Golden Apple Awards

FOX 66, Pioneer Sugar and your neighborhood Mid-Michigan Ford dealer present the Golden Apple Awards recognizing outstanding Mid-Michigan K-12 teachers!

We have now posted all nominated teachers for voting! Vote for your favorite teacher below and then tune in on Wednesday March 7th to "FOX 66 News at 10" for the announcement of the winning teacher! The winner will receive a FOX 66 Golden Apple Award in their name and will be recognized for their tremendous work on FOX 66 throughout March!

Click here for the official rules.

The Nominees

	Allen Murphy High School Math Teacher at Swartz Creek High School I was a student of Mr. Murphy's my senior year in his calculus class. He was by far the most helpful teacher that I had while completing K-12 at Swartz Creek. He tried and succeeded, in my opinion, at making every lesson easier to understand. He was very down to earth and easy to approach for help. He deserves this award because he is passionate about his profession, prepared me for upper level math in college, and because he made his class the one that I looked forward to attending every day.
	Amy Baldwin Art and Computers Teacher at Saint Paul Lutheran School - Millington The teacher I believe deserves the Golden Apple Award is Mrs. Baldwin from Saint Paul. She taught art and computer learning. She did an after school project where certain students would give up some of their own personal time to draw pictures for orphans overseas. Mrs. Baldwin is a kind, caring, and understanding person. Mrs. Baldwin not only taught Computer learning class but she also taught art. She loved how technology would develop and teaching us about the different things happening in the world. It was more than a computer class; it opening my eyes to certain things. One day she showed us that problems other children faced in certain countries overseas. It opened my eyes to how lucky us kids over here were. That inspired me to learn more and to try harder in the work that I put into projects. Art wasn't just a class either; it was a passion, life, and art. She loved teaching about the different types of art styles and letting us be creative in our own way while still following the guidelines. It really was a passion. The fun was when we had a free moment to do any art project we like. She is one of the reason I kept drawing. She loved watching us grow in life and art, and she put in effort and passion in everything she taught. That is why she will always be one of my favorite teachers.
	Amy Ostrander Social Studies Teacher at Lapeer West High School Mrs. Ostrander's hobbies and interests are reading, shopping, water sports, boating and scrap booking. Her pet peeves are unmotivated people and people who do not value an education. Her work experiences include teaching at Flint Central High School and Lapeer West High School. Some of her favorite things are sleeping late, good books, and playing with her children. She encourages her students to do there best because they owe it to themselves.
	Amy Pfaff-Biebel 7th & 8th Grade Language Arts Teacher at Unionville-Sebewaing Area Middle School Mrs. Amy Pfaff-Biebel has a unique way of combining learning with heart. She was almost everyone's favorite teacher. This doesn't mean she let the kids run over her! Kids knew she meant business, but she never had to lose her temper. She kept control just by the interesting way she taught. She would combine her own life lessons and share what she had learned with us. She also asked our opinion and genuinely cared about what we had to say. She always tried to make things fun. She's very encouraging to everyone and always ready to help anyone if they needed it. She's very, very patient with us. One of the things that I liked most about her was that she actually knew us each personally and not just as a class. She knew more about us than just our name and grade. At the beginning of the year, she handed out these papers that analyzed what ways we learned best, like if we had photogenic memory or if we learned better by listening and taking notes. I am sure that Mrs. Biebel would be very shocked and excited to get the Golden Apple Award, and I don't know a teacher more deserving!
	Angela Jacobs High School Algebra Teacher at Chesaning High School Mrs. Jacobs is a teacher that goes the extra mile for all her students. The past two years she has been assigned to teach Algebra I and Algebra II classes that involve at-risk students, as well as all special education students. She has taken the challenge of making sure all students learn the material and that everyone feels welcome to ask questions in her classroom. She makes math something that all students feel they can be successful at. Coming into her classroom, most of the students she works with have a very negative outlook on math. She has a special way of motivating each of her students and pushing them to actually achieve their potential. Mrs. Jacobs takes the time to type up note outlines for each section she covers to help touch on the different learning styles of her students. Mrs. Jacobs is a teacher that will be remembered by all her students. She is one of the most caring and compassionate teachers to have the pleasure to work with!
