PENDLETON — Forty-seven educators in Eastern Oregon are winners of the 2024 Crystal Apple Excellence in Education awards.

“Every spring, we are excited for Crystal Apple time,” IMESD Director of Communication Michele Madril said. “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.”

The InterMountain Education Service District on Friday, May 3, announced the winners. An event May 6 at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande will honor the winners from Union County school districts. And Morrow County and Umatilla County winners get their due May 14 at a ceremony at the Pendleton Convention Center.

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, according to the press release. Administrators, coworkers, parents, students and community members submit nominations during a two-month period. School district administrations select winners from the nominations.

The following is the list of the 2024 Crystal Apple Award winners.

Morrow County

Ione School District

Chelsea Geer (language arts teacher/drama teacher/associated student body advisor), Ione School District

Bridgett Alldritt (educational assistant/office assistant), Ione School District

Morrow County School District

Paige Grieb (fourth grade teacher), Windy River Elementary School

Stella McMasters (second grade teacher), Sam Boardman Elementary School

Jason Palmer (science teacher), Heppner Jr./Sr. High School

Trixie Pullen (second 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 (fifth 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 and safety/attendance officer), McLoughlin High School

Lora Chesnut (special education teacher), Ferndale Elementary School

Ruth Dixon (math teacher), McLoughlin High School

Nixyaawii Community School (Pendleton School District Charter School)

Zack Brandsen (social studies teacher), Nixyaawii 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 (kindergarten and first grade teacher), Ukiah School

Jamie Polley (second-fourth 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

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), Information Technology 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

Award programs, which include biographies of the winners, will be available on the IMESD website after each event at www.imesd.k12.or.us/page/crystal-apple-award-ceremonies.

More information about the Crystal Apple Awards is online at www.imesd.k12.or.us/page/crystal-apple-awards.