Golden Apple Winners
The Golden Apple/Outstanding Educator award recognizes a teacher, assistant, custodian, bus driver or administrator who has contributed their time and talents to providing educational opportunities for students beyond the normal scope of their jobs.
Avery Slinning: Ms. Slinning has a special way of making her students feel welcome and respected; she manages to instill important values, such as kindness and acceptance of students of all abilities. An effective collaborator who always makes time for parents, she has also been involved with school drama productions and is the founder of the Healthy Habits after school club.
Donna Hoffman: Ms. Hoffman has been the reading specialist at Highland Terrace for the last 20 years. She’s committed to helping every student become a lifelong reader, and approaches her role with passion, contagious enthusiasm, a positive attitude. She fills the LAP room with games, songs, and engaging reading. She also serves on the Instructional Leadership Team, Student Study Team and Building Leadership Team.
Golden Acorn Winners
The Golden Acorn/Outstanding Volunteer award recognizes a volunteer who has contributed to our children and the community in an exceptional way. A Golden Acorn Award is very special and is given for continued and dedicated service.
Becky Logan: Becky started off her PTA career by stepping up to be the PTA President for two years! In addition to being President, Becky has helped plan Science Night for the last 5 years, and started the MiniGrant Program, which funds important school improvement projects. She has participated in countless PTA events including Heritage Night, Pancake Breakfast, Read-a-Thon, and Art Walk, and organized the back-to-school welcome coffee. Most recently, she has been volunteering as a Roots of Empathy instructor.
Nicolle Rutherford: Nicolle started as an exhibitor at the Highland Terrace Science Night for 7 years, then took the event to the next level as our Chair of the Science Night Committee! Through her very organized planning efforts, Science Night has grown to one of the best-attended PTA events at Highland Terrace, attracting 400+ attendees. She also serves as the school Room Parent Coordinator, and volunteers in the classrooms and grades homework for the Math Club, all while working as a NOAA scientist.