At the May 7th meeting of the Putnam City Board of Education, five employees were awarded Golden Apples by the Putnam City Public Schools Foundation. Each honoree received a brass apple and a check for $200.

Here are the honorees along with the write-ups that Foundation representatives read at the board meeting:

Christine Clay
Fifth-Grade Teacher, Hilldale Elementary School
Christine Clay is a fifth-grade teacher at Hilldale Elementary School. She has been a part of the district for nine years. She embraces the opportunity to teach in a Title I school where diversity is strength and differences are celebrated. She is known for providing multiple opportunities for students to be successful.

Christine can often be found before and after school working one on one with a student who is struggling academically or otherwise. Her students look to her as a teacher as well as a mentor or friend. They know they can come to her with any problems they may be experiencing, be it academically, socially, or emotionally. She always has her students’ best interests at heart. Her class can be found learning valuable life lessons, as well as reading, math and other core subjects. When a student leaves Ms. Clay’s classroom, they are better prepared for the world of middle school.

Christine even brought the classroom outdoors when she organized a trip to Camp Dakani for the entire fifth grade. This camp experience is a team-building camp where students have to work together to be successful. Life principles such as determination, respect, collaboration and teamwork were taught at camp. This camp makes learning more meaningful and enjoyable.

Christine is also a valuable asset to the faculty at Hilldale. She goes out of her way to welcome new teachers to the faculty and make them feel like they are truly a part of the Hilldale team. She makes herself available to other teachers for consultation and support on a regular basis. She also volunteers her time and expertise to assist other teachers with integrating technology into the classroom and fixing everyday computer problems.

Christine works diligently to learn new innovative ways to bring the social studies curriculum alive to her students. She holds high expectations for her students and they, in turn, often meet and even exceed those expectations. Many of her students reach levels of academic success that would not be possible without such a dedicated and caring teacher. Christine truly exemplifies the qualities and characteristics of a teacher and is very worthy of the Golden Apple Award.

Linda Evans
English Teacher, Putnam City High School
Linda Evans is an English II teacher at Putnam City High School. She has devoted the past 18 years to the district. She is dedicated to the teaching of students in and outside of class. She has demonstrated dedication to each student that most cannot devote to even one student. This is displayed through her kindness, organization and optimism.

For the past three years, Linda has had 100 percent of her students pass the state’s English II EOI test. She makes English an exciting challenge for her students while providing new and creative ways to learn. She is also one of the Honor Society sponsors. She is in charge of keeping track of the many hours of volunteer work that honor society students give to the community. She works with students who need opportunities to volunteer, and helps those students get involved with our school and community. Mrs. Evans sets the highest standards for all her students, which ensures that they strive for the stars.

Linda is the chairperson of the PLC English II group. She has set up two review sessions that meet after school to help all of the sophomores be more prepared to pass their EOI test. She has also volunteered to teach a class of sophomores that have failed the third quarter of English II. Though she has a busy schedule, she is always happy to help others perfect a paper or be asked an endless amount of questions.

Linda has been the Putnam City High Pom coach for the past several years. She puts in many extra hours during the summer to help her girls raise money so that they are self-supporting during the school year. She attends summer camp with the girls to make sure that they are learning as much as possible. This is also a chance to build positive relationships with the girls that will last through difficult times that can occur as the year progresses.

Linda has had a great impact on the education of many students. Her professional demeanor, combined with her positive and upbeat personality, makes her a favorite among students. Her enthusiasm and cheerfulness fills her classroom. She personifies the spirit of the prestigious Golden Apple Award.

Sally Limber
Special Education Teacher, Putnam City North High School
Sally Limber is a Special Education teacher at Putnam City North High School. She is known as a ball of energy, an excellent educator and a kind heart. Over the past 24 years she has gone above and beyond what is expected in her job and responsibility. She has been a steady source of guidance and encouragement to others.

Many people have no idea the extent of care and hard work Sally has done with her department. They especially don’t know about the individual care she gives each student. She spends countless hours collaborating with teachers to make sure her students succeed. She gives her job special care during the school day, but also spends evenings working with these students.

