WDEF News 12 & Bi-Lo recognize 2009-2010 Golden Apple Teacher of the Year
This year WDEF News 12 & Bi-Lo have had the pleasure of going out in our local schools and recognizing the best educators out there.
Mackenzie Johnson
Articles
Battle Academy Chorus performs at the Golden Apple Awards Banquet
The Battle Academy Chorus entertained the guests at the 2011 BI-LO/WDEF News 12 Golden Apple Awards Banquet. The group was led under the direction of Elizabeth Brackin. Presented here is their entire performance.
Howard's Ashley Wilbur helps students succeed through challenges
English teacher Ashley Wilbur uses her classroom to connect with her kids and push them through the tough times.
Berean Academy teacher Geney Watson keeps kids learning
Enthusiasm is contagious and when your excitement is about learning you're a perfect fit in the classroom. At Berean Academy there's a 3rd grade teacher who sends her excitement home.
Woodlawn Elementary's Melody Hilty breaks through autism
Connecting with kids isn't always easy... When those kids have trouble connecting with the world it's even more difficult. But for one special Murray County Teacher there are no barriers.
Brian Kyle makes all students feel important
Students can sense when a teacher really cares. One teacher in McMinn County makes sure all his students feel important. He's this week's Golden Apple Winner.
Gordon Lee High's Mandy Sturdivant encourages kids to succeed
Everyone has that one teacher who really made an impact... But at Chickamauga City Schools there's one teacher who's making an impact in a lot of lives.
Steve Bennett uses current events to teach for the future
When you're teaching middle school students sometimes you have to think outside the box. At Gordon Lee Middle School one high energy Social Studies teacher makes sure his lessons get through.
Marion County's Eleanor Campbell wins Golden Apple Award
Sometimes kids just need someone they can count on... At Whitwell High School students say there's one teachers who's on your side.
Golden Apple Award Winner Dianne Richardson
The Walker County Gilbert Elementary Teacher says her kids feel more like family.
Hixson Middle School's Erica Schmidt inspires future teachers
There are lots of good teachers out there... But not all of them inspire future teachers. This week's Golden Apple nomination came from a student teacher who wants to be just like her mentor.
Lookout Valley's Susan O'Mary makes life lessons fun
Grammar School isn't all fun and games... But at Lookout Valley Elementary one special teacher makes sure her kids have a good time, while they learn life lessons.
Westview Elementary's Jayne Dyar gets parents involved to help kids succeed
Good teachers keep their students motivated... But truly great teachers get the parents involved. At Westview Elementary School one special teacher says she owes her students' success to her wonderful classroom parents.
Daisy Elementary's Lowry Thielges helps every CDC student advance
The best way to succeed in school and in life is to have a good foundation. One Hamilton County Pre-K Teacher makes sure even the kids who are behind come out ahead.
Marion County's Jonathan Parker's personal experiences help kids learn German language & culture
Some of the very best lessons come from life experience... One Marion County teacher uses his language skills to help students to see beyond their four walls.
Grace Baptist Academy's Karen Smith keeps lessons challenging & fun
When your teacher expects a lot, hopefully she makes the lesson fun. At Grace Baptist Academy one special teacher makes sure everyone likes school and learns more than they realize.
Bess T. Shepherd's Beth Botta helps build a love of learning
The best educations start with firm foundations. One Hamilton County kindergarten teacher makes sure her kids start out on top.
Rossville Middle School's Suzan Bradford reaches her students with song
Middle School isn't always easy... But the kids at Rossville Middle School say thanks to one special teacher they have a safe haven filled with music where they can leave their problems behind.
Tyner Academy's Randy Young shows students the big world out there
Teaching geography can be pretty tough, especially when many of your students have never left the state. But at Tyner Academy one student says each kid in her class gets just what they need to learn.
Hickory Valley Christian's Angela Frost's unconventional methods get kids reading
Reading is perhaps the most important foundation for a child's learning. At Hickory Valley Christian School one special teacher makes sure each child learns.
