3/5/20: Updated with comment from Jones.
(OnFocus) Four area teachers were recognized as Crystal Apple winners at their schools on March 3 by the Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MACCI).
The winners were selected from 24 Teachers of Distinction announced last November. Teachers are initially nominated by students, and their colleagues cast a vote from those nominations with a minimum of one teacher selected from each school. About 1,170 nominations were received for 310 different teachers.
The 2020 Crystal Apple winners are Mark Cournoyer, Auburndale High School; Ty Natzke, Pittsville Elementary/Middle School; Chauncey Jones, Pittsville High School; and Melissa Stockheimer, Marshfield High School.
Jones, a high school and 8th grade English teacher, was honored by the award as she has only been with the district for a year and a half. Previously, she spent three years teaching in Phoenix, Arizona before moving to Wisconsin.
“I’m so happy I found a district that’s really supportive and feels like a real family,” she said. “Between all my colleagues and the kids, it’s just such a supportive atmosphere and I really enjoy coming to work everyday. It doesn’t feel like work. I feel very lucky.”
Last year, Jones stepped in with another colleague to keep the Ski and Snowboard Club running after its advisor left. She devoted weekends to supervise trips to Bruce Mound, Cascade Mountain, and the Upper Peninsula until a replacement advisor could be found this year.
Cournoyer has been an agriculture instructor at Auburndale for 20 years.
“It’s awesome to be part of an awesome school district and a community that allows me to take kids in directions that they never thought they could go before,” he said. “I’m just really blessed to be part of that process and part of the school, and to be recognized for the effort.”
Besides teaching students about all things agriculture, Cournoyer has played a role in countless fundraisers, the relocation of the school forest within walking distance of the school, and the formation of a leadership class that empowers students to step up in the community.
“I’m just really glad to be a part of it and providing those opportunities for our kids,” he said.
The Crystal Apple winners and Teachers of Distinction will be honored at a banquet on April 29 at Hotel Marshfield.
Teachers of Distinction include Saydi Olson, Spencer Middle and High School; Patricia Silva, Columbus Catholic High; Charles Treankler, Marshfield High; Kelly Voss, Nasonville Elementary; Katelyn Vroman, Madison Elementary; Beth Weiland, Columbus Catholic St. John’s Primary/OLP; Jenny Werner, St. Joseph’s Stratford; Rebecca Whitrock, Grant Elementary; Jacquelyn Winch, Grant Elementary; Loralei Berry, Auburndale Elementary; April Daul, Washington Elementary; Whitney Eckes, Spencer Elementary; Michelle Ericksen, Greenwood Elementary; Bethany Franklin, Granton; Brian Fravert, Lincoln Elementary; Jenny Hafermann, Greenwood MS/HS; Renee Hammond, Immanuel Lutheran; Kimberly Kolstad, Marshfield Middle; Michelle Korth, Trinity Lutheran; Becky Linzmeier, Marshfield Middle.
Author: News Desk
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