Eight support staff, five teachers and two principals received Crystal Apple Awards Friday night at Salem Convention Center.

Family members, colleagues and friends gathered to celebrate not just the honorees but the return of the annual awards recognizing excellence in local education for the first time since 2019.

The 15 honorees from public and private schools in Salem and Keizer were selected from a record 89 nominees, who all received red-carpet treatment.

The honorees include three bilingual instructional assistants, a school nurse, a transportation field coordinator and a technology support specialist. South Salem High School was the only school with more than one honoree.

The 24th annual awards gala was presented by the McLaran Foundation and the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce.

Here are the 2023 honorees, listed alphabetically by last name:

Ahn is described in his nomination packet as a "college-level math teacher and mentor" who makes learning fun and creates connections lasting beyond Blanchet.

He teaches several levels of math and helped launch an Intro to Engineering class after noting many students were pursuing an engineering degree in college and a club called "Great Books" introducing students to classical works they might not typically choose to read.

"He inspires students to find their purpose, and thousands of students are smarter, happier and thriving because of Mr. Ahn's influence on their lives," one recent graduate said.

Pope Brothers teaches AP U.S. Government and Constitutional Law, helping students learn about civic literacy and political engagement.

"Her impact is not just on the students but on their families as the students come home and discuss the topics brought up in Mrs. Pope's classes," the nominator said.

Her classes and preparation for the regional "We The People" competition enable students to gain valuable public speaking skills. She has facilitated student participation in mock court/trials and hosted Oregon Supreme Court justices, state representatives and City Council members as guest judges for debates.

Transportation Field Coordinator, Salem-Keizer Transportation Services

Cape serves students by ensuring they have safe, fair and kind transportation to and from school. His supporters have witnessed him drop everything to ensure a child gets home safely after missing the bus.

He leads the transportation routing team, and is described as an excellent communicator and problem solver. He also is known as someone who works to ensure drivers feel supported.

"I can think of so many occasions where Michael has gone to extraordinary lengths to make sure that a student is feeling safe on the bus, or that a parent's concerns are listened to, or that a community member's concerns about a bus stop or student riders are addressed," a middle school principal said.

Technology Support Specialist, Salem-Keizer Technology and Information Services

Daniels is described as an advocate for students and staff behind the scenes, someone able to listen, respond, problem solve and plan for future technology needs.

"Michael often is asked to assist our staff during times of stress or frustration, and he brings a calm, affirming presence while addressing the technology needs with expertise," a high school principal said.

A teacher noted how education and technology go hand in hand, especially since the pandemic, and how Daniels is part of a team that was essentially the glue that kept the schools and students together during online and hybrid learning.

Administrative Specialist, Salem-Keizer Music and Drama Department

Gebhardt is referred to as the voice behind the district's robust music program, working mostly at the Salem-Keizer main office but still finding time to visit classrooms and attend student performances across the district.

She works with middle school teachers to present the All-City Honor Concert, securing guest conductors and coordinating with site hosts on times and spaces for practices and performances.

"Her behind-the-curtain work is what sustains so much of what the public sees," a high school office manager said. "These Sheilas of the world often go unnoticed because few people realize what work must occur before a production."

Teacher, West Salem High School

González is described as a champion for bilingual education, known for keeping students engaged with her interactive ideas for activities that align with standards and cultural values.

One colleague called her a "lesson-making goddess." Another singled out her "gamifying" approach to learning.

In González's second-year U.S. History class, also taught in Spanish, students work in groups to create a board game incorporating a movement or event of the 1960s. Some of last year's entries included Vietnam War Memory and a version of Sorry! where game pieces represented members from various racial and gender groups.

Bilingual Instructional Assistant, McKay High School

Herrera works with classes in which a majority of students are identified as English learners, providing one-on-one and small-group instruction in English and Spanish. She works most closely with newcomer students at McKay.

"Having Maricela in my class is like having another teacher with me," one teacher said. "She is so much more than an IA!"

Herrera is known to go above and beyond her instructional assistant role by connecting with families and supporting students in their transition process to school in the U.S. She makes countless phone calls to parents and families, does home visits and checks in with students who may be struggling academically and emotionally.