Sally has served as department head for the past two years, and she has been a tireless advocate for students with special needs and for those who serve them. Her willingness to speak boldly on behalf of other teachers is invaluable.

Sally also serves on the staff’s hospitality committee. She was one of the original creators of this committee, which was implemented to meet the needs of the staff.

Sally’s energy is contagious. She gets excited about every project in which she is involved. She has spent countless hours working with the student council and serving as class sponsor several years in a row. This involves organizing state conventions, proms, graduation, class gifts, senior breakfasts, dances, homecoming activities, slide show presentations, just to name a few.

Most of all, Sally is a wonderful teacher and compassionate person. She has not only changed the lives of many young men and women, but she is directly responsible for the positive, caring, and nurturing attitude at Putnam City North. She is a perfect pick for the Golden Apple Award.

Beth Manning
Student Accounting, Putnam City Schools
Beth Manning has worked with Putnam City Schools for 20 years. She has shown a life of dedication and commitment to Putnam City Schools through the many roles she has played in service to the district. First as a PTA leader and volunteer extraordinaire, and currently as an employee, she has maintained a focus on doing what’s good for our students.

Beth was hired to manage student information for the district. At that time, only the secondary schools used an automated student accounting program. She entered all elementary attendance data into the computer manually on a daily basis. The following year, SASIxp was purchased and her job was to implement the program districtwide.

Beth is known to go above and beyond her call of duty. She always is willing to step up to the plate and create customized forms and reports to meet whatever need is identified. She believes there is no such thing as a "dumb question."

During the past years, Beth has been a state leader, serving as president and secretary of the Oklahoma SASIxp Users’ Group. She has presented sessions at numerous state and national conferences and is recognized by Pearson School Systems as a national leader. She is called upon frequently to provide user input when new programs are being developed or old ones adapted.

The State Department of Education recognizes Beth’s knowledge and expertise in the area of student information. Putnam City was one of the original pilot sites for The Wave and was directed under her capable leadership.

In the fall of 2006, Beth was called upon by the district to manage the District Enrollment Office. She ensures that first-time enrollees in the district receive a positive first impression.

Beth makes herself available to everyone who calls her office or cell phone whether it is daytime, evening, weekend or when she is on vacation. She always answers with "This is Beth," and someone’s situation at their school will be solved in seconds. She is an encourager and a positive problem solver.

The bottom line is that through Beth’s efforts, teachers have time-saving tools that allow them to do more of what they want to do and were hired to do: teach. Because of that, Beth is most certainly deserving of the Golden Apple Award.

Louis Navarro
Custodian, Putnam City West
Louis Navarro has been a part of Putnam City West for 17 years as a custodian and is an inspiration to the entire staff and student body. Louis is highly visible and never content just doing his assigned jobs. He always goes beyond the call of duty.

Louis is known to go beyond the normal job description of a custodian. Not only is he seen at school during his working hours, but he can also be seen running the sidelines at football games as part of the chain gang or volunteering as a chaperone at the prom.

He shows the students and staff that he cares about not only doing his job, but that everyone can be part of the community at Putnam City West. Louis is often the only custodian on duty and will be called to be in several places at once, yet he never loses his smile or pleasant attitude. His usual response is "I’ll get right on it!"

Louis shows the staff, and more importantly the students, that any job can be done with a smile! Even though his work is frequently thankless and unpleasant, he maintains a cheerful disposition. Faculty members frequently say that they haven’t seen him in a bad mood, even when his health wasn’t up to par.

Louis is never too busy to say "hi" or ask how someone’s day is going. He is a humble man who reflects a genuine love for the school, and the students spends many hours helping him and the school in any way possible.

Not all education takes place in a classroom. Sometimes the unsung heroes in the hallways can teach just as much and that is why Louis was chosen to be a Patriot Time Advisor for a year. Louis’ efforts are most impressive and very deserving of the Golden Apple Award.