Congratulations to Stacy Spaulding, 2023's Maine-Endwell Teachers Association Golden Apple Recipient! Ms. Spaulding displays her Spartan Pride both inside and outside of the classroom. Below is the speech given this morning at the Superintendent's Conference. We are so lucky to have her at MECSD!
GOLDEN APPLE AWARD 2023
For those who don’t know about META’s Golden Apple Award, it is presented each September to a Maine-Endwell Teachers Association member who best exemplifies excellence in teaching. To all those nominated this year, we appreciate all you do for the students and the school community; your hard work and accomplishments in and out of the classroom are what make this school district so great.
Outside the classroom, our award recipient is an extremely busy person: she has been involved in over 46 professional development courses, conferences, and workshops in her 28-year career, and served on over a dozen committees. She served as a Special Olympics coach from 2016 to 2021, and this year she supported the athletes by donning the Sparty costume during the track and field competitions. She has served as a META rep and is currently Secretary. She has also organized fundraisers for the META Scholarship Fund and social activities for the teachers.
Inside the classroom, our award recipient helps her students learn vital life skills by having them work in the M-EALS food pantry organizing and packing food, cleaning and shredding, stacking paper in the copy room, handing out passes, doing the laundry for the Spartan Closet, and taking them to the CHOW Warehouse to learn additional skills, all to prepare them for future employment.
Our award winner not only has an impact on her students, but on her colleagues, as well. The heartfelt and eloquent words of those who nominated her - those who know her best - attests to her far-reaching influence:
QUOTE:
“She works with some of our most vulnerable students in a kind, compassionate and organized manner. Her students are taught life skills that will help them navigate life outside of Maine-Endwell, and her dedication to her students is unwavering.”
(She) “... is the epitome of what it means to be a special education teacher - she is compassionate, passionate, and determined to help every student grow into who they are meant to be.”
(She) “...provides an example of what we all strive to do on a daily basis - develop a student’s self-confidence and belief in who they are and prepare them for the world outside of the school walls.”
(She) “...is a gift to the department. She is always willing to share her incredible knowledge, experiences, and background to help each of us grow as teachers. She is supportive during trying times and our greatest cheerleader during moments of celebration.”
(She) “... has always been an advocate for her students and is not afraid to stand up for what is right…she has a knack for making the worst things seem tolerable.”
(She) “...goes above and beyond to make sure her students are involved in the school and our local community.”
“She is admired by many, respected by all, and has forever made the lives of her students and families better.”
END QUOTES
In her personal narrative, our winner wrote the following about her interactions with her students, “Every day is unique. Each student has diverse abilities and needs which challenge my own personal growth and development. We learn together!...I enjoy the challenges, trials, and tribulations, along with the celebrations and successes. It is extra rewarding to see the growth and progress they make. I take pride in their accomplishments.”
Maine-Endwell Teachers Association certainly takes pride in HER accomplishments with our most vulnerable students. We are lucky to have her in the district, but even more important, her students are incredibly lucky to have her in their corner every single day. Please join me in congratulating this year’s Golden Apple recipient: Stacy Spaulding.