For immediate release: November 17, 2011
Zia Teacher Is Golden Apple Winner
Includes excerpts from a November 17, 2011 Golden Apple Foundation of New Mexico news release
LAS CRUCES – Zia
Middle School eighth-
grade science teacher –
and the 2012 LCPS
teacher of the year – Paulo
Oemig is one of seven
middle school teachers
statewide to earn the
Golden Apple Award for
Excellence in Teaching
for 2011. He is the only
teacher from southern Zia Middle School science teacher Paulo Oemig with some of his
students and Principal Heather Kingery.
New Mexico to receive Photos courtesy of Carlos Romero, Zia Middle School.
this year’s award.
A chemist before he was a teacher, Oemig describes in his award application two of his
own teachers that inspired him as a student: his chemistry teacher, who was fond of telling his
students, “in science and in life, question everything”; and his track and field coach, who
encouraged Oemig to “let your heart carry you to the finish line.” Oemig seeks to inspire his
students by getting to know them: “I listen to them and ask them for their help in the teaching
process; I get them involved in their own learning.” Students in turn describe Oemig as
“spontaneous,” “excited about science all the time,” and “soooo cool.”
“We are privileged and honored to have such a hardworking and innovative teacher at Zia,”
said Principal Heather Kingery. “Mr. Oemig is always striving to do his best in and out of class to
make sure all his students leave his class with a love of science," she said.
The Golden Apple Award has been given since 1996 to 109 New Mexico teachers,
recognizing that the quality of their teaching is the single
most important factor in their students’ academic success,
according to the foundation news release. Each year the
award rotates among levels, with 2012 awards – the 17th
year - going to middle school teachers.
The award-winning teachers were nominated last
spring by either their school’s principal or by other teachers,
parents, students or community members. The 89 teachers
nominated teach at 51 different schools in 22 communities.
Nominees represent 21 of New Mexico’s 89 districts, with
six teaching at charter schools and nine at private schools
from around the state.
Nominated teachers complete a lengthy application
Paulo Oemig celebrates being named a describing their teaching methodology, professional
2011 Golden Apple Excellence in
Teaching award winner. development experiences, community volunteerism and
other aspects of their teaching philosophy. Applications are read and scored first by teachers who
have won the award in past years and then by a selection committee composed of active and
retired educators.
Sixteen teachers were selected as finalists. In the final stage of the selection process, a
three-member team of the selection committee conducted a full-day site visit at each finalist’s
school. The team observed the teacher in the classroom and interviewed the principal, other
teachers, parents, students and the finalist.
Teachers are selected first and foremost on the basis of the quality of their teaching.
Teachers receiving the award have also demonstrated a commitment to the profession of
teaching and to their own professional growth as well as that of their colleagues. Many of them
mentor other teachers at their schools; others often serve as the supervising teacher for teacher
interns.
The award includes a cash stipend and $4,000 to be used by each winning teacher toward
his or her professional development. Each also receives a laptop computer donated by Intel
Corporation. Award winners become part of the Golden Apple Academy of Fellows, an ongoing
professional community of outstanding teachers that meets four times each year.
The winners will be honored by a Tribute to Teacher Excellence luncheon on Friday,
March 2, 2012, at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Albuquerque. Individual tickets and table
sponsorships for the Tribute to Teacher Excellence are available through the Golden Apple
Foundation of New Mexico, 505.268.5337. You can also contact foundation Executive Director
Celia Merrill at execdirector@goldenapplenm.org. Visit http://goldenapplenm.org.
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Oemig with Zia Middle School Principal Heather Kingery, left,
and MaryAnn Constantini of the New Mexico Golden Apple
Foundation.