The nominees for Salem’s 2024 Crystal Apple awards included nearly 100 teachers, custodians, classroom assistants and other support workers who keep local schools running.
Twelve received the top honor in a ceremony Wednesday, May 22, at the Salem Convention Center.
Here are the educators selected, with a excerpt from their nomination packet explaining why.
Amanda Starkey, teacher and activities director, North Salem High School
Starkey was recognized as a teacher who “practically lives at school,” putting on events like assemblies, Halloween, and bringing a positive and supportive atmosphere to the classroom.
“When I say that Amanda positively impacts every student at North, I am not exaggerating. For the past few years Amanda has organized a homecoming carnival that happens between the end of the school day and the homecoming football game. This event is huge and requires many, many hours past those already required during this extremely busy time of the year,” wrote teacher Terra Shiffer.
Christopher Feskens, culinary teacher, McKay High School
Feskens has grown McKay’s culinary program, helping students find practical, hands-on ways to practice restaurant, culinary and hospitality skills.
“Chris is a great mentor,” a student wrote in his nomination. “He saw talent in me and wouldn’t let me waste any of it. Chris insisted I join his restaurant management class after only taking a year of culinary classes. He has helped me and many others see what we are best at.”
Gabriela Acevedo-Solis, dual language social studies teacher, Waldo Middle School
Acevedo-Solis teaches Spanish-language social studies classes for students and worked on the recent adoption of a new district social studies curriculum. Her work often entails translating material and worksheets herself.
“Gabbie works tirelessly to ensure that all her students have access to academic language both in English and Spanish. She accepts and welcomes her students with various levels of fluency in Spanish, never chiding them for speaking English, but provides necessary scaffolds to support their growth in both languages,” said Urmila Barah, social studies program associate, in a nomination letter.
Keelana Meyer, career technical education liaison, South Salem High School
Meyer coordinates field trips, hand-on learning, materials and budgets to support South’s seven career programs, which include culinary, broadcast journalism, sports medicine and manufacturing. Teachers described her as the “backbone” of the programs.
“Her behind-the-scenes efforts have been instrumental in making our programs thrive. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure the smooth operation of various facets of our CTE classes and the growth of our programs. One of Keelana’s greatest strengths lies in her ability to work collaboratively with teachers, district officials and community members,” the high school’s CTE teachers wrote in their letter.
Kellie Menghini, world language and social studies teacher, McKay High School
Menghini was recognized for blending empathy and care for students with high academic and behavioral standards, serving as a model for other teachers to follow. She also coaches volleyball.
“Kellie’s investment in each and every student starts before they even enter the room,” wrote instructional mentor Larkin Foley. “She commits to memorizing names within the first week, and can be seen in the hallway between every class period greeting students by name and welcoming them into the classroom. Kellie prioritizes student sense of belonging, surveying them about their needs and interests throughout the term in order to honor critical elements of identity such as correct pronouns. She also holds students to high academic and behavioral standards, setting firm boundaries about what is acceptable in order for all students to learn in an environment that is safe and welcoming. She is a ‘warm demander.'”
Ken Ramirez, security field coordinator, Safety and Risk Management Services
Ramirez has worked for the district in several roles as a graduation coach, football coach and currently does outreach for at-risk young people and those involved in gangs.
“Kenny deeply sees our students who are disengaged, gang-affiliated youth, and youth who are involved in high-risk behaviors,” wrote Deputy Superintendent Iton Udosenata. “He understands the adversity and cultural context these youth navigate. Kenny has earned trust amongst this subset of our student population and is responsible for reengaging students who face life-threatening circumstances daily. We rely heavily on Kenny as a resource for our gang intervention initiatives and as a liaison for culture on the street that helps us better understand how to serve all students.”
Lisa Olson, library media instructional assistant, Chapman Hill Elementary
Olson runs the school’s library and also serves as a recess leader, forging connections with students, helping repair friendships and finding books that speak to students’ needs and experiences.
“One of Lisa’s greatest strengths is her ability to instill a love for reading in her students,” wrote Leigh Elliot, the school’s instructional mentor. “Through her passion for literature and storytelling, she ignites a spark in young minds, fostering a lifelong love of reading and learning. Her creative approach to literacy engages students of all abilities and backgrounds, making the reading experience enjoyable and enriching for everyone.”
Luis Oliva Barrientos, bilingual special education instructional assistant, Chavez Elementary School
Oliva Barrientos wears many hats, serving as crossing guard, helping students struggling with behavior in class, running recess and volunteering to coach the school’s soccer team after classes.
“He has established a culture that sets clearly defined high expectations for all students, not only during soccer time, but also in the classroom and other areas of school,” Principal Monica Takata wrote in her nomination letter. “Under Coach Luis’ leadership, our soccer players learn not only soccer skills, but also skills such as responsibility, sportsmanship, perseverance, teamwork, and kindness, which are essential skills for life.”
Read more about Oliva Barrientos in our profile here.
Max Price, English teacher and baseball coach, South Salem High School
Price is known for building a love of reading for a diverse group of students, teaching freshman English and a “street lit” course that engages older students.
“He embraces hard conversations and controversial topics to allow students to grapple with real world issues that authentically develop their reading and writing skills, which can get them back on-track with their English credits,” his colleagues wrote. “Beyond the content he teaches, Max is an overall positive influence on his students. They seek him out for advice and candid conversations about life.”
Pat Ozenna-Lemay, first-grade teacher, Cummings Elementary
Graduating high school seniors often return to Cummings in the spring to thank Ozenna-Lemay, their first grade teacher. After 40 years on the job, she’s now teaching the grandchildren of some of her early students.
“After watching Pat, many teachers walk out of her classroom, turn to me with wide eyes and exclaim, ‘Wow! Who knew first-graders could do all that?!'” instructional mentor Mary Arana wrote.
Rubi Hovenden, program associate, Salem-Keizer Curriculum and Instruction Department
Hovenden formerly worked as a bilingual teacher. At the district level, she’s led an effort to revamp the way elementary schools assess student reading using a system that works for both English and Spanish.
“In her work with multilingual learners, Rubi recognizes and celebrates the assets these students bring to the classroom,” wrote Robin Farup-Romero, a district principal who’s worked with Hovenden. “She firmly believes in their potential to excel as readers and become future leaders in our community. Her advocacy for multilingual and multicultural students is evidence in her commitment to developing equitable learning environments and supporting teachers in effectively serving diverse populations.”
Shayla Brown, school counselor, Blanchet Catholic School
Brown plays multiple roles at Blanchet, helping students plan and develop skills for academic success while also teaching and serving as a club advisor for the school’s speech and debate team.
“Since her arrival at Blanchet, our college counseling program ahs soared to heights we have not reached before with our numbers for college acceptances and scholarships growing each year,” wrote Bob Weber, Blanchet’s president. “When I speak with our students about their interactions with Shayla, I am often told that she played a significant role in helping them and their family understand the process of applying for college and earning scholarships.”
Contact reporter Rachel Alexander: [email protected] or 503-575-1241.
SUPPORT OUR WORK – We depend on subscribers for resources to report on Salem with care and depth, fairness and accuracy. Subscribe today to get our daily newsletters and more. 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.
