GREEN BAY – Two Kewaunee County educators were recognized as 2020 Teachers of Distinction by the Greater Green Bay Chamber, the next step toward earning one of the 27th annual Golden Apple Awards for teaching excellence in the area.

Leila Balza, a fourth-grade English language arts teacher at Luxemburg-Casco Intermediate School, and Jaime Robinson, a second-grade teacher at Algoma Elementary School, were among 42 individual teachers and six teaching teams selected from hundreds of nominees. They are the only two Teachers of Distinction this year who don't work in schools in Brown County.

"Jaime Robinson exemplifies what it means to be a Golden Apple Teacher of Distinction," Algoma Elementary School Principal Katie Servi said. "She is an all-around influencer in the classroom, the school, and the community.  She seeks out opportunities to work closest with those who think innovatively and has a strong pull towards involving herself in change initiatives in the district. Her dedication to the profession and her impact on students are both immeasurable."

Balza is a 2008 graduate of Silver Lake College in Manitowoc with a bachelor’s degree in education. She is in her 11th year as a teacher and her second at Luxemburg-Casco, having previously taught third grade classes at St. Bernard Catholic School in Green Bay and St. Mary School in Luxemburg.

“She consistently demonstrates her love for teaching and for her students,” Luxemburg-Casco Intermediate School Principal Jolene Hussong said. “She also does an exceptional job of using data, assessments and goal setting to assist her students in recognizing their own potential and growth."

From the pool of 48 teachers and teams, eight will be chosen by the Green Bay chamber and a panel of judges to receive a Golden Apple Award, with the announcement of winners this month.

Recipients are selected through a multi-level screening of anonymous applications and personal interviews. Selection criteria are based on the National Board of Professional Teaching standards, which identify the essential knowledge, skills and dispositions expected of experienced, quality teachers.

"Teachers of Distinction are chosen based on their commitment to meeting the unique needs of learners, knowing how to involve students in relevant learning activities and creating learning environment," said a press release from the chamber announcing the teachers.

All Golden Apple recipients and Teachers of Distinction will be honored at a ceremony April 15 at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Green Bay; the ceremony will be aired at 6 p.m. April 16 on WCWF-TV CW-14 and 5 p.m. April 19 on WLUK-TV Fox 11.

For more information about Teachers of Distinction, including a complete list, and the Golden Apple Awards, visit greatergbc.org/goldenapples.

Contact Christopher Clough at 920-741-7952, 920-562-8900 or [email protected]

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This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press Gazette: Luxemburg-Casco, Algoma teachers named Teachers of Distinction, up for Golden Apple Awards