Apples for the teachers

(CNS): The nomination process for the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce Annual Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching is now open. Students, parents and educators can nominate highly-esteemed teachers and principals and, for the first time this year, the Chamber is asking for public nominations for a recipient for the Lifetime Achievement Award in Education.

The Chamber said only students, parents and fellow educators are invited to submit a nomination for this award. There are seven categories for nomination for a Golden Apple Award: Primary School Teacher in a Public School, Primary School Teacher in a Private School, Middle School Teacher in a Public School, Middle School Teacher in a Private School, High School Teacher in a Public School, High School Teacher in a Private School and Principal in a Public or Private School. Please note that the seven previous recipients are not eligible for nomination.

Known as “the Golden Apples”, the awards ceremony and dinner recognizing these talented individuals, will take place at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman on Saturday, 20 June. Twenty-one teachers and principals currently in full-time employment will be honoured for their dedication to their students and enthusiasm for learning at the black-tie gala event and seven will become recipients of a Golden Apple Award LIVE on Cayman27.

This year, nominations for the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in Education are open to the public. Introduced in 2008, the first Lifetime Achievement Award in Education was presented to Islay Conolly MBE, past East End Headmistress and former Chief Education Officer. The selection committee, comprising of the Chamber’s Partners in Education, members of the Chamber Council and representatives from the Department of Education, chose Conolly to be the first recipient for this award in order to set the highest standard of educator to be recognised. Nominees for the Lifetime Achievement Award should be living, retired from their work in education or have moved on to another profession after serving a minimum of 25 years in education (of which 15 years must have been served in the Cayman Islands). Reasons for nomination should include a description of a significant contribution to the improvement of the education system and a significant and lasting impact on the local learning environment.

Nomination forms are available from all schools, the Chamber of Commerce office and online nomination forms are also available on the Chamber website. The Chamber advises all students, parents, fellow educators and the public to complete the form carefully, indicating clearly which award the nomination is for. Suitable reasons should be given for the nomination and additional pages are welcomed. The nomination deadline is Friday 27 February. Forms can be delivered to the Chamber office, Macdonald Square, George Town, to the school office or faxed to 949 0220. 

Funds raised will go towards a scholarship programme for further education for our educators. Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are available. For more information contact Membership Relations Coordinator Kennedy Powery on 949 8090 ext 124 or email him at kennedy.powery@caymanchamber.ky