November 15, 2018 Beth Myers

Todays Apple For The Teacher Recipient is Beth Myers from Northeast Elementary School nominated by Gabrielle Smith.

I nominate Beth Myers, 1st grade teacher at Northeast Elementary School, for the Apple for the Teacher Award.  Beth is a true advocate for children.  She has a tremendous heart and compassion for children and leverages their compassion to create a kind and caring classroom community.  She also dedicates her teaching practice to developing her students’ curiosity, creativity and deep thinking.  She understands the critical importance of play as an essential learning tool.  These are qualities I value in an educator.

As our family went through some difficult transitions last year, my son was having challenges in school.  Despite his challenges, the only text messages I got were ones highlighting awesome questions he asked, ideas he had or work he was proud of.  I was so touched by how Beth approached his challenges from a place of amazement about his strengths and curiosity about how he was experiencing school.  By imagining his experiences with compassion, we were able to come up with a plan of how best to support him, one that required her to put effort into shifting her approach in relating to and communication with my son (which is not easy to do!).  He showed significant improvement, both academically and behaviorally, and developed his confidence.

I am so grateful for the time, energy and thoughtfulness she put into supporting my son it was a true act of love and compassion.

November 13, 2018 Jon Dufour

Todays Apple For The Teacher Recipient is Jon Dufour from South Seneca Central School nominated by Beth Huff.

We would like to nominate our 5th math teacher, Jon Dufour at South Seneca Central School. From day 1, he has told the kids they are all teachers in his class since they are all learning together – including him. There are no ‘stupid questions’ and the understanding is that not everyone learns the same way, so if you don’t ‘get it’, the class talks it out until everyone understands. He expects everyone to give their all & doesn’t allow them to cheat themselves with self-defeating attitudes.

Mr. Dufour strives to encourage & excite kids who often have difficulty with math, to challenge themselves & patiently work through the problems, conquering their fears – with him by their side. He teaches the kids they are more than their grades show & they are capable of more than a number on a paper says. One phenomenal teacher,who always has time, making a huge difference -every day. Thank you for all you do Mr. Dufour.

November 8, 2018 Julie Terwilliger

Todays Apple For The Teacher Recipient is Julie Terwilliger from Randall Elementary nominated by Angela Affronti.

I would like to nominate Julie Terwilliger for the Apple for the teacher award. Julie has been teaching for 20 years and is a 5th grade teacher at Randall Elementary School. Julie is always willing to participate in professional development, so she can ensure she gives her students the most engaging learning experience.

Julie spent most of her summer re-writing curriculum to be student centered and project based. She even went to a training for Project Based Learning.  Throughout the year Julie makes sure she includes student voice and choice, technology integration, and relevance in her teaching. Her compassion for children and learning is apparent in her teaching and I am happy to nominate her for this award!

November 6, 2018 Marlo Capoccia

Todays Apple For The Teacher Recipient is Marlo Capoccia from TST BOCES nominated by Tonya Lower.

I would like to nominate Marlo Capoccia, she is a teacher at TST BOCES in the nursing program. Marlo goes above and beyond what is expected from a teacher. She offers her phone number to all students and tells them to call anytime day or night, she goes above and beyond and wants every student to know they are important and is always willing to listen and offer advice when needed. Marlo Capoccia is very deserving of the Apple for the Teacher award.

November 1, 2018 Steve Morgan

Todays Apple For The Teacher Recipient is Steve Morgan from Cortland High School nominated by John Zarcone.

I would like to nominate Steve Morgan, English teacher at Cortland High School for the “”Apple for the Teacher Award””.  Steve is one of the most caring people in the world.  We are lucky to have him on our staff.  Not only are his lessons interesting and fun, but Steve makes real connections with all students in his classes.  He is constantly reaching out to students with needs in the way of family issues, attendance problems, academic struggles, and “”teen life drama””. You will literally NEVER see his classroom empty.

He serves as a shoulder to cry on as well as an ear to listen for anyone who knows him.  This also goes for his colleagues.  Other teachers lean on him for advice and a good conversation.  As a principal, I am always trying to identify adults in the building that students in crisis can connect with to get them back on track; Mr. Morgan is usually on the list.  He is dependable and professional.  In a building filled with amazing teachers, Steve Morgan stands out as one of the brightest that we have to brag about.

On top of all of the wonderful things I have mentioned, Steve is an amazing musician.  He plays in a local band and always volunteers his time and talents to play at school events. I would like to end this nomination letter with a personal “”thank you”” to Steve for the difference he has made in so many young lives.

 

October 30, 2018 Richard Brecht

Todays Apple For The Teacher Recipient is Richard Brecht from Groton School District nominated by Shelby Clark-Shevalier.

