Teachers have the significant role in molding our future leaders. Every day, teachers take this great responsibility and implement great ideas to make a difference in our students’ life.

Today, Champions For Learning highlighted those teachers by announcing the Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program’s 2016-2017 Teachers of Distinction. These teachers will continue in the Golden Apple Selection Process. From this group of teachers, five will be selected to receive a Golden Apple Award.

The Teachers of Distinction and the Golden Apple recipients will be honored at the Golden Apple Celebration of Teachers Dinner presented by Suncoast Credit Union on March 31, 2017 at the Naples Grande Beach Resort.

We’d like to thank our presenting sponsor, Suncoast Credit Union and all of the support they provide educators and students. We would also like to thank additional Golden Apple Major Sponsors: Arthrex, CenturyLink, Conditioned Air, Mary Ingram Fund of the Columbus Foundation, Moorings Park, Naples Daily News, and NBC-2 Waterman Broadcasting.

“The Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program recognizes some of the most significant people in our community—teachers,” says Greg Pasanen, Regional Vice President at Suncoast Credit Union. “Our local educators are on the front lines every day. They inspire our children to achieve greatness. It is an honor to be involved in this incredible program as we highlight the teachers who have impacted our students’ lives.”

This years Teachers of Distinction are:

Tara L. Barr Lorenzo Walker Technical High

Staci Haralson Barretta Big Cypress Elementary

Steven Becker Immokalee High

Joanna Campanile & Janell Matos Poinciana Elementary

Brandon Carter Manatee Middle

Kristin Downs Lely High

Susan Ellard Gulf Coast High

Staci Fisher Immokalee High

Anne Fredette Lorenzo Walker Technical College

Ashley Heirls Highlands Elementary

Sabrina Kovacs Lake Trafford Elementary

John Krupp Golden Gate High

Maria T. LaRocco Sabal Palm Elementary

Veronica Mamone Lake Park Elementary

Kyle Manders Palmetto Ridge High

Amanda McCoy Manatee Middle

Kristin Merrill Lake Park Elementary

Joseph E. Merrill Lake Park Elementary

Dawn Peck Lorenzo Walker Technical High

Lindsey Sebela Golden Gate Middle

Stacy M. Smith Palmetto Ridge High

Christina Svec Mike Davis Elementary

Aaron P. Thayer Manatee Middle

Marisa Vessella Gulfview Middle

Amity A. Wyss Manatee Middle

About Champions For Learning™

Champions For Learning™, the education foundation in Collier County is an independent, community-based, non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that makes it possible for our community to impact lives by enriching the environment for student learning through educators and directly with students. The organization has been awarded a four star rating for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency by Charity Navigator. The Education Foundation of Collier County (Champions For Learning) has been ranked among one of the top 25 education foundations in a national study. Become a Champion for Learning and visit www.ChampionsForLearning.org.

About Suncoast Credit Union

Suncoast Credit Union is the largest credit union in the state of Florida, the eighth largest in the United States based on membership and the 12th largest in the United States based on its $7.7 billion in assets. Chartered in 1934 as Hillsborough County Teachers Credit Union, Suncoast Credit Union currently operates 61 full-service branches and serves more than 723,125 members in the following Florida counties: Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Dixie, Gilchrist, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota and Sumter. Since its founding in 1990, the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation has raised and donated over $16 million to organizations and initiatives that support the health, education and emotional well-being of children in the communities that the credit union serves. For more information, visit: suncoastcreditunion.com http://suncoastcreditunion.com/, http://facebook.com/SuncoastCreditUnion or @SuncoastCU.