	Barb Hunter High School English and Spanish Teacher at Arenac Eastern School District Ms. Hunter is an amazing individual. Let's just say she does her homework. When we read a story in English class, she gives us background information from her past experiences of reading the book. She knows how to translate an Old English book to modern high school student language. In addition, her Spanish classes are very interactive. From food to crafts to cultural field trips, she does it all for us. Not only is she a teacher, but also an adviser for many school clubs. From PAL to Spanish Club to Teen Institute to Drama Club, she has it covered. We do appreciate her time and hard work, and this is the least we can do for her.
	Barbara Tilt 9th - 12th Grade Health, Family Living, Social Studies, Career Pathways Teacher at Unionville-Sebewaing Area High School Mrs. Tilt has been teaching for eight years, and deserves this award. She cares for her students a lot. She is the only teacher that I feel comfortable enough to talk to. You could tell her anything and she wouldn't gossip about it. When she teaches, she makes if fun. She understands her students and always does her best to help them with anything. She's the kind of teacher that gives you extra time to complete any of your assignments. She would do anything for anyone in a heartbeat. She will stand up for you and be by your side. She really loves her job and all her students. She's funny, smart, awesome and always in a happy-perkiness mood. I really hope she wins the award, not only because she is the coolest teacher the world has ever know, but because she deserves it. She works hard, gets things done in class, and is just a fun loving teacher.
	Brad Erlenbeck 8th Grade Math Teacher at Swan Valley Middle School Mr. Erlenbeck is an outstanding math teacher who understands the value of the total school program. In addition to his teaching assignment, Mr. Erlenbeck coaches the 7th and 8th grade basketball teams, teaches our student productions course where he manages our Facebook page, daily video announcements, yearbook and special projects. He also is our special projects director, including the coordinator of our staff mock rock performance, is the MC for assemblies, and started a remedial math program after school for at risk students. Mr. Erlenbeck is an asset to Swan Valley Middle School and is deserving of the Golden Apple Recognition.
	Brenda Beckman 6th and 7th Grade Mathematics at Linden Middle School Ms. Beckman is a dedicated veteran teacher. She is committed to continually searching for the best practices to assure high levels of student achievement in mathematics. This year, Ms. Beckman is incorporating Standards-Based grading. With this, she provides various opportunities for students to meet learning goals. This requires her to work before and after school and during lunch, providing students additional instruction. It is typical for Ms. Beckman to be at school until 7:00 PM four days a week. Above and beyond academics, Ms. Beckman promotes the belief that "Success begets Success." When students experience success in any class, they believe in themselves and work harder to do better. Ms. Beckman offers class time to explore math concepts through games and hands-on activities, making math fun! She lives the understanding that students need to know a teacher cares before they care what you know. She fosters positive relationships and strives to create a classroom that is safe, allowing students to ask question and take risks without fear of ridicule. Ms. Beckman is an important piece of the success of the middle school. She understands the social, emotional and intellectual needs of adolescents, and she is an advocate for the students and a strong voice among staff.
	Carol Roderman 1st Grade Teacher at Gates Elementary - Davison Mrs. Roderman taught our son when he was in the first grade and we love her so much that we requested her for our daughter, who is now in her class this year. She is incredibly sweet and patient, yet she demands respect. She has that wonderful "old school" way of giving a look that lets her students know she's in charge, yet she is caring and sensitive to their needs as well. I only wish that she could teach all of my children K-12. No matter how many times I tell her "thank you" or how much I appreciate her, it will never be enough. She truly is the greatest!
