Only seven teachers will eventually receive the award, so it is very competitive,” he said. “Being nominated is an important way for communities to recognize their most exceptional teachers. We are so honored to recognize and celebrate these nominees all across the state.”

The Golden Apple Award will be announced in November. Recipients receive several benefits, including induction into the Golden Apple Academy of Fellows, a generous $4,000 professional development fund and a $1,500 cash prize.

For a complete list of 2018 Golden Apple nominees, or to nominate an elementary school teacher for the next award cycle, visit www. goldenapplenm.org.

Organizers said that 73 of those teachers nominated are from 38 schools in the greater Albuquerque area. Some 49 teach in APS middle schools, two teach in private schools and five teach in charter schools.

The nominees are joined by one teacher from Bernalillo Public Schools, one from Moriarty Municipal Schools, 11 teachers from Rio Rancho Public Schools and four from Rio Rancho charter schools.