Teachers spend their professional hours providing encouragement and support to their students. The Golden Apple Award, back for a fifth year, provides an opportunity to show appreciation for that service.

Newton Elementary School teacher Gina Gordon in May was named the Golden Apple Teacher of the Year for 2015-16 at the Golden Apple Awards banquet at the Tommy Dulaney Center at Meridian Community College. Being honored as the yearly Golden Apple teacher has yielded many benefits, Gordon said.

“After teaching for 22 years, it’s easy to forget the reasons why you went into teaching all those years ago,” Gordon said. “You definitely know it wasn’t for the money. I love it when students leave my classroom happy, or jump on the bus with a huge smile and say they can’t wait to see me tomorrow. But, it’s also wonderful for the people in the community to understand the struggles and to recognize the teachers in our area. That’s what this award program does.”

Since winning the award, complete strangers recognize her, Gordon said.

“Someone just told me yesterday he saw me on a commercial and thanked me for what I do for the children in the community,” Gordon said. “That recognition is what we need, because sometimes, just like our students, we all need that little pat on the back, that positive reinforcement, that says we are doing a great job, so we can get up the next day and face our challenges.”

The new academic year brings a fresh chance to nominate a teacher from East Mississippi and West Alabama for a Golden Apple Award.

Key sponsors are The Meridian Star, The Meridian Family of Stations Bounce TV & Cozi TV of Meridian, EMEPA, Citizens National Bank, Mississippi Power, Woodstock Furniture, Aotech Computers and Richard Schwartz and Associates.

“Teachers are at the forefront of helping shape the future of our community,” Meridian Star Publisher Alexander Gould said. “Their tireless work makes us all proud at The Meridian Star. The Golden Apple Award is our small way of recognizing how important these professionals are to the greater community good.”

Over its first four years, the Golden Apple Award recognized 36 Teachers of the Month and four Teachers of the Year.

“After nearly 35 years in the broadcasting business, I’ve seen community projects and programs come and go, but never have I seen a program hold the community’s attention and focus the way our Golden Apple Award has,” said Mike Reed, owner of the Meridian Family of Stations. “Beginning its fifth year, we have received over 1,000 nominations for more than 300 teachers from 125 different schools in our area. The response from the community about this program is the best I’ve ever seen. As the owner of these television stations, I am so very proud of this program and all of those that participate to make it the best program for our area educators.”

Instead of school supplies, this year the prizes will be computers, said Susan Ross, general manager and sales manager for the Meridian’s Family of Stations.

“Each monthly teacher who wins will receive a laptop and desktop computer to use as they choose,” Ross said. “They can give it to a student or use it in the classroom. They will also receive a Teacher of the Month Certificate, $300 cash award, and $150 donation to their Adopt a Classroom account.”

The eight monthly winners will be invited to the Golden Apple Teacher of the Year banquet and that winner will again receive a custom made Teacher of the Year Trophy, $2,500 cash to be used at their discretion and a $2,500 scholarship to be awarded to a deserving student in the teacher’s name. The student chosen will also receive a new $1,500 laptop computer.

Bringing education to the forefront is important to improving the community, Ross said.

“This is a program to recognize teachers, but it’s also a program where outsiders see the community and business leaders joining together to highlight and focus on education, and to honor those who are working to help make a better educated workforce,” Ross said.

Meridian Community College, because of its role in hosting the banquet and other contributions, is the presenting sponsor.

“As an educational institution we highly value the importance of good classroom teachers,” said Barbara Jones, MCC vice president of operations. “The solid foundation that they provide for our K-12 school systems is vital to the success that students have as they enter college on the workforce upon graduation.

“The Golden Apple Award Program is a successful partnership with educational entities, businesses, and leaders working together and supporting education and our area teachers.”

Participating sponsors, also, include LaBiche Jewelers, John O’Neil Johnson Toyota, Southern Pipe and Supply, and Meridian Coca-Cola Bottling Company.

Nominate an educator

Nominations for the monthly Golden Apple Award can be submitted by parents, faculty, or community members as well as past of present students. Candidates must be a current, full-time, faculty member in Pre-K through 12th grade (public or private) and working in the following counties: Lauderdale, Neshoba, Kemper, Clarke, and Newton in Mississippi; and Choctaw and Sumter in Alabama.

The nomination process consists of an essay (no more than 500 words) detailing why the person should be considered for the award. Nomination details and an entry form are available online at www.goldenappleawards.com.