IMESD Announces 2024 Crystal Apple Award Winners
By Garrett Christensen on Monday, May 6th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE AND PENDLETON – (Release from the IMESD) The InterMountain Education Service District (IMESD) and its component school districts are proud to announce the winners of the 2024 Crystal Apple “Excellence in Education” Awards. A total of 47 Crystal Apples will be presented in early May to deserving education staff in eastern Oregon.
On Monday, May 6, winners from Union County school districts will be honored at the event at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande. Winners from Morrow County and Umatilla County school districts will be honored at the event at the Pendleton Convention Center on Tuesday, May 14. The events include receptions, and winners’ families and friends and school district staff are invited.
Each year, the IMESD partners with its school districts to recognize outstanding administrators, teachers, educational assistants and office and building staff for their dedication and commitment to students and for their willingness to go above and beyond their regular duties. Nominations are submitted over a two-month period by administrators, coworkers, parents, students and community members. Winners are selected from these nominations by school district administration.
“Every spring, we are excited for Crystal Apple time! Recognizing the amazingly talented and dedicated employees who serve students in our districts is a highlight of the end of the school year in our region,” said Michele Madril, IMESD Director of Communication.
The IMESD would like to thank our 2024 Crystal Apple Award sponsors: CHI St. Anthony Hospital, First Community Credit Union and Wheatland Insurance.
Below is the list of the 2024 Crystal Apple Award winners.
Award programs, which include biographies of the winners will be available on the IMESD website after each event: https://www.imesd.k12.or.us/page/crystal-apple-award-ceremonies(If you need this in a different format, please contact Michele Madril.)
Photos of the winners will be available after each event – please request from michele.madril@imesd.k12.or.us.
More information about the Crystal Apple Awards can be found at: https://www.imesd.k12.or.us/page/crystal-apple-awards
2024 Crystal Apple Award Winners
InterMountain ESD
Margaret Anderson (Autism Consultant), Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education Program
Katherine Calvert (Educational Assistant), Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education Program
Terri Carr (Financial Specialist), Business Department
Ian Shadle (Systems Engineer), IT Department
Union County
Elgin School District
Tom Sorensen (Principal), Stella Mayfield Elementary
Amanda Welch (Art Teacher). Stella Mayfield Elementary
Imbler School District
Melissa Bonanno (English/Social Studies Teacher), Imbler Junior High School
Talia Mayo (Paraprofessional). Imbler Elementary School
La Grande School District
Carla Arnold (Music Teacher), Central Elementary School
Kristi Mendoza (Special Education Teacher), Central Elementary School
Kinsey Smith (Reading Teacher), Greenwood Elementary School
Micah Tibbetts (Data Specialist), District Office
North Powder School District
Matt Richardson (Math Teacher), North Powder School District
Minnie Shoemaker (Head Cook). North Powder School District
Union School District
Toni Huston (Special Education Assistant), Union Elementary School
John Townsend (Career and Technical Education Teacher), Union High School
Morrow County
Ione School District
Chelsea Geer (Language Arts Teacher/Drama Teacher/ASB Advisor), Ione School District
Bridgett Alldritt (Educational Assistant/Office Assistant), Ione School District
Morrow County School District
Paige Grieb (4th Grade Teacher), Windy River Elementary School
Stella McMasters (2nd Grade Teacher), Sam Boardman Elementary School
Jason Palmer (Science Teacher), Heppner Jr/Sr High School
Trixie Pullen (2nd Grade Teacher), A.C. Houghton Elementary School
Umatilla County
Athena-Weston School District
Jackie Culham (Reading Intervention Specialist), Weston Middle School
Elisa Weinman-Pogue (Preschool Teacher), Athena-Weston Early Learning
Echo School District
Norma Curiel (Instructional Assistant/Translator), Echo School District
Lindsay Murdock (Student Success Coordinator/Instructional Coach), Echo School District
Helix School District
Kristle Allison (5th Grade Teacher), Helix Elementary School
Miranda Morris (Child Behavioral Specialist), Helix Elementary School
Milton-Freewater Unified School District
Araceli Corona Andrade (Lead Secretary), Freewater Elementary School
Arnie Alvarez (Athletic Director & Safety/Attendance Officer), McLoughlin High School
Lora Chesnut (Special Education Teacher), Ferndale Elementary School
Ruth Dixon (Math Teacher), McLoughlin High School
Nixya’awii Community School (Pendleton School District Charter School)
Zack Brandsen (Social Studies Teacher), Nixya’awii Community School
Pendleton School District
Mike Bittorf (English Language Arts Teacher), Hawthorne High School/Pendleton High School
Kimi Carlson (Lead Secretary), Pendleton High School
Rachele Johnson (Kindergarten Teacher), Pendleton Early Learning Center
Angie Steidl (Bookkeeper), Sunridge Middle School
Pilot Rock School District
Alexa Collins (Kindergarten Teacher), Pilot Rock Elementary School
Rick Wickert (Custodian), Pilot Rock School District
Stanfield School District
Daniel Sharp (English Language Arts Teacher), Stanfield Secondary School
Laura Eddy (Special Education Teacher), Stanfield Elementary School
Ukiah School District
Reagan Enriquez (K-1st Grade Teacher), Ukiah School
Jamie Polley (2nd-4th Grade Teacher), Ukiah School
Umatilla School District
Isabel Cruz Jimenez (Attendance Secretary), McNary Heights Elementary School
Clint Hill (Language Arts Teacher), Umatilla High School
Melanie Johnston (Instructional Coach), McNary Heights Elementary School
Michelle Summerlin (Kindergarten Teacher), McNary Heights Elementary School
