Lee County teachers celebrated at Golden Apple breakfast

FORT MYERS, Fla.—Teachers in Lee County were celebrated in a special way at the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools' annual Golden Apple Breakfast at McDonald's.

Thirty Golden Apple finalist teachers had their photos, names, and schools featured on McDonald's tray liners, which will be distributed to various locations for students to see.

Thursday morning's breakfast was a joyous occasion where teachers shared stories, laughed, and celebrated their dedication to their students. Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin, Foundation President Marshall Bower, and several school board members attended the event.

Libby O'Connor, a music teacher at Ray V. Pottorf Elementary School, expressed her emotions upon being honored.

"I just wanted to start crying. I was pretty much stunned but also very honored," said O'Connor. "When I go to work, it's not about the accolades. It's just about showing up every day for the students and doing the best that I can. For someone to see that in me is really a privilege."

Krista Rivera, a fourth-grade teacher at Gulf Elementary School, reflected on the impact of her own teachers.

"I still think about my teachers that I had, and all that they did for me," said Rivera. "It's those kids, those smiles, that keep me coming back every day."

Alisa Brown, an eighth-grade teacher at Diplomat Middle School, shared her teaching philosophy.

"Though I teach science, I want my kids to know that they're seen, that they're loved and that they are important in this world," said Brown.

The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools has been holding the Golden Apple Awards for 39 years. Foundation President Marshall Bower emphasized the importance of recognizing teachers.

"Teachers are the ones that are preparing their next employees and our next leaders in our community, and so it's very important to celebrate them, to shine the spotlight on them, to let them know that the community, especially the business community, appreciates them," said Bower.

McDonald's is a major sponsor of the Golden Apple Awards. Tim Fenton, a McDonald's franchisee in South Florida, acknowledged the crucial role of teachers in the community.

"We feel that the DNA of any community is our teachers, first responders, medical staff, and law enforcement. That is the DNA we feel, and we think it's very important to support that," said Fenton.

The selection committee faces the challenging task of choosing six teachers as the Golden Apple Award recipients. These teachers will be surprised in their classrooms and honored during the Golden Apple Banquet at the end of April.