SCHOOLS

Nominate a Salem teacher, educator for Crystal Apple awards

After a three-year hiatus, outstanding local educators again have a chance to be publicly recognized when the Crystal Apple awards return in February 2023.

Nominations are now open for the awards recognizing outstanding teachers, classroom assistants, bus drivers, administrators, coaches and other employees of the Salem-Keizer School District or private schools in Salem and Keizer.

The black tie awards were an annual event put on by the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation, but took a break when the foundation shut down in June 2020 following financial difficulties exacerbated by the pandemic.

Now, the school district is partnering with the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce to bring them back.

“Superintendent Perry and members of her Cabinet are committed to honoring the amazing work that our educators and support staff do on behalf of our local students.  The plan was always to restart the Crystal Apple, with support from the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, once we were able to do so safely,” said Heidi Litchfield, who’s running the awards for the district, in an email.

Nominees must have worked for their district or school for at least three consecutive years.

Winners will be chosen by a selection committee and honored at an awards ceremony on Feb. 10, 2023 at the Salem Convention Center. Litchfield said the selection committee will have 12 to 15 members and include both district employees and community members.

More information and nomination packets are available on the Crystal Apple website. Nomination packets are due by Dec. 2.

Contact reporter Rachel Alexander: [email protected] or 503-575-1241.

JUST THE FACTS, FOR SALEM – We report on your community with care and depth, fairness and accuracy. Get local news that matters to you. Subscribe to Salem Reporter. Click I want to subscribe!

Rachel Alexander is Salem Reporter’s managing editor. She joined Salem Reporter when it was founded in 2018 and covers city news, education, nonprofits and a little bit of everything else. She’s been a journalist in Oregon and Washington for a decade. Outside of work, she’s a skater and board member with Salem’s Cherry City Roller Derby and can often be found with her nose buried in a book.