NAPLES — On April 22, Champions For Learning hosted the 32nd Annual Golden Apple Celebration of Teachers Dinner at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort. During this event the community honored and thanked the Golden Apple Recipients, Teachers of Distinction, and Collier County Public Schools Teachers of the Year.

Sixty Teachers of Distinction (2 co-teacher teams) representing 58 Collier County Public Schools shared their best practices. Champions For Learning’s community-based selection committee identified six (6) practices to highlight as part of the Golden Apple process.

All Teachers of Distinction received a $250 award, and the Golden Apple recipients received an additional $500 award thanks to Mary Ingram. Each 2021-22 Golden Apple recipient receives a grant of $5,000 from Suncoast Credit Union to build on their best practices in the following school year.

“Being able to recognize dedicated teachers who stand above the rest is the heart of the Golden Apple Awards,” shared Cindy Helton Executive Director of the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation. “Our goal by participating in The Golden Apple Awards is that the grants will inspire teachers to continue investing in our students and to develop innovative practices.”

The foundation of Suncoast Credit Union is funded through the credit union members’ use of their debit and credit cards. The Suncoast for Schools Rewards Debit Card and VISA Credit Card program automatically generates funds that are dedicated to education and health-related initiatives benefiting children in the local community.

NBC2 also aired the Golden Apple Celebration television show on Sunday, April 24, 2022, and the replay will be available on the Champions For Learning YouTube channel.

The above PDF gives the complete list of Golden Apple recipients and Teachers of Distinction

Presenting Sponsor: Suncoast Credit Union

Major Sponsors: Conditioned Air, Mary Ingram, Moorings Park, Naples Daily News, NBC2, Stock Development.

About Champions For Learning™
Champions For Learning™, the education foundation in Collier County, is an independent, community-based, non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that creates life-changing learning experiences for every student. With a vision of a community that is 100% engaged in support of student success, Champions For Learning serves a unique role in bringing the community together to support a culture of learning and innovation. The organization has been awarded a four-star rating for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency by Charity Navigator and has been ranked among one of the top 50 education foundations in a national study. Become a Champion for Learning and visit www.ChampionsForLearning.org.

About Suncoast Credit Union
Suncoast Credit Union is the largest credit union in the state of Florida, the 10th largest in the United States based on membership, and the 10th largest in the United States based on its $14.9 billion in assets. Chartered in 1934 as Hillsborough County Teachers Credit Union, Suncoast Credit Union currently operates 75 full-service branches and serves more than one million members in 40 counties across Florida. As a community credit union, anyone who lives, works, attends school, or worships in Suncoast Credit Union’s service area is eligible for membership. In 2021, Suncoast Credit Union’s field of membership was expanded to include public K-12 teachers, college educators, and educational support staff from all of Florida’s 67 counties. Suncoast is passionate about community support. Since its founding in 1990, the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation has raised and donated more than $32 million to organizations and initiatives that support the health, education, and emotional well-being of children in the communities that the credit union serves. For more information, visit suncoastcreditunion.com or follow us on social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter.