TEACHER RECOGNITION AWARD
Every year, starting in 2012, the Golden Schools Foundation awards two Golden-area teachers with a Teacher Recognition Award. Winning teachers receive:
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$1,000 to spend in their classrooms,
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Recognition through the Golden Schools Foundation, and
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A beautiful crystal apple to celebrate their contributions to our schools.
The 2026 nominees were so strong that our selection committee expanded our recipients. We are thrilled to announce that we have awarded three Teacher Recognition Awards this year!

Congratulations to our 2026 Winners!
Previous Winners

Ms. Ishmael excels at adapting her teaching to individual learning styles, transforming academic frustration into confidence through personalized and creative strategies. By fostering a classroom culture of curiosity and risk-taking, she encourages students to become independent thinkers who value both their own strengths and the growth of their peers. Congratulations and thank you, Ms. Ishmael!

Mr. Sanchez brings 6th-grade learning to life through creative projects and real-world connections that challenge students to think critically and prepare for the future. He prioritizes emotional well-being by fostering a supportive classroom environment, using intentional daily check-ins to ensure every student feels seen and valued. Congratulations and thank you, Mr. Sanchez!

Mr. Miller creates a joyful and welcoming environment where he balances warmth with high expectations to set a lasting foundation for academic excellence. By providing thoughtful, personalized feedback and adapting the curriculum to meet students where they are, he consistently helps the majority of his class reach or exceed grade-level goals.Thank you for 13 years of teaching kindergarten at Shelton, Mr. Miller!

Previous Winners by School

Previous Winners by Year
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2025: Kara Boone (Ralston), Megan Savage (Kyffin)
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2024: Darilyn Skanderbeg (Shelton), Kim Walters (Shelton)
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2023: Shealyn Crocombe (Ralston), Susan Kelly (Kyffin)
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2022: Heidi Tietjen (Bell MS), Jesse Swift (GHS)
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2021: Gabrielle Heier (GHS), Suzanne Covington (Kyffin)
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2020: Barb Casanova (Bell MS), Sue Gilmore (Mitchell)
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2019: Natalie Fish (Welchester), Patti Nielson (Mitchell), Rob Phillips (Mitchell)
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2018: Jennie Clarke (Kyffin), Andrea Pless (Kyffin)
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2017: Jon Bromfield (Ralston), Nicole Perry (Shelton)
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2016: Willow Seely (Kyffin), Laurie Wingert (Shelton)
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2015: Shannon Garvin (Golden HS), Joe Johnson (Shelton)
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2014: Jayson Haberkorn (Bell MS), Jessica Somers (Ralston)
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2013: Kira Jones (Welchester), Robin MacKinnon (Mitchell), Jeanie Maurer (Golden HS), Kara Tice (Ralston), Travis Walters (Kyffin)
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2012: Carl Berg (Mitchell), Mary Ford-Doherty (Pleasant View), Cheryl O’Haire (Shelton), Brian Van Voorhees (Bell MS)
