Sanibel School science teacher named to Golden Apple Award top 30
Middle school science teacher Dana Sanner has only been with the Sanibel School for one year and she’s already receiving top marks from students, parents and the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools.
Sanner is among the 30 finalists selected for the Foundation for Lee County Public School’s 2011 Golden Apple Award, an honor bestowed on very few of Lee County’s finest teachers — though, in the past, Sanner was named a teacher of distinction by the organization. Before coming to the Sanibel School, Sanner taught science at Diplomat Middle School in Cape Coral for 10 years and at Bonita Springs Middle School for three years.
Sanner now teaches Sanibel sixth, seventh and eighth graders everything from DNA to supernovas, but on any given school day, Sanner’s classroom might appear more like an art class or chorus lesson than a science lab.
“We just sang and danced about the steps of mitosis — I’m sure they’ll remember that song for the rest of their lives. We’re also going to make chromosomes out of pipe cleaners and beads. My students are always wondering what we’re going to do next,” Sanner said. “Science is fun. You get to do experiments, but you also get to do all the things you do in other areas of study, like reading, math, arts and crafts and music.”
And while Sanner acknowledges the fact that many people might call her crazy for actually choosing to teach middle-schoolers, she said that all kids are great — but middle schoolers are the most fun.
“Believe it or not, I actually really like middle school kids!” Sanner laughed. “A lot of people are afraid of them, but really they’re the best. They’re old enough to take care of themselves and they’re still interested in school and enjoy learning things. It’s like having the best of both worlds — they’re fun and they’re willing to do interesting activities.”
Sanner, who has a master’s degree in brain research and how it applies to school and learning, said that she likes to use interactive projects and experiments, like songs about cell division, because it helps cement the lesson in the students’ minds and, most importantly, it makes things fun.
“They don’t put up any resistance and they’re not scared to sing or dance or do silly things. You learn more when you’re interested, and then you want to learn even more. We try to do the most creative activities because it sparks interest,” Sanner said.
After receiving word of her nomination, Sanner had to fill out a questionnaire for the final selection process.
“They’re not easy questions, and they ask you very specific things,” Sanner said. “You don’t always know if you’re saying the right thing — but I’m very open and honest and I guess they liked it.”
Over the next couple months, nominees will undergo extensive interviewing and classroom observation and, in April, the Golden Apple Award winners will be announced and celebrated with a special banquet and awards ceremony.
Sanibel resident Joe Pacheco is one of the 12 judges on the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Golden Apple Award Selection Committee that waded through hundreds of nominee submissions, from which 30 finalists were selected.
“We’ve been from one end of Lee County to the other, from Lehigh Acres and Alva down to Bonita Beach, observing teachers, and out of 70 schools and hundreds of applications, the committee selected 30 finalists,” Pacheco said. “I think it’s wonderful that Dana Sanner of the Sanibel School was nominated.”
And the principal agrees.
“We’re really thrilled that Dana is one of the finalists for the Golden Apple Award,” said Sanibel School Principal Barbara Von Harten. “Dana is a unique teacher in that she really likes to do a lot of hands-on, interactive, experiential activities with her children, which is great for teaching science. She’s always doing fun, exciting labs, which really helps students grasp these complex concepts. She’s a great representation of excellence in teaching.”