In the heart of every classroom, there's a teacher whose passion leaves a mark far beyond the final bell.
For teachers, like Fort Myers High School English teacher Ryan Arciero , there's no accolade more golden than the Golden Apple Award.
"I love what I do," Arciero said. "It was such an overwhelming, wonderful experience."
While the apple often takes the limelight, there's a quiet emblem of dedication created alongside it that makes a loud statement — the Golden Apple Award pin. Inside the intricate world of Mark Loren Designs, rows of tiny gadgets hum to make these pins, from concept to creation.
More : Lee County teachers receive 2025 Golden Apple Awards
"Once the gold castings are broken out of the material, they're rough. They need to be hand-finished," jewelry designer Mark Loren said. "I sign them on the back with the initials of the teacher in my signature, and then the final polish takes place."
The Golden Apple Award pins may be small in size, but they're mighty in meaning.
"When you think about someone who is teaching your kids every day and interacting with them," Loren said. "That's way more precious than the stuff that I work with."
"I can look down at the pin and be able to know that even on the rough days, I'm trying to represent what teaching is," Arciero said. "In life on the days that teaching doesn't go great, you try your best tomorrow."
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