Ten Catholic school teachers of the Archdiocese of Washington were named as 2020 Golden Apple Award winners because of their excellence in teaching and commitment to a quality Catholic education.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the teachers were surprised with the news during virtual announcements. Award celebrations will be held at the local schools when appropriate, rather than the traditional awards dinner.
“It is an honor to recognize these teachers for their outstanding service to our schools,” Washington Archbishop Wilton Gregory said in a congratulatory video to the award recipients. “Our Catholic school tradition is built upon unity. We are one family, one family united under one God who loves and cherishes each one of us. Congratulations to the 2020 Golden Apple Award recipients.”
The Golden Apple Award was created by the Pittsburgh-based Donahue Family Foundation whose founders, Jack and Rhodora Donahue, sent their 13 children to Catholic schools. Eager to express their deep appreciation to Catholic school teachers, the award was created to honor teachers for providing a quality academic and faith-filled education.
The teachers honored were nominated by their colleagues, students, and school parents for exemplifying the best in instructional strategies, Catholic identity, and knowledge of curriculum. The award recipients will receive a $5,000 prize along with a golden apple and certificate.
The 2020 Golden Apple Award teachers in the Archdiocese of Washington are:
Tricia Hancock, seventh grade teacher at Little Flower School, Great Mills, Maryland
Gregory Landrigan, middle school social studies teacher and language acquisition coach at Sacred Heart Bilingual School, Washington, D.C.
Germania Rebaudengo, fifth to eighth grade religion teacher and second grade math teacher at St. Bartholomew School, Bethesda, Maryland
Jill Rison, instructional specialist and art teacher at St. Mary School, Bryantown, Maryland
Harry Rissetto, theology teacher at Gonzaga College High School, Washington, D.C
Margaret Rodriguez, fifth grade teacher at St. Bernadette School, Silver Spring, Maryland
Susan Scott, middle school math and religion teacher at Cardinal Hickey Academy, Owings, Maryland
Susan Kelly Sweet, kindergarten teacher at St. Mary School, Rockville, Maryland
Kathleen Trees, second grade teacher at Saint Raphael School, Rockville, Maryland
Luke Young, theology teacher at St. Mary’s Ryken High School, Leonardtown, Maryland
The Archdiocese of Washington is home to over 655,000 Catholics, 139 parishes and 93 Catholic schools, located in Washington, D.C., and five Maryland counties: Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s.
