MACCI surprises Crystal Apple Teachers of Distinction

By Kris Leonhardt

Editor

MARSHFIELD — Local teachers were surprised in their classrooms March 14 as Crystal Apple volunteers visited their schools to announce the 25 Teachers of Distinction.

The presentations were part of the Marshfield Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s 15th annual Crystal Apple Awards. The program kicked off at the end of January when volunteers visited 23 area schools to thank teachers and encourage students to nominate their favorite teachers.

After receiving 1,211 nominations for 325 area teachers, peer-to-peer voting was held at each of the schools. The individuals with the leading number of votes were then named the 2017 Teachers of Distinction.

“Every teacher here deserves to be recognized,” said Teacher of Distinction recipient Stacey DeJarlais, a special education teacher at Madison Elementary School. “We work together as a team to make sure that (students) are getting the best education that they can.”

The Teachers of Distinction will next present their teaching philosophy to a selection team of community members. From these 25 individuals, four Crystal Apple winners will be selected.

Crystal Apple winners will be announced early May.

All Teachers of Distinction and Crystal Apple Winners will be honored at a banquet on Oct. 4 at Hotel Marshfield.

2017 Teachers of Distinction

Emily Batterman: Pittsville Elementary

Jessie Bauer: St. John’s Primary

Kathy Beilke: Lincoln Elementary

MacKenzie Bennin: Granton School

Amy Clifford: St. Joseph – Stratford

April Daul: Washington Elementary

Stacey DeJarlais: Madison Elementary

Lara Endries: Grant Elementary

Sarah Freedlund: Pittsville High

Donna Hayes: Our Lady of Peace

Debbie Heidemann: Auburndale Elementary

Jackson Hein: Marshfield High

Jill Helgerson: Immanuel Lutheran

Brad Helsten: Greenwood High

Patti Jennings: Spencer Elementary

Valerie Krall: Nasonville Elementary

Jessica LeMoine: Marshfield High

Dean McFarlane: Marshfield High

Scott Moseley: Greenwood Elementary

Abbi Roehrborn: Spencer High

Terri Schmidt: Marshfield Middle

Amber Schultz: Grant Elementary

Tracey Thompson: Columbus Catholic High

Chad Vanderwyst: Auburndale Middle/High

Mike Wisniewski: Trinity Lutheran School