2021 Apple Award Winners

Chelley Dansereau

Early Childhood Instructor, Copper Mesa Elementary

While I may not have expected myself to end up in education, I am beyond grateful that my path has led me to preschool. Empowering young children is one of the most rewarding components in my career and personal life!Chelley Dansereau
Early Childhood Instructor

Early Childhood Instructor Chelly Dansereau at Copper Mesa Elementary faced the unique restrictions of 2020 head-on. She created and managed an eLearning Pre-K class while simultaneously teaching an in-person class. Through intentional trial and error, Dansereau designed a consistent curriculum between her in-person and eLearning students. She used the additional time gained to adapt or extend materials to meet individual student needs. Feedback from families is overwhelmingly positive, especially in how Dansereau enabled students to build fundamental relationships despite the constraints of eLearning.

Maddy Scholfield, an Early Childhood Education SPED teacher at Gold Rush Elementary, says: "It is difficult to put into words how much preparation, thought, and care Chelley puts into her daily interactions with our preschoolers, but it shows as she keeps 13 preschool eLearners engaged for an hour each day. Chelley does not let any of her time go to waste. She spends the extra few minutes to look for the perfect movement break video, adapts materials to make them appropriate for eLearning, and does it all with a smile."

When she isn't contributing to the success of Copper Mesa Elementary preschoolers, Dansereau volunteers in the ministry at her church and a therapeutic riding center.

Kristina Keer

Training Specialist, Nutrition Services

Education isn’t just memorizing information, it’s taking that information, being able to use it, and evolve with it to be a better person. Education is about working with others, learning from our combined knowledge to produce a better outcome.Kristina Keer
Training Specialist

The 2020-2021 school year was filled with firsts, especially for Training Specialist Kristina Keer with DCSD Nutrition Services. As the department's first Training Specialist, she faced a steep learning curve to ensure consistent and clear training for Nutrition Services staff.

Keer instituted processes and developed training material to meet the needs of the department. Her work was crucial to the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) in 2020. The majority of the Kitchen Managers were new to the summer program. Keer had to make certain each person understood the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) requirements and maintain a safe environment for staff and students.

Director of Nutrition Services Brent Craig writes: "It is breathtaking to see the innovation, standardization, and knowledge [Kristina] has brought to our program. This past year has been a great test for us all, and she has taken her skills and caring nature to new levels to help us through this pandemic. Tri-County Health commented on how well we kept our program working within the guidelines of COVID-19 and its sanitation schedules, social distancing, and general operational excellence. Kristina was at the heart and leading the way to make that happen."

As a leader, Keer dedicated time and initiative to build a positive climate and culture within the department by strengthening personal and professional relationships. Keer is also an Assistant Track & Field Coach at ThunderRidge High School and actively volunteers with local organizations such as Food Bank of the Rockies.

Cindy Berndt

Music Teacher, Stone Mountain Elementary

I will never underestimate any child. I am here to coach and help students actively construct their own learning. I will meet the academic and social emotional needs of each of my students no matter what it takes.Cindy Berndt
Music Teacher

"Being a music teacher during a pandemic means delivering instruction without the basic musical tools and resources," say Cindy Berndt of Stone Mountain Elementary. Due to safety restrictions, Berndt's students could not sing, share instruments, or play recorders. They also could not play the ukulele and guitar because the cleaning products would damage the instruments.

Despite the safety restrictions, Berndt kept the music alive with new COVID-friendly instruments and techniques. Now she teaches using easy-to-clean or disposable items like large aluminum cans from the kitchen, cutting boards, bouncing balls, chairs, sticks, paper plates, and tambourines. To shift her classroom, Berndt sought every professional development opportunity and took every chance to learn what other teachers were doing across the world. She is extremely active in local, national, and international music teacher forums that focus on delivering instruction and content under current COVID restrictions for varying learning models.

The Kruse family, whose three boys attend Stone Mountain Elementary, writes: "Watching Mrs. Berndt dig deep into professional development, reach out to professionals across the globe, re-invent instruments (including making them out of vegetables), and work tirelessly to stay true to the standards and ensuring her students receive the music education (and love) they deserve has been a sight to behold. Her commitment, enthusiasm, and quiet resilience have shown me the value of a true professional who will not quit."

Berndt looks forward to giving adults the chance to be kids again with whole-staff jam sessions of ukuleles and Boomwhackers.

Nadene Klein

Science, DC Oakes High School

Education is the key to open all of the doors available to us. As said by Epictetus, 'Only the educated are free.' These words are painted on the entry to DC Oakes High School and in my soul.Nadene Klein
Science Teacher

Nadene Klein, a science teacher at Daniel C. (DC) Oakes High School, made a conscious commitment to lifelong learning. And, like any passionate educator, she pulls in students and colleagues alike with her enthusiasm. Klein was the first person in her family to graduate college and to get a master's degree. She has also earned endorsements to teach middle school math and secondary English to better serve her students in class.

"While I don't currently teach math or English, science is the place where math and literacy skills come together," explains Klein.

At DC Oakes High School, Klein has pursued and won grant funds for professional-grade science probes and sensors, drones, and other equipment. She has worked to improve hands-on opportunities for scientific learning and to fund project-based learning opportunities. She does so while focusing on being a supportive person for colleagues and students. Part of her ability to connect with others comes from her ongoing challenge of managing Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Since receiving the diagnosis in 2012, Klein openly shares her story with students to demonstrate different aspects of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL).

Principal Derek Fleshman writes, "Nadene has been an amazing addition to our team here at Oakes. She continuously goes above and beyond for our students and is always looking for ways to better our program as a whole."

Outside of school, Klein supports the education field as an active member of the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) and the state chapter Colorado Association of Science Teachers (CAST). She also mentors first-generation college graduates and leads training programs for other teachers.

John Gutierrez

Principal, Cougar Run Elementary

Cougar Run is the strong school that it is because of his leadership that has trickled down to the rest of us. Mr. G is a role model of grit, of compassion and of what it truly looks like and sounds like to be a successful leader in this school district.Shannon McPherson
Assistant Principal

John Gutierrez has been the Principal of Cougar Run Elementary for 17 years and during that time has mentored and trained countless future leaders in education. He is a leader in the Cougar Run Elementary community and a leader among leaders, often offering advice and insights to other Douglas County School District principals.

"I often hear parents, staff, and community members speak about how at Cougar Run 'We do things very well,'" writes Administrative Assistant Andrea McNamara. "I thoroughly agree with this statement, and I think that our success starts with the leadership of John Gutierrez."