Schools
Local Teachers Recognized at 8th Annual Crystal Apple Awards
Teachers from Dublin and Pleasanton receive awards nominated and presented by students at an emotional ceremony.
On one of the sunniest and warmest weekends in months, students, parents, teachers, school administrators and members of the community took time away from barbecues, baseball and relaxing in the sun to put on their Sunday best and congregate at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Pleasanton for the 8th Annual Crystal Apple Awards.
Sunday night was a unique opportunity for students to reward teachers for their selfless dedication to inspiring a lifelong love of learning. And as noted by several award recipients, instilling a love of learning in teenagers is incredibly rewarding and sometimes life-changing.
What makes the Crystal Apple Awards unique, and so special for those recognized, is that students make the nominations, a 10-student panel selects winners and students present the awards. The result is an award ceremony that is personal, emotional and sincere. The students who nominated and selected teachers all are from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints seminary, a religious study class held early each morning — 6:30 a.m., when most students are just waking up — before school.
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Any rivalry between , Amador Valley and Foothill High School was not present Sunday as students from each school took the podium and shone a spotlight on their teachers. The focus was on the powerful impact of dedicated education professionals.
Dublin High's recipients for 2011 were both from the English Department. Kathleen MacDonald became a teacher after working as a journalist for 10 years. She joined Dublin High in 1995. Maria Vlahiotis knew from the time she was in elementary school that she wanted to be a teacher;she started her career in South San Francisco before joining Dublin High in 2008. Last year's recipients from Dublin High were Barbara Hall and Julianne Sundstrom.
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There were many moving moments, although one stands out in particular. Foothill High School teacher David Middleton spoke passionately (see accompanying video) on the importance of recognition. He related how seemingly insignificant moments of recognition can change the course of a student's high-school experience. And, fighting back tears, David spoke of his wife's role as a special education teacher and how the challenges she faces on a daily basis are rarely recognized.
This student-led event was bookcased by music — Amador Valley senior Jackie Kartchner played piano to welcome guests, and Foothill senior Meghan Bean concluded the program with a song.
May 1 will be remembered by many as the night Osama bin Laden was brought to justice. For those attending the Crystal Apple Awards, however, the evening will be remembered as a time to recognize the extraordinary influence of passionate teachers.
The 2011 Crystal Apple Award recipients were:
Dublin High School
- Kathleen MacDonald - English teacher (English 1 and AP English Language)
- Maria Vlahiotis - English teacher (English 1 Advanced and English 2)
Amador Valley High School
- Matt Kelly - Mathematics teacher
- Ryan Templeman - Social studies teacher
Foothill High School
- Jeremy Datamore - World history and AP economics teacher
- David Middleton - AP government and AP psychology teacher
Video of each student presentation and remarks from recognized teachers are attached to this article.