I would like to nominate Richard (Dick) Brecht who has been educating children at Groton Elementary School for over 20 years.

Mr. Brecht has a special knack for skillfully evaluating every student in his classroom and finding the right learning style for that child.

He’s extremely talented in motivating the kids in his class, making them feel more comfortable in their own skin, and also making them feel  empowered both in- and out-of-the-classroom.

As a soccer coach, excellent teacher, and overall caring individual, I believe that he deserves the Apple for the Teacher Award and the opportunity to be recognized for  being such a great role model for hundreds of students over the years and showing them what a strong leader with a positive attitude can look like!

Thank you, Mr. Brecht, for all that you do!

 

October 25, 2018 Timothy Hyde

Todays Apple For The Teacher Recipient is Timothy Hyde from Elmira Broadway Middle School nominated by Corissa Hyde.

Timothy Hyde, my father…he has been teaching at Elmira Broadway middle school for 28 years, he’s been involved in athletics and fund raisers and is such a intelligent man. He owns 4-5 other businesses on top of teaching and has three other small children at home. He is the definition of a go getter…but no matter how full his plate is he still finds time to get up every morning to educate kids!

He finds a way to connect with kids through humor, which to me I loved as a student. He makes you feel like you are enough, makes you feel like you’re going somewhere. In school he dedicated himself to my athletics and made sure to make every single game after driving all the way from Elmira to Addison every day. He drove back and forth to Syracuse for college every day on top of working two jobs and never missed a day. He is one of the most dedicated people I have ever met and teaching is his life, whether it’s in the classroom or at home with his children. He goes above and beyond to teach about life and struggles and is a prime example that you might drive a car with two different colored doors and have no money In the beginning but if you’re persistent you can be like him, a successful teacher and businessman with the world in your hands.

This would be such an amazing achievement for him and the icing on top of his last few years of teaching! Being a teacher is one of the most selfless jobs you could do, teachers are the face of our children’s future and I believe my father is a PRIME example of that.

 

October 23, 2018 Karyn Freshwater

Todays Apple For The Teacher Recipient is Karyn Freshwater from Homer Elementary School nominated by Barb Eustice.

I nominate Mrs.Freshwater from Homer Elementary School, Homer NY.  She is an awesome teacher in every way. She helped my son through some tough times when his grandma passed away.  She was always patient with the kids and even moved up with them giving us parents an option to keep her as their teacher or for them to have a different one.  She has been there for my boy through all his struggles along with all the other children in her class.

She showed that she cared and loved the children that she taught.  She would go out of her way to make sure parents could meet up with her during our busy work schedules even if it meant she had to meet you 2 hours prior to her having to be at school.  She always gave all she had in making sure they were learning and was intrigued on the knowledge they had especially my then 7 year old with his knowledge of tornadoes, hurricanes, the titanic, trains and all the wars.

 

October 18, 2018 Corey Wasileski

Todays Apple For The Teacher Recipient is Corey Wasileski from Millard Fillmore Elementary nominated by Kimberly Whiffen.

I would like to nominate Mrs. Corey Wasileski better know as Mrs. Waz from Millard Fillmore Elementary. Where do I begin? Mrs. Waz is beyond a teacher/reading specialist. She has been a rock for my daughter and myself and our Family. My daughter Victoria has had several anxiety issues and has had trouble reading. Mrs. Waz has not only helped her move up her reading level, which is amazing, but she has been a backbone for me to get my daughter to school. There have been several occasions that she not only went above and beyond, but she has also come to our home to get Victoria to school! What teacher do know that will put everything in their own life/work on hold to come into a home to get a child to school?

Last year when Victoria was in 3rd grade, Mrs. Waz along with Mrs. Genson (another amazing teacher) came to our home at least 4 times throughout the school year just to get her to go. Homework has also been a big trigger for Victoria. Mrs. Waz and Mrs. Genson came up with a plan to help Victoria and Mrs. Waz set aside time every morning to complete Victoria’s reading homework from the night before. Victoria looked forward to going to see Mrs. Waz every morning. It helped her anxiety level and got her through the rest of the day.

This year 4th grade has started rough even though Victoria has another amazing teacher Mrs. Weeks. Mrs. Waz has not let it slide by. She has already been to our home getting Victoria off to school. To some Mrs. Waz may just be a reading specialist to me she is by far the most amazing teacher Millard Fillmore could ask for. This is why I feel she should receive the ‘Apple for the Teacher Award.’ Mrs. Waz along with several other great teachers and the administration at Millard Fillmore have been my rock! When I feel like there is no hope and have no idea how I am going to do this for another 8 years this school and Mrs. Waz lifts me up and helps in any way possible to not leave my child behind. From the bottom of my heart and our whole family’s heart thank you Mrs. Waz and Moravia School District for everything you do. It is greatly appreciated! This school ROCKS!!”

