Crystal Apple Awards

Portraits, names, and information of 9 winning teachers
The Crystal Apple Awards are an annual celebration taking place in March that seeks to recognize public school educators who have made a positive impact on the lives of their students. The program is sponsored by community service groups, businesses, and other organizations that want to recognize and show their appreciation and support for the thousands of outstanding teachers across our region.

Program Goals:

  • Recognize and reward excellence in education in public schools.
  • Encourage creative and quality instruction.
  • Encourage the development of a positive learning environment.
  • Encourage excellent teachers to remain in education.
  • Provide incentive for individual initiative on the part of educators.
  • Contribute to the improvement of education in the area's nine public school districts.

Award History:

Originally established in 1999 as the Tri-City Crystal Apple Awards, the program sought to honor the Mid-Columbia education profession as a whole by identifying a few of the many wonderful classroom teachers in seven public school districts. The 501 (c)(3) non-profit, the Dream Builder's Educational Foundation, has managed the award program since 2010.  In 2017, two awards were expanded to include two more school districts, and the Crystal Apple Awards now recognize teachers from these nine public school districts:

  • Columbia
  • Finley
  • Kennewick
  • Kiona-Benton
  • North Franklin
  • Othello
  • Pasco
  • Prosser
  • Richland

Application Process:

Each district gathers nominations and puts forth one winner (or team of up to 4 winners). (Contact your local school district to learn more about their internal process to determine the district's Crystal Apple winner.)  Each Crystal Apple winner is also submitted as a nominee to the Washington State Teacher of the Year program. In addition, one community leader is surprised with a recognition as the Special Achievement Award winner for his/her contributions to the education community.

What Do Winners Receive?

Superintendents from the nine districts present their winners with $1,000 checks, certificates, beautiful glass “crystal apples,” and numerous other gifts provided by area businesses.

How Can I Get Involved?

The Crystal Apple Awards are only possible through the support of generous community sponsors. If you would like to learn more about the Crystal Apple Awards or how you can get involved, contact Director of Communications, Elena Olmstead, at 509.544.5787 or [email protected].


The Crystal Apple Awards are only possible through the support of generous community sponsors. Thanks to the many community leaders and education supporters throughout the Tri-Cities and surrounding communities, we are able to recognize the outstanding teachers making a difference each day in the lives of our students.

2024 Crystal Apple Award Sponsors

Platinum Level Sponsors ($600+)

Bechtel National Inc, Central Plateau Cleanup Company, Co Energy, Evergreen Associates, Gesa Credit Union, Pasco Kennewick Rotary Charitable Trust, Stevens Clay, Tri-Cities Sunrise Rotary Club, and Washington River Protection Solutions.

Bechtel logo 
Central Plateau Cleanup Company logo 
CO Energy logo 
    Evergreen Associates logo
Evergreen Associates
 Gesa Credit Union logo Pasco Kennewick rotary logo 
Stevens Clay since 1982 Rotary international logo
Tri-Cities Sunrise
Rotary Club
  
Washington river protection solutions logo 

 


Gold Level Sponsors ($401-$599) 

Columbia Basin Health Association, Community First Bank, Kiwanis Club of Pasco,STCU, and WEA Southeast.

CBHA Community First Bank logo   Kiwanis club of pasco logo
   STCU Credit Union logo   WEA logo           

Silver Level Sponsors ($201-$400) 

DA Davidson, Design West Architects, Edward Jones, Framatome, Hanford Mission Integration Solutions (HMIS), Kiwanis Club of the Horse Heaven Hills, MMEC Architecture & Interiors, and Moon Security.


        DA Davidson Design West Architects 
           Edward Jones
  Framatome HMIS  Kiwanis International Kiwanis Club of
            Horse Heaven Hills 
           
         MMEC Architecture & Interiors                      Moon
                 Moon Security Services


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