	Cathy Houghtaling Kindergarten Teacher at Chatfield Elementary School - Lapeer Cathy is a wonderful teacher that has spend the past 30+ years going above and beyond to ensure her students learn everything they can and have fun doing so. Every week she does a letter and/or color day. Each student brings in bags of show and tell items that either start with that letter or are the color. Cathy dresses from head to toe, matching the letter or color. This includes anything from crazy hats, face paints, goofy slippers, and wigs. She makes jello to go with each color. When all the colors have been taught, she stays up all night making rainbow jello, color by color. Cathy is definitely not afraid to act silly to help her students to learn and develop to their full potential. On Bubble Day, her students do different activities to learn about bubbles, one of which her student steps inside a hoola hoop and a bubble is made around them. At the end of every school year, Cathy throws a pool party for all the kindergarten students going to 1st grade. Cathy spends her summers writing all her up-coming students, introducing herself and welcoming them, giving them the chance to get comfortable with her. It helps make the scariness of starting school not so bad. Cathy believes that good interaction with both parent and student are very important. Parents are always welcome to stop by the classroom, and are encouraged to help out in the classroom. Cathy deserves to be recognized for all her hard work.
	Chris Deming Band Teacher at Swan Valley Middle School Mr. Deming is a really good teacher because he works with us in our band room until we get it right. He is also very funny, but he is also very serious. I hope he can be picked for the Golden Apple Award.
	Christina Palinsky 11th-12th Grade English Teacher at EAJ High School - Mt. Morris Mrs. Palinsky is the best teacher to me because she loves teaching English. Through the years, she has given me the courage and ability to write my poetry and get them published. She is a very swell and sweet person. She cares about all her students and everyone around her. She makes teaching so much fun.
	Daniel Beringer 5th - 8th Grade Science Teacher at Christ the King Lutheran School - Sebewaing Mr. Daniel Beringer has been a teacher at Christ the King Lutheran School for over 20 years. Mr Beringer (Mr. B.) deserves this award because he makes learning fun, he explains things in a way that students can understand, and he grades assignments quickly. Mr. B. makes learning fun by using games to review information for test. These games really helped me remember the facts I needed to know. He also had many hands-on labs and activities in class, which kept me engaged in learning. Some topics in school are difficult to understand. Mr. B helped us with this in several ways. he required us to take lots of notes during class. He also made sure to review things in class that we had trouble with on a test or quiz. This way, he made sure we really understood things before we moved on to something else. When I take a test, I really like to know how I did as soon as possible. With Mr. B., this was no problem. Often, we would take a quiz in class and he would have them graded by the end of the hour. Other assignments he usually corrected and returned within one or two days. I think that this shows that Mr. Beringer respects his students. Mr. B. is probably the best teacher I ever had. I strongly recommend that Mr. B. be given a Golden Apple Award.
	Darlene Rierson 9th - 12th Grade Algebra 2, Functions, Statistics, Trigonometry and Pre-Calculus Teacher at Unionville-Sebewaing Area High School Mrs. Rierson makes math extremely simple and easy to grasp when learning new concepts. She cares more about her students than any other teacher I've seen or heard about. Mrs. Rierson shows that she loves her job and enjoys being in school and working to help improve other young adults' skills. She always teaches with a smile glowing upon her face. She makes class interesting by sharing new techniques and helping everyone out. She's enthusiastic about learning and making sure her students do well to help them go to college or even how to use concepts later on in life. Students of Mrs. Rierson are never afraid to ask question because they know she likes teaching and giving new tips. She stays after school, at lunch, or at any time of the day. On her own time, she'll be waiting in her classroom, ready to support others. Mrs. Rierson is always professionally dressed and appears ready to teach. Darlene Rierson is a great teacher with an awesome personality. She has helped many students to do well in math and many other areas of life. She is an all around great person and teacher who deserves this Golden Apple Award.
	Dave Bitzer 7th - 8th Grade Science at Unionville-Sebewaing Area Middle School Mr. Bitzer was a good teacher because he always gave out incomplete notes so we knew what we had to take notes on. We learned out of the book, so I could always look in the book if I didn't catch something in class. He was strict and didn't allow talking in class, which was nice because I could concentrate. He covered things more than once and we went over the material several times before the test. I don't know how he is as a person, but he was an awesome teacher. I learned more in his class than any other. He didn't just assign work and have us do it, but he often talked about it and explained it, something sharing a story that had to do with the subject. Also, he never talked down on students or made fun of them for not knowing something.
