Champions For Learning Announces Collier Golden Apple Recipients

Champions For Learning Announces Collier Golden Apple Recipients Mar 18 2026 Six of our outstanding Collier County educators were surprised and honored as this year’s Golden Apple recipients, highlighting their teaching best practices and dedication to elevating the profession. Golden Apple is an educator recognition program implemented by Champions For Learning that unites the community in honoring, thanking and celebrating teachers each year who exemplify teaching excellence. This year, Champions For Learning returned to a beloved tradition of community nominations, allowing students, parents, and members of the community to nominate a Collier County Public School educator for the Golden Apple Award. More than 5,700 Thank-A-Teacher submissions for nearly 1,500 educators were made. Based on community nominations, 58 teachers from 58 Collier County schools were selected as this year’s Teachers of Distinction. These teachers shared their best practices, engaging and innovative learning strategies to support student success, with Champions For Learning's community-based volunteer selection committee. After careful consideration and discussion, the committee identified six educators to receive the prestigious Golden Apple award. Champions For Learning staff, Board members, and selection committee volunteers were joined by representatives from Suncoast Credit Union, Visionary Sponsor of the Golden Apple Program, and Collier County Public Schools to present the Golden Apples. Congratulations to the following 2025-2026 Golden Apple Recipients! Elias Cuevas, Immokalee High School Connie Kinstler, Big Cypress Elementary School Wende Malik, Vineyards Elementary School Shanna Moss, Manatee Middle School Julie Raymond, Osceola Elementary School Stephanie Scalise, Veterans Memorial Elementary School