PHOTOS: 31 Collier educators named 'Teachers of Distinction'

NAPLES — Oakridge Middle School language arts teacher Victoria Peterson feels very blessed. A teacher for 40 years, she still loves her job.

“You never know what to expect from one day to the next,” she said. “I love being with these young adults and having these fresh minds that I get to impress upon.”

To someone in her classroom, Peterson exemplifies the best of what teaching is. That’s why she was nominated to be a Golden Apple teacher.

On Wednesday, Christmas came a little early for Peterson and 30 other Collier County teachers. They were named Teachers of Distinction by The Education Foundation of Collier County.

Members of The Education Foundation surprised the teachers in the classroom with their award and a $200 cash prize, which was provided through the Mary Ingam Fund of the Columbus Organization.

Being named a Teacher of Distinction is the last step before The Education Foundation of Collier County chooses its six Golden Apple teachers. The Teachers of Distinction will not have observations by a Golden Apple Selection Committee in January and February. The committee will make the final selection.

Laurel Oak Elementary School third grade teacher Cheryl Coffey was all smiles as she accepted her award from former Education Foundation board member Joanne Fowler.

“It is an incredible feeling,” Coffey said. “I enjoy the fact that I get to share this with my students. I enjoy the kids so much and it is so nice to share the excitement of the Golden Apple process with them. It means the world to me.”

Laurel Oak Principal Charles Frontz said Coffey was most deserving of the honor.

“She is a very special teacher,” he said. “We are just so very proud of her.”

Coffey, who has taught for 16 years - half of them at Laurel Oak, said going through the Golden Apple process allows her to share her passion for teaching with her fellow educators and the community.

“If I am not excited about what I am doing, I wouldn’t be here,” she said. “I want everyone to be excited about what we do.”

The students were excited that their teachers were honored Wednesday. When asked what made her fifth grade teacher so special, Vineyards Elementary School fifth-grader Kathryn Quintero, 10, said “she does fun projects with us.” Kathryn and her classmates then proceeded to show visitors an Oregon Trail-like project that teacher Angela Roche used. The students were characters and had to try to survive along the trail with the supplies they had and picked up along the way.

“We all died,” they excitedly told visitors.

Roche, who has been teaching since 1995 and has been at Vineyards since 2000, said she loves her job because it is different every day.

“In a gifted classroom, they really keep you on your toes,” she said of her students.

Roche, who was a Teacher of Distinction in 1999 and 2004, said she feels she owes it to the student or community member who nominates her to go through the process.

“It makes sure you are doing the best you can do in (the classroom),” she said.

The 30 Collier County Teachers of Distinction are: Sharon Eve Baines, Pine Ridge Middle School; Wylie Bertuna, North Naples Middle School; Elizabeth Braren, Tommie Barfield Elementary School; Mary Bryan, Manatee Elementary School; Joann Cassio, Lorenzo Walker Technical High School; Timothy Chestnut, Barron Collier High School; Cheryl Coffee, Laurel Oak Elementary School; Cynthia Crouse, Golden Terrace Elementary School; Patricia Ann Della Posta, Palmetto Ridge High School; Susan Fialko, Corkscrew Elementary School; Diane Fontdebila, Osceola Elementary School; Lisa Garby, Manatee Middle School; Kate Hickie, Naples Park Elementary School; Christen Krembs, Shadowlawn Elementary School; Hannah Levitt, Lorenzo Walker Technical High School; Jackie Lippold, Calusa Park Elementary School; Angela Loerzel, Pelican Marsh Elementary School; Jean Lorenz, Naples High School; Marianne Mangels, Pine Ridge Middle School; Deborah Marino, Sea Gate Elementary School; Carole McPhee, Veterans Memorial Elementary School; Mary Jones Mootispaw, Avalon Elementary School; Jon Mundorf, Tommie Barfield Elementary School; Laurie Nowlin, Pelican Marsh Elementary School; Victoria Stoddard Peterson, Oakridge Middle School; Constance Pinckney, Golden Gate High School; Angela Roche, Vineyards Elementary School; Katy Rogers, Calusa Park Elementary School; Susan Soper, Sea Gate Elementary School; Kim Sweat, New Beginnings - Naples; and Suzanne Waite, Lely High School.