The 23rd annual Crystal Apple Awards, a prestigious award that recognizes excellence in education, took place on November 14th in the Elsinore Theatre, and South Salem walked away with two wins and 6 nominations. Out of 2,000 Salem Keizer employees, 6 teachers and administrators from South were selected as nominees: Cara Fortey, Jennifer Harris-Clippinger, Laura Hofer, Ryan Marshall, Taya Woodall, and Tracy Isham. Office Specialist Taya Woodall and Culinary Teacher Laura Hofer both took home awards.
Office Specialist Taya Woodall has has been working at South for the past 5 years. When asked why she wanted to be apart of the educational field, she said:
“I wanted to be in an environment where I would be able to have a positive impact on others. I’ve always valued and been excited about education and wanted to use that enthusiasm to help inspire others.” Her inspiration for being a specialist comes from her relationships with students: “I think students don’t realize how much they teach me and how much they help me learn and grow as a person…I want students to know that it is ok to make mistakes as you can only learn from them and move forward. It is important for me that students know that I am in their corner.” She describes her experience at South as “fulfilling, humbling, and unpredictable.”
Culinary Teacher Laura Hofer, another winner, expressed the joy her job brings her:
“I’m very honored [to do the] work that I love to do, it’s my favorite job in the world and I’m grateful.” she said. Her favorite part of the job is her students: “Kids are the greatest people. I love them. Teaching them my passion and is the best job in the world.”
Four other staff members were nominated for a Crystal Apple award:
Cara Fortey is an English teacher at South Salem High School. After receiving notice of her nomination, she said she was: “honored and humbled to be nominated. Well, a bit overwhelmed—this is a lot for a diehard introvert,” Her love of teaching stems from her relationships with students: “I love the connections I can make with kids—whether that be seeing them learn something new or letting them know that someone really cares, that’s the core of it.” Fortey’s teaching philosophy aims at: “teaching all of the different parts of intelligence. So, I don’t just teach literature, I use a lot of art, music, history, and mix things up as much as possible to keep things fresh and interesting for me and my students.” She describes her experience at South as “energetic” and “innovative.”
Tracy Isham is a counselor at South. After receiving notice of her nomination, she was: “Shocked, and very, very honored. Especially being nominated with the other staff members. I am so impressed with all of the other nominees. Humbling, because there are so many people that are deserving of recognition for doing their jobs very well.” Growing up around teachers sparked Isham’s passion for education: “Being in a school was just a natural fit. That’s all I had ever known.” Isham’s goal is to “act as an encourager, a helper, an uplifter. Not to do things for them, but to help students do things themselves.” She describes her experience being a counselor as “Inspiring,” “challenging,” and “satisfying.”
Ryan Marshall is also a counselor at South. He had a similar reaction to Isham when he heard of his nomination:
“I am blown away. Completely in shock. I am really honored. Not only for myself but for the 6 other nominees at South. It is a testament to all of the great work the staff has done.” He went on to pay tribute to other great educators in his life and praise the students he works with: “I am the product of a lot of people, mentors, and teachers in my own life who have spoken truth about who I am and who they believe I can be. Working with students every day and the amount that students go through and have to overcome is inspirational.”
Jennifer Harris-Clippinger is an IB history teacher and the IB coordinator at South: “I’ve wanted to be a teacher, since first grade.” She explained. “I came home and announced to my family that I was going to be a teacher and I was told I was too young, I had no idea what I was going to do, I was going to change my mind and I wasn’t going to be a teacher so I’m pretty sure there’s a little bit of defiance in so maybe that’s why I like teenagers so much you always have to do the opposite of what authority tells you.” Being not only a teacher, but taking on the role of IB coordinator at the same time is a lot of hard work: “Mistakes are opportunities to learn…people sometimes limit themselves and have no idea what they’re capable of and what inspires me about teaching is just helping people awaken to their strengths and possibilities and helping them not limit themselves by what their past mistakes are…there’s no better way I could make money and put food on my table than to be able to help someone. At the end of the day it feels like it is time well spent.” She would describe her time as a teacher as “Hard, worthwhile, and inspiring.”
Past recipients of Crystal Apple awards include: Joyanna Forsythe, Katie Gilmour, John Dixon, Brian Eriksen, and Steve Norris.
Note: This article was co-written by Clypian Reporter Camille Sewell.