 

October 16, 2018 Chris Negus 

Today’s Apple For The Teacher Recipient is Chris Negus from Newark Valley High School nominated by Piper Davis.

I would like to nominate Mr. Chris Negus from Newark Valley High School for the Apple for the Teacher Award. Mr. Negus is my Studio Art teacher and was my eighth grade art teacher.  He is also one of the advisers for our art club, an after-school program which he does in the little spare time he has.

Mr. Negus is very good at what he does and was able to teach me so much about art in just 10 weeks last year.  He has helped me build a passion for art and is always willing to advise me on my artwork, even when I was not in his class.  Mr. Negus teaches me advanced techniques simply, so I can understand it and create nice art work.  My abilities have grown so much in a year- from ‘not-so-good’ cartoon figures to a Best in Show children’s book and third place self-portrait at our school’s art show.  Not only is Mr. Negus an incredible art teacher, but he also has an outstanding sense of humor and so much kindness in his heart. He is mild mannered, and I have never seen him without a smile.  He helped put me on a path to pursuing my dreams and I am so appreciative of that.

Every year for Art Club, he and the other art teacher, Mr. Taylor, plan an amazing trip for the students to go to New York City to see Broadway shows and to see the miraculous MET museum.  That is only a smart portion of the reasons why my art teacher, Mr. Chris Negus, should win a spot in the Apple for the Teacher Awards Thank you. I rest my case, your honor! 🙂

From Piper Davis, 9th grade NVHS

 

October 11, 2018 Stephanie Kibbe

Today’s Apple For The Teacher Recipient is Stephanie Kibbe from Caroline Elementary School nominated by Linda Dickey.

We were extremely nervous sending our 2 and half year son Jaylin to school. He had never been in daycare around other children. His siblings are 18 years older than him and do not live in the house. Lastly, he is speech delayed. We wondered if his new teacher be able to understand our son who is non-verbal

Mrs. Kibbe used our fears as parents. She did a home visit before our son started school. She even allowed us with Jaylin to visit her classroom several times before he started. She provided and still does provide us with constant communication as well as pics of our son.

Since being in Stephanie Kibbe’s pre-k class at Caroline Elementary School our son has flourished. Our son went from a shy student that never said a word to a more confident student that socializes and is beginning to speak.

Mrs. Kibbe is a strengths-based teacher. She focuses on the strength of all her students and looks to build on them as well as incorporate them into the daily classroom routine. She is student centered. She is inclusive and makes sure all students are represented and their voice is heard.

Mrs. Kibbe innovative in her instruction. She does not just have the students play. She has done project-based learning with the students learning about many different topics.

Mrs. Kibbe is an excellent teacher that is worthy of this great honor.

Respectfully Submitted,

Linda, James and Jaylin Dickey

 

October 8, 2018 Amanda Jaye Nauseef

Today’s Apple For The Teacher Recipient is Amanda Jaye Nauseef from the Cincinnatus Central School District nominated by Robin Cataldo.

I would like to nominate Amanda Jaye Nauseef, Music Educator at Cincinnatus Central School. When Amanda came home from kindergarten, she proudly announced that she was going to be a music teacher!

Her elementary school teacher became her mentor- seeing early on that Amanda’s future was enveloping right before her.  I nurtured Amanda’s soul with trips to the Syracuse symphony, SUNY Cortland and Cortland High musicals. She performed early on with Cortland Repertory Theater at age 4. She was talented instrumentally and vocally. After graduating from Ithaca college with dual degrees in music education and bassoon performance, she was hired soon after at Cincinnatus School. Amanda walked into a program in a small rural community and has earned the respect, trust and appreciation of her peers and administrators. She has grown the program substantially- added new opportunities for students to showcase their talents in the community and beyond. All you need to do is talk to anyone in the Cincinnatus community about their music teacher – Miss Nauseef. She brings her love of music to generations- in addition to classroom teaching, she tutors students after school, teaches private instrumental and vocal lessons, performs in the Old Timers Band, and directs musical theater with the Cortland Youth Bureau.

I do not know of many people who declare what they want to do with their life at 5 years old – then stay on that path throughout their life- positively impacting everyone around them.  Amanda radiates her love of music and inspires her students every day.  I smile when I look back at last year’s kindergarten celebration at Cincinnatus School when a student walked up to the microphone and proudly declared ‘When I grow up I want to be a music teacher like Miss Nauseef.’