The Roanoke County Golden Apple Teacher of the Year Award, presented in partnership with
the Roanoke County Public Schools Education Foundation, is the highest honor that can be
presented annually to a teacher in Roanoke County Public Schools.
Winners of this year’s prestigious Apple Awards were announced at a dinner at Hidden Valley
Country Club on April 16.
School Red Apple winner Lauren Burgess from Northside Middle, High School Red Apple
winner Barbara McGrath from WBHS, Golden Apple winner Kristen Canipe from Cave Spring
High School, Green Apple winner Peyton Hurd from Burlington Elementary, and Red Apple
Elementary winner Wendy Niday from Herman L. Horn. (photo by Debbie Adams)
Cave Spring High School Marketing teacher Kristen Canipe was named the Golden Apple
Teacher of the Year for 2025.
“How are we going to cultivate character today?” That question is what Canipe says is the
heartbeat of her classroom. “Adolescence is a pivotal time, shaping the leaders of tomorrow.”
She says she works to model respect, responsibility and safety in everything she does.
As the 2025 Roanoke County Golden Apple Teacher of the Year, Canipe becomes the nominee
from Roanoke County Public Schools for the 2027 Virginia Teacher of the Year Award and
receives the use of a brand new Subaru for one year, courtesy of Southern Team Auto.
Two Vinton area teachers also won Apple Awards. Barbara McGrath, a science teacher at
William Byrd High School, won the Red Apple Award for the high school level, and Wendy
Niday, a kindergarten teacher at Herman. L. Horn Elementary, won the Red Apple Award at the
elementary school level. McGrath also won an Apple Award in 2016.
Lauren Burgess, an English teacher at Northside Middle School, won the Red Apple at the
middle school level.
RCPS and the Education Foundation also recognize the outstanding teacher with three years or
less experience with the Green Apple Award. The 2025 Green Apple Award Winner is Peyton
Hurd from Burlington Elementary School.
Other finalists from the Vinton area include Traci Wren from William Byrd Middle School and
Allison Thornton from William Byrd High School.
check for $75 from Dr. Ken Nicely and Joseph Higgenbotham. (photo courtesy of RCPS)
Thanks to a sponsorship from Southern Team Auto, the Roanoke County Golden Apple Teacher
of the Year receives a check for $1,000 and the use of a new Subaru Ascent for one year.
The Red Apple winners received a check for $700 each; the Green Apple winner received a
check for $500. Every finalist (16 in all) received a check for $75.
“More than 130 teachers were nominated, and we ultimately narrowed the nominees down to 16
finalists,” said Joseph Higginbotham, president of the RCPS Education Foundation, who assisted
RCPS School Superintendent Dr. Ken Nicely, in presenting the awards.
“Several Foundation board members, including myself, served on the selection committee and
watched each video submitted by our finalists. The selection process was very difficult, and the
committee had a challenging time selecting our final winner. We are extremely grateful to have
so many incredible teachers in our schools,” Higginbotham said. He commented that “these
teachers show us what true excellence looks like.”
“We are so grateful for the continued support from the Education Foundation for our students
and teachers,” said Dr. Ken Nicely, superintendent of Roanoke County Public Schools. “Every
teacher is worthy of this recognition and I’m so appreciative of all the hard work and dedication
our teachers bring to their classrooms every day.”
He went on to say, “Teaching is not just a job, it’s a calling. These finalists have inspired
students to reach their full potential. They care about what they teach, but also who they teach.
Tim Greenway, who represents the Vinton District, said, “I wish we had Golden Apples for
every teacher in RCPS. They are our heroes.”
The Roanoke County Education Foundation was created in 1991 as a 501(c)3 non-profit
organization to help young people in Roanoke County Public Schools meet some of their
educational and personal goals. Their mission is to promote the advancement and further the
aims and goals of Roanoke County Public Schools through the development and application of
donated financial resources. They provide student scholarships for graduating seniors, classroom
grants for innovative teaching ideas, and assist with financial support for educational initiatives.
The Education Foundation Golden Apple Teacher of the Year program was created to recognize
and honor teachers who have made an impact on their students, either academically or
personally. Each year, teachers from across Roanoke County Public Schools are nominated by
students, parents, co-workers and administrators to receive the Golden Apple Teacher of the
Year Award, the highest award presented to a teacher by the Education Foundation.
The award is given to a teacher who has demonstrated accomplishments in the classroom and/or
with individual student performance. Criteria is based on, but not limited to, effectiveness as a
role model; making learning fun and exciting; mentoring students; and making an impact on
students’ ives.
Since 2004, several Vinton teachers have won the Golden Apple Award: Cheryl Brenton from
W.E. Cundiff in 2006, Suzanne Witcher from Bonsack Elementary (2007), Kathy Barber from
W.E. Cundiff (2009), Katie Sandlin from William Byrd Middle (2010), Melissa Carr from WBHS (2013), Dana Hoos from Mt. Pleasant Elementary (2014), Betsey Miles from Herman L. Horn (2015), Barbara McGrath from WBHS (2016), Tracey Broughman, Mt. Pleasant Elementary (2017), Ashley Williams from WBMS (2019), and Marianne Nester from Bonsack Elementary (2020).
Support for the RCPS Education Foundation programs comes from corporate and private
contributions. To make a donation, go online to http://www.supportroanokecountyed.org or call
Chuck Lionberger at 540-562-3900, Ext. 10262.
~RCPS, Vinton Messenger staff report
