Teacher Lisa Hunter Chosen as Golden Apple Award Recipient
Central Catholic High School English teacher Lisa Hunter has been chosen to receive the 2024 Golden Apple Award from the Diocese of Toledo. This award, which has been presented for almost 20 years, is the highest award for a teacher in the diocese and comes with a cash prize. Lisa will be honored, along with the other award winners, at a special banquet at the end of May.
The Golden Apple Award recognizes the dedication to service, professionalism, and leadership our teachers demonstrate every day in classrooms throughout the Diocese of Toledo. Teachers can be nominated by students, parents, or fellow teachers. The Diocese of Toledo recognizes and deeply appreciates teachers who base their ministry on the following credo:
As Catholic School Educators,
we believe our Catholic School is not only a school,
but a community of Faith;
we believe those entrusted to us are not only students,
but children of God;
we believe we are not only educators,
but Ministers of the Gospel;
we believe the values we teach are not only character development,
but a call to Holiness;
we believe our courses of study are not only academic pursuits,
but a search for Truth;
we believe the purpose of education is not only for personal gain
and the development of society,
but for the Transformation of the world.
Lisa has been teaching at Central Catholic for 20 years, and she teaches American Literature and Creative Writing. She is also the CCHS English department chair. She is a graduate of The University of Toledo with a bachelor's of education degree for grades 7-12. She was inspired to become a teacher by her own high school teacher.
“When I was a senior in high school, my AP English teacher showed me that my love for thinking, reading, and writing had value,” Lisa recalled. “She saw me not as just a student in her class, but as a fellow academic. She instilled in me a passion for lifelong learning rooted in literature. I became a teacher in order to share the holy gift she gave me with my students.
“This award is only partially mine. It also belongs to my family, every student who has ever been in my classroom, every teacher I have ever worked beside, every support staff who has supported me, every administrator I’ve ever worked under, and our Lord. From the bottom of my heart - thank you."
Lisa was nominated for this award by 1 of her students, senior Jack Dempsey. Head of School Kevin Parkins and CCHS Principal Morgan Delp then wrote letters of recommendation.
"Lisa is so incredibly deserving of the Golden Apple Award, the highest teaching award in our diocese,” said Ms. Delp. “She is one of the first examples I give new teachers of an excellent role model for them to aspire to. Lisa's classroom experience is inspiring: students are engaged, responsible for their learning, cared about, and encouraged to be creative. Lisa is calm and commanding without being overbearing or stern, a gentle soul that emulates the love of Christ to her students daily. We at Central Catholic are so blessed by her leadership in the classroom and of her English department."
This is the 4th Golden Apple Award for a Central Catholic teacher. English teacher Adele Dahlin received it in 2006, English teacher Charlotte Best was awarded the Golden Apple in 2008, and theology teacher Sister Berneta Schneider earned it in 2016.
