Evalea Barrett of Lehigh Senior High School has been named a finalist for this year’s Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program. PHOTO PROVIDED

The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools has announce the 35th Annual Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program Finalists.

The finalists, selected by the Foundation’s Golden Apple Selection Committee, were surprised in their classrooms last week, surrounded by students, administrators, and fellow educators.

Among the finalists are four East Zone teachers.

“No other profession has an impact on our future than that of teaching. Teachers are charged with educating our community’s greatest asset, our students, and preparing them for a successful future,” stated Marshall T. Bower, Esq., President & CEO of The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools. “The recognition of the importance of teaching has been underscored over the past couple of years as teachers have gone above and beyond to make sure they are meeting the needs of our students in the midst of a global pandemic. They are truly community heroes and these 30 Golden Apple Finalists are outstanding representatives of all our great teachers”.

2022  Annual Golden Apple Award Finalists:

• Alison Peeling – Bayshore Elementary, Principal Benjamin Ausman

• Mary Leigh Harris – Bonita Springs High, Principal Jeffrey Estes

• Amy Bombace – Caloosa Middle, Principal Ann Cole

• Danielle Fitzsimmons – Cape Elementary, Principal Nicole Osterholm

• Lindsey Dwyer – Colonial Elementary, Principal Eric Washington

• Shelby Massaro – Cypress Lake Middle, Principal Matthew Miller

• Phillip Savage – Dunbar High, Principal Carl Burnside

• Ryan Arciero – Fort Myers High, Principal Robert Butz

• Steven McGinley – Harns Marsh Middle, Principal Alex Dworzanski

• Christina Cerwinsky – Heights Elementary, Principal Douglas Palow

• Amanda Rasnake – Heights Elementary, Principal Douglas Palow

• Leanne Olmstead – Ida S. Baker High, Principal Jami Covert

• Francy Johnson – Island Coast High, Principal Michelle Cort

• Evalea Barrett – Lehigh Senior High, Principal Jackie Corey

• Justine Shaul – Mariner Middle, Principal Rachel Gould

• Brian Blauet – North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts, Principal Andrea Gunns

• Taylor Ashby – North Fort Myers High, Principal Deborah Diggs

• Kaleigh Stewart – North Fort Myers High, Principal Deborah Diggs

• Colleen Herman – Oak Hammock Middle, Principal Jennifer McMillan Barnes

• Kaisha Louis – Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle, Principal Trent Eckhardt

• Paul Chilson – Pinewoods Elementary, Principal Leslie Gunderson

• Danielle Morin – Rayma C. Page Elementary, Principal Valerie Sheckler

• Dana Windey – Riverdale High, Principal Scott Cook

• Caitlin Marzec – San Carlos Park Elementary, Principal Christy Kutz

• Stephanie Osterhouse – Skyline Elementary, Principal Laura Trombetti

• Kevin Schell – South Fort Myers High, Principal Edward Mathews

• Brittany Gonzalez – Tortuga Preserve Elementary, Principal Jennifer Shonak

• Suzanne Garrett – Veterans Park Academy for the Arts, Principal Edwin Carter

• Susan Bruni – Villas Elementary, Principal Shane Musich

• Brittany Griner – Villas Elementary, Principal Shane Musich

Finalists are interviewed and observed in their classrooms by the Golden Apple selection committee, and six teachers are selected as the Golden Apple Award Recipients. The Recipients are honored at the Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Banquet, a black-tie affair being held at Caloosa Sound Convention Center & Amphitheater on Friday, April 29.