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1998 KCTS Golden Apple Award Winners

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INDIVIDUALS

Sandra L. Everlove, Teacher
Franklin High School, Seattle

Sandra Everlove teaches courses in chemistry and ethical issues and describes her biggest challenge as "helping teenagers see themselves as world citizens and valuable members of society." Three years ago, she and 180 chemistry students started the "Science is My Life" project. Since then, they have hosted science nights at a number of local elementary schools-successfully meeting their goals of making science fun and accessible for younger students, involving non-English-speaking parents in school activities and providing teen role models. A resident of the neighborhood in which she teaches, Everlove has drawn praise for her strong commitment to education and service in her community. States one of her neighbors, "More than any other teacher I know, Sandi's work is about the community in which she lives. From big ideas to little moments, from her classroom to the world at large, Sandi embraces the whole universe of learning."

Roland MacNichol, Teacher
Gig Harbor High School, Gig Harbor, Washington

Roland MacNichol is head of the Gig Harbor High School social studies department and a leader who has helped establish service learning within the community. He and his students founded WAYS (World Awareness Youth Service), an organization that has developed numerous service programs, including the Toy Rescue Mission, the REACH program for people with AIDS and a literacy program that works with immigrant children at a local elementary school. MacNichol played a leading role in helping to develop an integrated curriculum that has enhanced the learning experience for students at Gig Harbor High. MacNichol, who was recognized by President George Bush as one of the "1,000 Points of Light," recently led the school's development of Senior Projects, which gives seniors the chance to demonstrate the skills they've learned in real-world settings-from using art to help young victims of domestic violence to serving as a youth campaign manager for a state representative. In the words of a colleague, MacNichol "is unconditionally willing to give of himself without seeking anything in return, save knowing that he has furthered the good."

Benjamin Ostrom, Teacher
Madrona Elementary School, Seattle

Benjamin Ostrom teaches a fourth/fifth-grade class at Madrona Elementary, a school that serves predominantly African American students. More than 70 percent of the school's students qualify for free or reduced-cost meals, and fewer than 10 percent have access to computers at home. Ostrom has focused on increasing students' access to computers and integrating technology across curricula. He has developed grants worth more than $40,000 for the purchase and integration of technology in classrooms, and has acquired more than $90,000 in computer equipment donations from various businesses. Every student in Ostrom's classroom has access to a computer, and the overall computer-to-student ratio at Madrona is 1:3. Ostrom has also sought to provide his students with outdoor experiences by building an ongoing relationship with Inner City Outings. Once a month, he and four trained adult volunteers take students hiking or camping in the Puget Sound area. In the words of one parent, Ostrom "personifies the ideal teacher. He's one of those "new breed" of teachers who are not only gifted teachers but also smart, talented individuals who want a better world and are not afraid to work."

Janet Jones-Preston, Family Support Worker
B.F. Day Elementary School, Seattle

Janet Jones-Preston is a career educator and a Family Support Worker at B.F. Day Elementary. She is a pioneer in working with children in foster care-children often forgotten by society, who present special educational challenges. After witnessing the emotional devastation and educational handicap suffered by a B.F. Day student who had to go into foster care, Jones-Preston got a foster care license (and convinced another teacher to do the same). If a child at the school has to go into foster care, that child is placed with Jones-Preston, who provides stability, security and as normal a life as possible while helping the child maintain his or her progress in school. She serves as a member of the Seattle-King County 1999-2000 Homeless Advisory Group, the Take This Heart/Foster Care Alliance Project, the Washington Council for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Partnership, and the City of Seattle Undoing Racism Group. Jones-Preston's work has changed the lives of many children. As one colleague explains, "For Janet's children, education becomes the most positive force in their lives."

Suzanne Ruth-Scott, Counselor and Technology Teacher
West Valley School District, Spokane

A few years ago, Suzanne Ruth-Scott established Partners in Time, a program that uses computer technology to bring senior citizens together with area youth. Throughout the 1997-98 school year, senior citizens from Park Place Retirement Community and the Millwood Community were welcomed at Pasadena Park Elementary, where staff and students volunteered their time to foster the seniors' curiosity about computers and teach them usable skills. Equipment donated by local businesses and service organizations was placed in the classroom and was used to set up computer labs at Park Place. Students were bussed to the retirement community to share their knowledge and computer skills. The program helps reconnect young and old, promotes lifelong learning and enhances the physical and mental health of older adults. Participating seniors have gained access to a world of information and communication, and students have gained a bigger picture of life through their elders' wisdom. As Pasadena Park principal Larry Bush explains, "Suzanne has taught all of us how learning is a lifelong process."