	Gary VanSumeren Physical Education Teacher at Unionville-Sebewaing Area High School Mr. V has helped many kids develop as a person. He pushes kids hard and expects a lot from them. If a kid is not athletic, he doesn't care, he just expects them to work their hardest. Mr. V. like kids who work hard and give their best effort. He teaches kids how to work hard and and carry their effort into the real world. I was really excited about him being my gym teacher. I was coming from an elementary gym class where you couldn't pass people when you ran, and dodgeball was played using crumbled up paper. Then when you get in to middle school gym, he has you doing pushups and explosions and every day you work different muscles. In 5th and 6th grade we got to play dodge ball, with real balls, field hockey and kick ball. It was fun but we still had o work. In high school we lift weights. He makes up different workouts for each group and you just have to follow the sheet. There are some kids who don't like his classes because they have to work, but when they get out of school, they will know how to work. They will be more successful in life just because they got challenged in a physical education class - all thanks to Mr. V!
	Heather Quellet 6th Grade Math Teacher at Swan Valley Middle School Mrs. Quellet is an outstanding math teacher who differentiates instruction within every class of math she teaches. She has high expectations for her students while also meeting their academic, social and developmental needs. Mrs. Quellet has also taken on several curricular responsibilities, working to develop pacing guides for the entire middle school math program and aligning lesson to the common core students. Mrs. Quellet would be an outstanding recipient of a Golden Apple Award.
	Jamie Medema 7th & 8th Grade Teacher at Swan Valley Middle School Jamie is a wonderful teacher. She helps out children who need a little extra one on one. She always goes above and beyond what is required to make sure they have help being focused and organized. She always makes herself available to parents to help them in any way she can. Even though she has a family of her own, she makes her students a priority, not just scholastically, but mentally and emotionally. She is an amazing teacher and deserves recognition. She deserves the Golden Apple Award.
	Jamie Winkler High School Science Teacher at Clare High School Jamie Winkler, aka Winks, is one of those teachers who goes far beyond what is required and what is compensated. In addition to his role as a life sciences and Advanced Placement Biology teacher at Clare High School, he is the head of the CHS Science Department, NCA/School Improvement Co-Chair, the founder of the Credit Interventions Program, and provides after-school tutoring in all subjects. He approaches all of his tasks and projects with an energy and commitment that puts students and his profession first. When others get frustrated with the latest federal and state edicts impacting education, Jamie begins searching for ways to best meet the new requirements centered on data-driven decisions. His facility with technology in delivering his curriculum and in achieving school goals often finds him assisting other teachers with data acquisition and analysis. Jamie arrived at Clare High School in 2000 with a master's degree in biology and minors in math and history. He is well-known for developing an easy rapport with his students while still ensuring that his courses are rigorous. Students never want to "get out" of his classes. His work in creating the CHS version of Advanced Placement Biology has led to another way in which Clare students are getting the best possible education to prepare them for their next steps beyond high school. In the words of one student, "Winks is da bomb!"
	Jennifer Gremel 6th Grade Teacher at Christ the King Lutheran School - Sebewaing Miss Gremel is a great teacher! She deserves this award because she is an excellent educator. Whenever anybody need help understanding something, whether they are in her class or not, she helps them. She is a younger teacher, but a very outgoing, understanding, kind person! She takes the kids on many field trips, includes them on projects around town, takes time out of her day after school to help kids who need extra help, and is very good with all age levels. She also likes to help the elderly. Every year, she takes her class out to help clean up the yards of elderly people. They appreciate it a lot and look forward to having them come. She is a super fun teacher to have. I went on many trips with her, including when we went to Camp Wolverine for a week. I made sure that I got to ride with her on the way there and back. She tends to connect a log of things we are learning about to her lifetime memories. She is always very good at keeping the class's attention. If I wanted to become a teacher when I was older, I would definitely go in and job shadow her for a day. She is a very good teacher. I miss her a lot and would take her back as a teacher any day!
