For the Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD – The Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MACCI) has announced their 2021 Crystal Apple Teachers of Distinction.

The 18th annual Crystal Apple Awards program kicked off in October, completely virtual.

MACCI received a record number of nominations – 1,313 for 347 different teachers. Qualifying nominees’ names were placed on an online ballot and teachers at each respective school voted on their top candidate from their school.

The top vote-getters identified the 25 Teachers of Distinction and those recipients were surprised by their principal who visited their classroom to make the announcement on Nov. 11.

Madison Elementary teacher, Jena Walsh, was named one of the 25 Teachers of Distinction on Nov. 11. Submitted photo

The 2021 Teachers of Distinction are:  Brooke Altman-Nasonville Elementary, Alyssa Anderson-Pittsville High School, Kristie Bangart-St. Joseph’s Stratford, Mark Brost-Auburndale Elementary, Jessica Colloton, St. John’s Primary/OLP, Michele DeCandia-Marshfield Middle, Ruth Fleischmann-Columbus MS/HS, Amber Guldan-Auburndale MS/HS, Brad Helsten-Greenwood MS/HS, Brittney King-Grant Elementary, Amber Kropidlowski-Grant Elementary, Kathleen Mahoney-Marshfield High, Lindsay Meyer-Immanuel Lutheran, Jodi Moore-Pittsville Elementary/MS, Ann Pankratz-Spencer Elementary, Kristine Schwalbach-Lincoln Elementary, Randi Stanley-Neillsville MS/HS, DeAnn Steinwagner-Washington Elementary, Taylor Varsho-Marshfield High, Jena Walsh-Madison Elementary, Daisy Werner-Neillsville Elementary, Ryan Westaby-Granton School District, Danielle Wilke-Marshfield Middle, and Jennifer Wilke-Spencer MS/HS.

These 25 Teachers of Distinction will present their teaching philosophy to a selection team of community members at the end of February and four Crystal Apple winners will be selected. They will be announced on March 2. All teachers will be honored at a May 5 banquet at Hotel Marshfield.