GROUP/PROJECTS

African American Parent Support Group at Decatur High School
Federal Way School District

During the 1996-97 school year, three parents-Helen Henderson, Diane Turner and Carolyn Patton-formed a support group to engage African American students at Decatur and their parents in setting, and realizing, high goals for academic success. Made up of concerned parents and community members, the African American Parent Support Group has worked closely with African American students at Decatur, counseling them on pursuing long-term academic goals, encouraging them to become involved in school activities, acting as advocates, and arranging for speakers to address students on career opportunities. The group has provided opportunities for students to engage in academic activities such as the Black College Fair and the WAPSE/McDonald's MLK Essay Contest and has provided them with role models by introducing them to successful Decatur graduates. As a result of the AAPSG's efforts, an increased number of African American students took the SAT and ACT tests this year to prepare for college, and more parents have become actively engaged in their children's learning experience. The AAPSG reflects the need to support the growing diversity of the community and is a template for success for all students.

Highline School District Teen Parent Program
Seattle, WA

The Highline School District has the second highest rate of teen pregnancy in Washington state. The Highline School District Teen Parent Program serves a diverse population of at-risk students who are parents, with the goals of increasing healthy births, improving parenting skills, increasing participation in educational opportunities and job training, developing financially independent young parents, reducing the incidence of child neglect and abuse, and increasing family planning awareness. The Program seeks to remove the barriers teen parents face while trying to pursue an education and provides a parenting class, an on-site child care lab where students practice parenting skills, and case managers who help young parents access community resources. Other services the Program provides include in-home mental health counseling that helps teens and their families address such problems as domestic violence and substance abuse. The program sponsors social gatherings that promote mutual support, fun and education, and hosts presentations by pediatricians and other community speakers. With limited resources, the Teen Parent Program serves high-risk, isolated, parenting teens, helping them to gain self-confidence and to work toward self-sufficiency and economic independence.

Restoring Animals In Nature (R.A.I.N.)
Fircrest Elementary School, Vancouver, WA

Subscribing to the philosophy that service learning should be integrated into the curriculum, the teachers of R.A.I.N. lead elementary students in an integrated project that teaches life skills while contributing to their neighborhood. The project began in 1996, when teacher Ann Rangos invited her sixth-grade class to work on a plan to improve the habitat in a county park behind the school. The goal was to bring wildlife back into the once densely forested area while preserving a safe park for the neighborhood. R.A.I.N. provides opportunities for hands-on learning in a variety of subjects, while teaching real-life skills such as cooperation, responsibility, problem-solving, patience and respect. Students have become involved in reintroducing native plants, building bird shelters, removing litter and securing a water supply for the habitat. Through tours and presentations, they have involved other Fircrest classes in the project, creating a sense of pride and ownership that helps protect the park from vandalism. R.A.I.N. creates opportunities for students to take healthy risks and develop an "I can do" attitude.

Science Education Partnership
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA

The Science Education Partnership (SEP) is a highly successful ongoing program at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center designed to bridge the gap between the research and education communities. The program provides middle- and high-school teachers with hands-on research experiences during the summer, pairing them with scientist-mentors and immersing them in projects ongoing in the research labs. There, teachers hone their problem-solving, questioning and lab skills while coming to know a variety of scientists who can be role models for students. During the school year, SEP also helps teachers develop advanced biology curricula for their students and lends equipment and materials to participating teachers for use in their classrooms. The SEP program shows youngsters that they can participate in cutting-edge science and make a contribution to knowledge. The dangers and opportunities being thrust upon society by the accelerating revolution in the biological sciences make the kind of educational experience provided by the Science Education Partnership more important than ever.

STANLEY O. MCNAUGHTON GOLDEN APPLE WINNER

John Merk
Pasco High School Vocational Building Projects

In 1996, John Merk, a Pasco business owner, was asked to lend his expertise to an ambitious project-the construction of a jet boat by Pasco High School welding students. Merk rolled up his sleeves and became immersed in the project. He enlisted the support of his suppliers-a request that was met with materials, tools, time, industry tours and access to specialized equipment. He made regular visits to the classroom to check on the project, answer questions and encourage the students. Merk has continued to advise, support and obtain donations for subsequent projects including the building of a second boat and the construction of a three-bedroom house. Merk's determination and enthusiasm, along with community support, have made it possible for students to move out of the classroom into the "real world" of project application. Students participate in every step of the building process and learn about business planning, design and decision-making. They have also learned the value of math skills, customer service, team work and reliability, and have gained pride and self-confidence. As Sue Schlegel, District vocational education coordinator, puts it, John Merk "wants Pasco kids to have employable skills so their future is without limits. Everything he does has an immediate and future impact on our kids."

PemcoPemcoThe KCTS Golden Apple Awards are sponsored by KCTS Television and are made possible through funding from PEMCO Insurance.