Andrea Appleman

Position: Physical Science & Biology Teacher
School: Ada Junior High School
School District: Ada City Schools
City, State: Ada, Oklahoma
About the Nominee: For the last 22 years, the last car to leave the parking lot each night has been that of Andrea Appleman. School has been out for several hours, but Ms. Appleman remains, working diligently to prepare for another day. She makes her students want to be life-long learners. She believes it is her role to create a bridge between what the students already know and what they will learn as they investigate and explore. Ms. Appleman changes lives.Ms. Appleman is vital to many of her students that are part of the AVID program, a college readiness program for students who are first generation college students. She believes that their material should be personal and relevant so that the students will become part of the learning process. While Ms. Appleman’s classroom teaching is extraordinary, so too is her ability to nurture and build positive relationships with students. Many colleagues say that Ms. Appleman “connects” even with students that others have not been able to reach. She builds a climate of respect, creates a safe learning environment, and lets students know that they are both important and valued. Also, Ms. Appleman is a consummate professional. In 2014, the Ada City School District voted her as “Teacher of the Year.”Andrea Appleman is changing the world, one student at a time.[nominee_videos nominee_email="applemana@adapss.com"]