Students say Catoosa Co teacher Michelle Petteys really cares
High School is hard enough... But when students know their teachers care, somehow it gets a little better. At Heritage High School one special teacher gets involved in her kids' lives.
Richard Hardy's Bailey Henley teaches kindergarteners to Recycle
To be a responsible adult is one of the most important lessons we can teach our children. At Richard Hardy Memorial one special teacher thinks it should start in kindergarten.
Nolan Elementary CDC Teachers Jeanne Manley & Amber Napier help children find their gifts
Ms. Manley & Ms. Napier are the first WDEF News 12 Golden Apple winners recognized as a team. Together with their teaching assistants they help more than a dozen CDC students learn & grow.
Woodstation Elementary's Julia Houston inspires students to better things
Every teacher hopes to instill in their students a love for learning. But at Woodstation Elementary one special teacher goes one step further, she's inspiring the next generation of educators.
Ellen Gibson expects her Cherokee Ridge students to be their best
When a great teacher knows what students are capable of they don't accept mediocre... At Cherokee Ridge Elementary kids say one special teacher won't settle for anything less than your best.
Spring City Elementary's Katie Newsome helps students love school
A child's first few experiences with school can set the tone for the rest of their learning. At Spring City Elementary, one special teacher makes sure her lessons stick with her kids.
Tunnel Hill kindergarten teacher Suzanna Stanley helps students love to learn
Kindergarten can be rough for some families... It's the start of a whole new chapter watching your child grow. But a family in Whitfield County says thanks to one special teacher it feels like their child never left the nest.
Northwest Elementary Deborah Swafford is this week's Golden Apple teacher
Most teachers make sure students grasp the subjects they cover in the class. But at Northwest Elementary one special teacher makes sure her students get a well rounded lesson plan.
Golden Apple Award: Linda Cagle
Elementary school is a great spot to learn the basics of education. But at Beaverdale Elementary, one special teacher makes sure her kids learn responsibility.
Golden Apple Award winner Caroline Kirkpatrick loves to inspire students
With all of the tests and complications of growing up, Caroline Kirkpatrick believes parents want a teacher who will love and inspire their child. She gave up a job in the oil industry to follow her passion... one that's making a difference in the lives of the next generation.
Golden Apple Award winner Jack Leather takes class outdoors
Some of Jack Leather's students score so high on college placement test, schools give them college credit. The high school science teacher uses the real world as his classroom.
Golden Apple Winner April Latham keeps kids learning through questions
She jumps in wherever needed.
Web Links To Know
Web links to know
Golden Apple Winner: Mark Sargeant teaches through encouragement
He teaches three grades all at once, but Mark Sargeant's class gets along better than most. That's because he doesn't allow his students to discourage each other.
Get the WDEF News 12 APP and Storm Team 12 Weather APP
Get the WDEF News 12 Mobile APP and Storm Team 12 Weather APP FREE now and get Top Local Stories, weather, sports, and much more when you're On The Go! PLUS, watch local video Weather & News Podcasts on-DEMAND! Click here to learn more & download... or just search "WDEF" in the App Store or Market, and look for the app with our logo.
This week's Golden Apple winner makes sure her students always stay positive
A child's attitude about learning makes all the difference. At Fairyland Elementary one special teacher makes sure her students stay positive no matter what.
Dade Elementary's Greta Haney wins Golden Apple Award
Reaching a child with a disability can sometimes be a challenge. But at Dade County Elementary one extraordinary child says her teacher makes her feel special.
Golden Apple Awards Banquet 2011 - Finalists and Teacher of Year Announced
News 12 has made a commitment to telling positive stories about teachers in our area. And tonight, that commitment paid off for several local educators as the Golden Apple Award finalists and teacher of the year are announced.
Employment Opportunities
Employment opportunities with WDEF News 12
Children's Programming
Information about children's programming on WDEF News 12.