Golden Apple Foundation of New Mexico

Golden Apple Tribute to Teacher Excellence

Join Golden Apple at the 2012 Tribute to Teacher Excellence:

Friday, March 2, 11:30 am

Embassy Suites, Albuquerque

For information on tickets or sponsorship, call 505.268.5337 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Every guest who joins us at the Tribute to Teacher Excellence will have an opportunity to recognize a teacher who has made a difference in his or her life.

At the Tribute, hear from the seven outstanding New Mexico middle school teachers who have received the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching.

· Tammy Crespin, an art teacher at Madison Middle School in Albuquerque Public Schools. Tammy’s award is sponsored by Duffy and Jean Ann Swan.

· Nathaniel Evans, a math and science teacher at Taos Charter School in Taos. Nathaniel’s award is sponsored by the RK Strong Endowment at the Santa Fe Community Foundation.

· Paulo Oemig, a science teacher at Zia Middle School in Las Cruces Public Schools. Paulo’s award is sponsored by the Goodgame Foundation.

· Gretchen Rockenfield, a language arts teacher at Maxwell Schools, Maxwell. Gretchen’s award is sponsored by Mike and Pat Koldyke.

· Ray Rodriguez, a special education teacher at Lincoln Middle School in Rio Rancho Public Schools. Ray’s award is sponsored by French Funerals and Cremations.

· Lisa Todd, a math and algebra teacher at Taylor Middle School in Albuquerque Public Schools. Lisa’s award is sponsored by Wells Fargo.

· Andrea Yarbrough, a science teacher at Mountain View Middle School in Rio Rancho Public Schools. Andrea’s award is sponsored by PNM.

The Golden Apple Foundation of New Mexico (Golden Apple) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization established in 1994 with a mission for recognizing excellent teachers and improving the quality of teaching.

Each year Golden Apple recognizes seven teachers from around New Mexico with the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching.

The Award winners - Golden Apple Fellows - give back to the profession through the many ways, both formal and informal, in which they mentor and help prepare other teachers. One significant way they give back is through teaching and mentoring aspiring teachers in the Golden Apple Scholars Program.

The Scholars Program provides an annual summer institute to college students preparing to become teachers in New Mexico schools, beginning with their first summer past high school graduation and continuing through to the summer before they begin their teaching careers. The Scholars Program also provides mentoring and continuing professional development once the Scholars begin their teaching careers.

Golden Apple Foundation of New Mexico

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