Teacher, South Salem High School

Keck connects with many students beyond her classroom because she is involved with several co-curricular activities, including AVID, Link and Saturday School. She also supports a variety of sports at South Salem, from announcing to coaching.

She works with students facing credit recovery needs, motivating and inspiring them to pursue a high school diploma. She also works with students struggling with houselessness, bullying or food insecurity.

"She has an aura around her that exudes positivity, and it rubs off on the students," her colleagues said. "She convinces them that they can do what seems to them to be an impossible task, and then is there to assist as they complete the necessary tasks."

McCarthy is described as a compassionate leader and selfless listener. He goes above and beyond to ensure students are cared for and have what they need to be successful, often on his own time and with personal resources. When staff express needs, he is willing to pivot and give up a prepared plan to listen.

He believes students should have opportunities outside of class and is passionate about ensuring staff have the time to host clubs and coach sports and that there are zero barriers for students to be involved.

"Denny does not give up on students," his nominator said. "Denny takes time building relationships with students that often need extra support with behavior."

Principal, Queen of Peace Catholic School

Mucken leads a staff that creatively implements and weaves science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines into all subject areas.

When students participate in off-campus learning days outdoors, he often experiences the adventure alongside them. He also can be seen in the halls, in classrooms and on the playground, always fostering cooperation and teamwork among students and staff.

With enrollment increasing, Mucken recently helped obtain funding for a building remodel, including new classrooms and learning spaces.

Bilingual Instructional Assistant, Bush Elementary School

Navarrete works with small groups of students who need more support in reading, finding creative and engaging ways to help them with fluency and comprehension. She sends home a weekly bag including a book, a writing activity and a note explaining why the student needs to work on what is assigned.

She looks for ways to bring culture into the school, such as creating an altar for Dia de los Muertos, communicating with staff, parents and students about the holiday, and inviting them to bring artifacts from home to add to the altar.

"On days where staff morale is low, she will often write a joke, song lyric or riddle on our staff whiteboard to cheer us up," the nominator said. "Lifting the school's staff morale directly helps our students. This positivity radiates down to them."

Parker is described as an outside-the-box thinker. His classroom feels more like a family room filled with living plants, oversize lounge chairs, handmade toolboxes and an assortment of eclectic treasures collected by him and his students.

He focuses on creating a safe space for his students, including refugee students from Afghanistan, Egypt and Ukraine, and models to his class how to welcome new neighbors, respect culture and language, and see how differences make the classroom community stronger.

Parker "has established himself as the teacher who can connect with any student, on any terms, and help them grow and learn," the school principal said.

Nurse, South Salem High School

Proudfoot's focus on the whole child, including their mental health, has led to transformative initiatives at South Salem. The school unveiled a new "calm room," providing an oasis for students to emotionally regulate before returning to class instruction.

"Her impact on the learning environment helps students walk into classrooms healthy, happy and heard," the nominator said.

During the pandemic, Proudfoot kept staff informed and created a welcoming space where they could go to her with questions and concerns. This year, she instructed 157 high school and middle school coaches in basic medical training.

Instructional Support Assistant, Chapman Hill Elementary School

Spickerman has been called a child whisperer, providing support and assistance to special education and classroom staff for extreme behavior issues, acute medical situations, and difficult student transitions.

"She coasts into a classroom, whispers to the child who is struggling, gets at their level, makes them feel safe, and deescalates the situation with ease," the teacher said.

Miss Megan was the name most frequently mentioned when students at Chapman Hill were asked during a series of empathy interviews if there was a safe adult at school they knew they could trust.

Bilingual Instructional Assistant, Kennedy Elementary School

Steinlicht supports several classrooms through small groups and teacher assistance, but her most important role may be as the lead for recess duties, including organizing support staff, inventorying equipment and implementing expectations to create a fun yet safe environment for students.

She sought out training in Playworks, a system of games and activities designed to provide more structure during recess.

Steinlicht was a force behind Kennedy's after-school curriculum, with staff members volunteering for a week after school to provide enrichment classes in topics such as art, photography, cooking and pet care. She taught art classes, including one on rock painting.

Capi Lynn is the Statesman Journal's news columnist. Send comments, questions and tips to her at clynn@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6710. Follow her work on Twitter @CapiLynn and Facebook @CapiLynnSJ.