Golden Apple End of Year Celebration Special: A look at spotlighted educators

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — As the 2024-25 school year comes to an end, News 8 is taking a look back at all of the teachers we have spotlighted this year through our Golden Apple series!
Each week, News 8's Katrina Irwin surprises local teachers with a 'Golden Apple Award' for being an outstanding educator.
Let's take a look back at this school year through the News 8 Golden Apple End of Year Celebration Special:
All of the teachers News 8 surprised this year will also be receiving gift cards. For the past six years now, the Bill and Carol Van Dusen Fund through the Rochester Area Community Foundation has awarded these to the winning teachers as a way to give back and thank educators in the Rochester area.
Each year, Roberts Wesleyan University gives out three $10,000 scholarships to students pursuing their career as a teacher in varying degrees:
Traditional Undergrad Population: Ava Thompson is a freshman student from Brocton, New York — pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Adolescent Education: English 5-12. She is a member of Roberts Wesleyan University's Global Honors Program.
Pathway to Teaching: Melissa Brown transferred in courses from California State University and will focus on Childhood Education – Students with Disabilities in Grades 1 to 6. She is currently a stay-at-home mom but would love to work at Honeoye Falls where her kids go to school.
Master of Education Program for Initial Certification: L Wiltse currently works as a substitute teacher for Carthage Central School District but holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from SUNY Potsdam. They are looking to get their initial certification to educating childhood and students with disabilities.
Sister Karlien Back just wrapped up her 45th year of teaching at Our Lady of Mercy! Fun fact: She taught News 8 WROC's Wendy Bello, Programming Coordinator Colleen Law, and News 8 First at 4 Anchor Natalie Kucko. Hear what she says is her secret to staying in the job all these years:
News 8 would not be able to properly thank these teachers without help from a number of sponsors — one of those being support from Advantage Federal Credit Union throughout the year. Diane Miller stopped by the News 8 End of Year Celebration Special to talk about Advantage's participation:
Thank you to everyone who nominated a teacher for the Golden Apple award! We'll see you next year!
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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