	Jill Millerwise 2nd Grade Teacher at Unionville-Sebewaing Area Elementary School I think Mrs. Millerwise should win this award because she is the nicest and coolest teacher ever. When I was in second grade, she always helped me when I needed it, whether it was with my homework, or even when I was sad at school, she would always be there for me. Mrs. Millerwise she an awesome teacher. She taught me a lot of stuff when I was in her class. She also taught me how to calm down when I'm mad or struggle in reading. She made sure I got it and did well.
	Karla Parker 8th Grade English Teacher at Swan Valley Middle School Mrs. Parker's class is my favorite class of the day. Mrs. Parker is probably my favorite English teacher ever. Everyone loves her class. When we do our schoolwork, she makes it fun, and all of her students like to be in her class.Every week we do our journal writes, and she encourages us to read them in class, or if we don't feel like it she'll read it later. Mrs. Parker just started teaching last year, and has done an excellent job. She started teaching when I am in the high school next year. She will always remain one of my favorite teachers.
	Kim Rummler 6th - 8th Grade Reading/P.E. at Swan Valley Middle School Kim Rummler is an exemplary reading and physical education teacher that gives up so much of her time being an active role model to be physically fit in body and sharp in mind. She has spearheaded our school's Fuel Up To Play 60 program teaching healthy eating, how to read nutrition labels, and provides an open gym before school encouraging 60 minutes of exercise per day. She has also worked with other staff members to create healthy recipes with the students as class projects. Her FUTP60core group of students travel to Ford Field every fall for the kick-off activities and she has raised over $10,000 for physical education equipment for the gym classes with these grants. Under her direct organization, students also collect Campbell's soup labels in these fundraising efforts for new physical fitness equipment. She has organized FUTP60 assemblies to energize and educate our youth about living a healthy lifestyle and issues prized through this event as well. After school cardio kickboxing classes have also been held in our school's gym under her training and supervision to promote more opportunities for exercise for those not directly involved in after school sports programs. She coaches our seventh grade girls' basketball team, actively negotiates for our Swan Valley Education Association, challenges our young adolescent readers to improve their reading skill to perform better in all subject areas and standardized testing, and chaperones our eighth graders on their class trip to Washington, D.C. as well as other school field trips. Every Christmas, she is actively involved in our Charity Mock Rock to help raise money for needy families. Generously, she has donated much of her own money, time, and resources to the betterment of the school's reading and fitness programs. Busy doing all of these activities for Swan Valley Middle School, she amazingly still finds ample time for family, friends, and training for charity road races. She inspires so many as a skilled marathon runner, coach, fitness guru, and teacher, but mostly as an incredible life force at 52 years of age that truly deserves recognition for all that she does to better our youth of today in mind, body and spirit. She has set an example for all of Swan Valley Middle School to be proud and even one that First Lady, Michelle Obama, would endorse no less with her passion for helping our children fight obesity and health-related diseases. Kim's philosophy for life would be as follows: "Work hard and play hard."
	Kimber Griffiths 3rd & 4th grade Special Education teacher at Siple Elementary - Davison Community Schools Two of my three children have been students in Miss Griffith's classroom. She has continuously gone out of her way to make sure that each child's needs are met; working in the special education department means working with different students with a variety of different needs. She meets the needs of each student and they all grow educationally. She is a very patient and caring educator. She always wants the children to succeed in her class, and make learning very creative and fun. As a parent, she always communicates with me about my child and makes a creative plan on how we are going to help my child be successful - not only in her class, but in life.
	Krystle Niewiadomski 11th Grade Special Education Teacher at Chesaning High School Mrs. N is a great teacher who encourages her students to be successful in their classes. She works with students who have learning difficulties. She knows exactly what to say when students need encouragement when she they want to give up. She is always there when need and can explain things so students can understand. Please consider her for the Golden Apple Award.
