Celebrating Exceptional Teachers

Current Golden Apple Winners

Each year, the Golden Apple Foundation of New Mexico names up to 7 teachers from across New Mexico for the Golden Apple Excellence in Teaching Award. These awards rotate every three years through different school levels: elementary, middle, and high school.  Golden Apple award-winning teachers have been recognized in a broad range of subjects, from Physical Education, to Physics, from Special Education to Advanced Placement, from the core to elective subjects. Those who are recognized are illustrative of the many talented and skilled professionals working hard every day to inspire students in New Mexico classrooms.

2023 Golden Apple Excellence in Teaching Award Winners

Michelle Armijo

Michelle Armijo

Third Grade Pinon Elementary School Santa Fe

Amanda Herman

Amanda Herman

Fifth Grade Bernalillo Elementary School Bernalillo

Tara Hughes

Tara Hughes

Early Childhood Special Education NYE Early Childhood Center

Norma Lujan Quioñones

Norma Lujan Quioñones

Physical Education and Dance Dolores Gonzales Elementary Albuquerque

Julie Rombach Kendall

Julie Rombach Kendall

Music John Baker Elementary School Albuquerque

Shannon Ryan

Shannon Ryan

Fifth Grade Lavaland Elementary School Albuquerque

Michelle Sanchez

Michelle Sanchez

Fifth Grade Pojoaque Valley Intermediate School Pojoaque

2023 Finalists

Matthew Allen 4th Grade Aspen Elementary Los Alamos
Katrina DeLima Garcia Spillman Gifted Edward Gonzalez Albuquerque
Adonis Fromme Gifted Puesta del Sol Rio Rancho
Tricia Grajeda Physical Education Rio Rancho Elementary Rio Rancho
Tina Martinez 4th Grade John Baker Albuquerque
Stephanie Ortega 5th Grade Math and Social Studies Cuba Elementary Cuba
Christina Trail 4th Grade Zia Elementary Albuquerque
Heather Willingham Library Mitchell Elementary Albuquerque

Thank You to our Fellows Sponsors

These sponsors enable us to give sizable cash grants to each Golden Apple Teacher Fellow. 

Goodgame Foundation
Lang Family Foundation
Ralph K. Strong Endowment Logo