Meet Our Teacher Re-cone-ition Giveaway Winners
September was Teacher Re-cone-ition Month at Salt & Straw ✏️🎒🍏 All month long, we asked people across the country to tell us about teachers who inspired their curiosity, left a lasting impression, or simply made learning a little sweeter. We were overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and are so excited to announce the 50 randomly chosen winners who will receive a special delivery of our Apple Harvest Series.

Alabama: Liz Shults
Teaches English at Oak Mountain High School
Nominated by sister, Abbie
Alaska: Zachary Lanphier
Teaches US History at Mat-Su Career and Technical
Nominated by high school teacher, Zackary

Arizona: Alejandra Flores
Teaches 6th Grade Science at Don Mensendick
Nominated by husband, Chris

Arkansas: Brenttia O. Clayton
Teaches K-12 at Teachable Moments
Nominated by college friend, Kiauna

California: Garner Saguil
Teaches 4th Grade at Dingeman Elementary School
Nominated by student parent, Jonathan

Colorado: Emily Chatburn Skodras
Teaches 1st Grade at High Peaks Elementary School
Nominated by friend and former co-worker, Caroline

Connecticut: Catherine Donahue
Teaches 8th Grade Language Arts at John Wallace Middle School
Nominated by former student, Julie

Delaware: Amy Platt
Teaches 1st Grade at St. John The Beloved
Nominated by daughter, Jessic

Florida: Emily Lindfors
Teaches 2nd Grade at Keenes Crossing Elementary School
Nominated by family member, Tom

Georgia: Meghan Quinlan
Teaches English & Dance at Sol C. Johnson High School
Nominated by best friend, Alyssa

Hawaii: Danielle Hipol
Teaches Preschool Special Education at Lehua Elementary School
Nominated by friend, Michele

Idaho: Paula Karr
Teaches Kindergarten at Lena Whitmore Elementary School
Nominated by daughter, Tara
Illinois: Alison Winter
Teaches 4th Grad Bilingual Education at Richmond Elementary School
Nominated by sister, Jessica

Indiana: Lucy Eash
Teaches 3rd Grade at LaVille Jr Sr High School
Nominated by sister, Gloria
Iowa: Adam Crews
Teaches Agriculture at Louisa-Muscatine High School
Nominated by sister, Cassandra

Kansas: Karisa Shiraki
Teaches Introductory Spanish at the University of Kansas
Nominated by friend, Michele

Kentucky: Jaime Giger
Teaches 6-8th Grade Visual Arts at Lexington Traditional Magnet School
Nominated by student, Missy
Louisiana: Sasha Somers
Teaches Middle at Young Audiences Charter School
Nominated by friend, Rotem
Maine: Holly Noble
Taught High School
Nominated by former coworker, Rachel

Maryland: Kelley Pfefferkorn
Teaches Special Education at River Hill High School
Nominated by best friend, Bryanne
Massachusetts: Lisa Lambert
Teaches 6th Grade Science at Gibbs School
Nominated by friend, Charles

Michigan: Shawn Aimesbury
Teaches Physical Education at Lakeview Middle School
Nominated by daughter, Hannah

Minnesota: Jen Solberg
Teaches Kindergarten at Spring Grove Secondary
Nominated by friend, Chelsea

Mississippi: Susan Ingram
Teaches Art at Jackson Academy
Nominated by daughter, Bethany
Missouri: Bradley Ross
Teaches English at Warrenton High School
Nominated by student, Krista
Montana: Shannon Matthies-Callahan
Teaches 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Grade at Smith Elementary
Nominated by cousin, Emily

Nebraska: Kate Bergdolt
Teaches Kindergarten at Faith Lutheran
Nominated by daughter, Hannah

Nevada: Rebecca Brock
Teaches Pre-K at Trinity Lutheran Childcare Center
Nominated by husband, Justin
New Hampshire: Tracy Hager
Teaches 3rd Grade at Newfields Elementary School
Nominated by son, Chris

New Jersey: Lori Wootton
Teaches Life Skills for Students with High Functioning Autism at Memorial Middle School
Nominated by daughter, Taylor
New Mexico: Rachel Kain
Teaches Art at Tony Hillerman Middle School
Nominated by sister, Jaime

Teaches 6th Grade Math at IS 49
Nominated by partner, Bill

New York: Wanda Caine
Teaches English at Edward A Reynolds West Side High School
Nominated by daughter, Phoebe

North Carolina: Gina Grandi
Teaches Drama at Appalachian State University
Nominated by friend, Alexa
North Dakota: Maggie Schwab
Teaches Special Education at Mandan Middle School
Nominated by sister, Gretta
Ohio: Melissa Jankowski
Teaches Kindergarten at Ottawa Hills Elementary School
Nominated by student’s parent, Shelley

Oklahoma: Carrie Lynn Gonzalez
Teaches History and Science at MacArthur Middle School
Nominated by family friend, Austin

Oregon: Taylor Eilders
Teaches 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade at Our Saviors Christian Elementary School
Nominated by fiance, Clayton

Pennsylvania: Elizabeth Simpson
Teaches Autistic Support at Upper Darby High School
Nominated by friend and former classmate, Megan
Rhode Island: Kerry Doyle
Teaches Applied Social Work at USC
Nominated by former student, Caitlin
South Carolina: Katherine Huggins
Teaches 3rd Grade at Millwood Elementary School
Nominated by student’s parent, Chad

South Dakota: Molly Ring
Teaches Math at Brandon Valley Middle School
Nominated by friend, Laura

Tennessee: Carrigan Pate
Teaches 3rd Grade at Walton Ferry Elementary School
Nominated by husband, Sam

Texas: Jenette Champagne
Teaches Chemistry at The Woodlands High School
Nominated by former student, Lillie
Utah: Nicole Dowd
Teaches 5th Grade at Eagle Elementary School
Nominated by sister, Rochelle
Vermont: Berta Frank
Teaches Music at Browns River Middle School
Nominated by student, Tessa
Virginia: Maria Kostelni
Teaches 1st Grade at Central Elementary School
Nominated by student’s parent, Casey
Washington: Michele Rene Johnson
Counselor at Creswood Elementary School
Nominated by friend, Robin
West Virginia: Holly Bowye
Teaches 3rd Grade at Rivesville Elementary School
Nominated by sister, Danni

Wisconsin: Jennifer Nelson
Teaches 3rd and 4th Grade at Edgerton School District
Nominated by daughter, Lindsay

Wyoming: Theresa Brunker
Teaches English as a Second Language at Central Wyoming Community College
Nominated by daughter, Ellen