	Lisa Barrigar 5th and 6th Grade Teacher at Unionville-Sebewaing Area Middle School Throughout my years in school, I have learned many different things from many different teachers. My 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Barrigar, was wonderful at teaching in a way that I understood. I can't quite put my finger on it, but the way she taught allowed me to easily remember many things that, with other teachers, might go right through my brain without sticking. Mrs. Barrigar did hands on activities with her classes like labs and demonstrations, and she really seemed to know what she was doing. She controlled her classroom so that we all cooperated with her and we got along. In fifth grade, we took a field trip to Wolverine Camp in Wolverine, Michigan for a week. We learned new things about nature. We learned new skills that you need to have to be able to survive in the woods or even on a farm. During this week, Mrs. Barrigar explored nature with us and helped us learn more things. Camp Wolverine, as we called it, was one of the most fun experiences I have ever had in my life. Mrs. Barrigar helped me have a great time in Wolverine, and without her there it wouldn't have been such a great experience. I definitely believe that Mrs. Barrigar was a big part of helping me become the student I am today, and she will continue to help other students become better in school, and better people in general. I believe that Lisa Barrigar deserves the Golden Apple Award for being an amazing teacher as well as a great person.
	Lisa Workman 7th and 8th Grade Life Skills for Adolescence, Careers, Language Arts and Health Teacher at Swan Valley Middle School Mrs. Workman is a very good teacher. She always makes everything fun.
	Lisa Yaple Speical Education Teacher at Arthur Hill High School Lise is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. She goes way out of her way to make sure that everyone else is happy before she is happy. Not only that, she actually cares about the students, and is very good at her job. She knows exactly what she is doing with each and every student. I know that she leaves lasting impression on each of her students. She has even gotten some of her students out of special education and put into regular education.
	Matt Jacob 7th Grade Teacher at Swan Valley Middle School He really relates well with his students and works very hard to keep them interested in his class by making them think they are only having fun. They are learning but don't realize it! He has a great attitude with the kids. They love him! He is a teacher who takes the time to talk openly with his students and allow them to talk openly with him. He is a great asset to our school.
	Matt Maclaren 6th Grade Teacher at Swan Valley Middle School Mr. Maclaren is a teacher that goes above and beyond. He always has something to share with us. He should be nominated because he goes out of his way for his students.
	Michele Culver K-5 Special Education Specialist at Morrish Elementary - Swartz Creek Mrs. Culver is an amazing teacher! She teaches children with special needs from Kindergarten to fifth grade. She has a great deal of patience and love for her students, and tremendous compassion for the parents of her students. Her willingness to put her student's needs above all else sets her apart from most other teachers. She provides a necessary service with grace and dedication.
	Mrs. Knack Kindergarten Teacher at Chester Miller She is very great with the kids and will go above and beyond for the kids and parents. She is one in a million and that school would be lost without her.
	Nanette Beagle 9th - 12th Grade Spanish and Biology Teacher at Unionville-Sebewaing Area High School Mrs. Beagle is very kind and really pushes her students in a good way. She is a very independent and intelligent woman. She has all of her plans put together and sticks to them. She always encourages her students to be the best they can be. She takes time to explain the things that her students don't understand. She is a wonderful teacher and is always there when her students need her.
	Patricia Morgan 2nd Grade at Randels Elementary - Carmen Ainsworth Mrs. Morgan was my daughter's teacher last year. She is very good with her students and takes a personal interest in their education. Not only does she teach her class, but this year she is also teaching HAI, an excelerated program. She goes above and beyond. There needs to be more teachers like her! My son can't wait to be in her class!
	Rachel Dyer 3rd Grade Teacher at Standish-Sterling Elementary School Ms. Dyer is a teacher who cares immensely about all of her students. She does not pick favorite or treat any students unfairly. Ms. Dyer is a relatively new teacher, but she embodies what a teacher should look like and do. I wish all teachers were as caring, selfless, and intelligent as Ms. Dyer. I think she deserves to be rewarded for her efforts in the classroom.
	Renee Hard High School English and Literature Teacher at Holly High School Renee is an outstanding teacher. She cares about her students and does everything she can to help them exceed. Her students love coming to class and having her as their teacher.
	Rhonda Schafsnitz 1st Grade Teacher at Pinehurst Elementary School - Mt. Morris Rhonda works very hard to ensure her students are learning. She puts in many hours after school and on weekends to prepare her lessons. She also mentors two teachers and has an open door policy. She has great advice to give and is always open to help at any hour of the day.
