Tag crystal apples
McKay’s activity director keeps Salem’s largest school humming
Teacher Jenise Flower has a knack for engaging students, whether it's drawing connections with history or helping student leaders plan a dizzying array of events. She's among the nominees for a Crystal Apple award this year.
From cadaver lab to high jump, South teacher pushes students toward excellence
Whether it's in the classroom or on the track, teacher Tyson Gilmour has a simple goal: every student gets coached every day. He's one of the Salem educators nominated for a 2025 Crystal Apple Award.
Meet the 12 educators honored with 2024 Crystal Apple awards
Crystal Apple winning educators organize school carnivals, volunteer to coach soccer and pick the perfect book to help a student through a tough time.
PHOTOS: Salem’s award-winning educators walk the red carpet at 2024 Crystal Apples
Nearly 100 educators from the Salem-Keizer School District and local private schools were honored at the 2024 Crystal Apple awards.
Social worker Robin Sischo is an “aura of calm” in the chaos of high school
“As long as Robin works in a school, the teenagers of the future will be in a better place,” a student wrote of the South Salem High School social worker.
A “kid whisperer” at Chavez Elementary builds connections on and off the field
Whether he’s supervising the lunchroom or volunteering to coach soccer after school, colleagues credit Luis Oliva Barrientos with bringing calm and needed support to kids at east Salem’s Chavez Elementary School.
At Salem’s Behavior Intervention Center, a first-year teacher thrives in the chaos
Nikki Schmidgall teaches at Salem’s Behavior Intervention Center, working with five elementary school students who struggle with extreme trauma and mental illness. Her colleagues say her work has been transformative for some of the highest needs students in the district.
From crossing guard to math mentor, Trang Pham does it all for Yoshikai’s students
Trang Pham taught high school chemistry in Vietnam before moving to Salem in 2008. She worked to learn English so she could return to the classroom, where she now helps kids struggling with reading and math.
Meet Marie, the custodian who keeps McNary High School running
After a decade cleaning the halls of local schools, Marie Davis-Anderson has seen high schoolers try to flush a lot of things down toilets. The Crystal Apple nominee said she likes keeping busy and helping students learn practical skills and responsibility.