	Roger Rothe 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher at Marshall Greene Middle School Word's can't describe Mr. Rothe, he is by far the best teacher at the school. He is well liked by every teacher and student. The way he teaches and engages into a lesson with the class is always an adventure. He likes to joke around with the class by telling jokes, and explaining things to students in a way that everyone understands. Mr. Rothe should win this award.
	Sarah Alguire High School English Teacher at Hill-McCloy High School Mrs. Agluire is an excellent teacher. It's not just books and notes with her. Students put on skits, do projects, create movies, and all sorts of other projects to show how much they have learned. Mrs. Alguire also runs the Drama club, and works with the Friends of Rachel's club to help spread positive messages in our school.
	Shelly Foy 6th Grade Social Studies Teacher at Swan Valley Middle School Mrs. Foy is a great social studies teacher. She is really nice and I feel she should win the Golden Apple Award.
	Stacy Querback 1st Grade Teacher at Unionville-Sebewaing Area Elementary School Mrs. Querback was my favorite teacher of all time. Mrs. Q. was a very fun teacher to have because she would teach us the stuff we needed to know by playing games or making plays for us to act out. If you were really good in her class for the day, you would get paper money that you could save up for a prize that she would give us in exchange for the money. I remember that I would always save up all of my money, which wasn't really a lot because Mrs. Q. would always make me work harder than all of the other kids. I didn't like it back then, but I'm happy she make me work harder because it made me a better person in life. Mrs. Q. was always one of the teachers that made me laugh. The number one thing that made me laugh really hard was that she would always spill her coffee. Thanks Mrs. Q. for being my favorite teacher and making me a better person.
	Susan Fischer 8th Grade English/Language Arts Teacher at McKinley Foundation Middle School - Flint I nominated myself because I have a great love of my students and respect their future. Although, I have lost 99 students to the violence of the streets; I have saved more by caring, telling them I know they can reach their dreams. They do not need to succumb to the streets. They can rise up and be the beautiful, well-rounded adult that helps our community. After 11 years, I am still positive and believe that good can work for them. I believe that smart can work for them. Basically, I still believe in Flint children while others have lost hope. That is why, I, Susan Fischer believe that I am the Golden Apple.
	Susan Wolverton 9th - 12th Grade English at Northwestern High School Mrs. Wolverton is an extraordinary teacher at Northwestern High School in Flint, Michigan. During my 20 years as a Learning Support Service Teacher, it's very rare to find a teacher that gives 150% of her time and monies to create a positive learning environment for our youth. Susan goes beyond the call of duty by staying after class to help her students that are struggling with their classwork. Also, there are numerous students before or after school. In addition to all her other responsibilities, she spends her own money buying students' school supplies to ensure that they are able to complete their school work on time. Mrs. Wolverton gives her students exposure about their history and they struggles that others had to go through in history so that students can make an informed decision about their future. In conclusion, it's a pleasure to nominate Susan Wolverton for this prestigious award. Susan not only spends extra time working with students, she also serves on various committees at school. Mrs. Wolverton is always working to create a positive environment for all students.
	Tim French High School Math Teacher at Gladwin High School Mr. French teaches Integrated Math 3, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus at Gladwin High School. To say that he goes beyond what is expected of him as a teacher is an understatement. All good teacher go above and beyond their contractual obligations; great one, like Tim French, naturally and willingly give of themselves because it is the right thing to do. Mr. French does not have to be asked to help a young teacher with technology problems or a former graduate who may need a little help with their college calculus homework. Tim is constantly helping students on his conference period, between classes, at lunch, and after school. It is easy to understand why he is so highly regarded in the school community. A non-academic example of Mr. French being a caring person is when he helped a student and her mother successfully "break in" to their car after the keys were accidentally locked inside. This occurred after school and Tim naturally had to help when help was needed. As the math department head, Tim is a natural leader and a great example for others to follow. His commitment to the students and school community make him an excellent candidate for the FOX 66 Golden Apple Award.
	Vickie Penland 7-8 U.S. History Teacher at Mayville Middle School She's the best teacher ever. Everyone who knows her, likes her. I swear there's no one person who doesn't like her.