Local teachers recognized as finalists for the Golden Apple Awards

Lindsey Sabela, a seventh-grade civics teacher, center, smiles as she receives a surprise announcement from Champions for Learning for the Golden Apple Awards at Golden Gate Middle School in Naples, Fla., on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016. Sabela was named as a finalist for the Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program's 2016-17 Teachers of Distinction.

Janell Matos, from left, and Joanna Campanile, hug each other as they receive a surprise announcement from Champions for Learning for the Golden Apple Awards at Poinciana Elementary School in Naples, Florida on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016. Each teacher was named as a finalist for the Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program's 2016-2017 Teachers of Distinction.

Janell Matos, from left, and Joanna Campanile, smile with excitement as they receive a surprise announcement from Champions for Learning for the Golden Apple Awards at Poinciana Elementary School in Naples, Florida on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016. Each teacher was named as a finalist for the Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program's 2016-2017 Teachers of Distinction.

Joanna Campanile hugs Principal Jennifer Davis after receiving a surprise announcement from Champions for Learning for the Golden Apple Awards at Poinciana Elementary School in Naples, Florida on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016. Each teacher was named as a finalist for the Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program's 2016-2017 Teachers of Distinction.

Janell Matos, from left, and Joanna Campanile, smile with excitement as they receive a surprise announcement from Champions for Learning for the Golden Apple Awards at Poinciana Elementary School in Naples, Florida on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016. Each teacher was named as a finalist for the Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program's 2016-2017 Teachers of Distinction.

Janell Matos, from center right, and Joanna Campanile, pose for a photo after receiving a surprise announcement from Champions for Learning for the Golden Apple Awards at Poinciana Elementary School in Naples, Florida on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016. Each teacher was named as a finalist for the Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program's 2016-2017 Teachers of Distinction.

Janell Matos, right, and Joanna Campanile, left, smile for a photo with their class after they received a surprise announcement from Champions for Learning for the Golden Apple Awards at Poinciana Elementary School in Naples, Florida on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016. Each teacher was named as a finalist for the Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program's 2016-2017 Teachers of Distinction.

John Krupp, a US History teacher, left, smiles and shakes hands with Greg Pasanen from Suncoast Credit Union as he receives a surprise announcement from Champions of Learning for the Golden Apple Awards at Golden Gate High School in Naples, Florida on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016. Krupp was named as a finalist for the Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program's 2016-2017 Teachers of Distinction.

John Krupp, a US History teacher, center right, smiles for a photo with his class and Greg Pasanen, center left, from Suncoast Credit Union, after he received a surprise announcement from Champions of Learning for the Golden Apple Awards at Golden Gate High School in Naples, Florida on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016. Krupp was named as a finalist for the Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program's 2016-2017 Teachers of Distinction.

Lindsey Sabela, a 7th grade civics teacher, center, smiles as she receives a surprise announcement from Champions for Learning for the Golden Apple Awards at Golden Gate Middle School in Naples, Florida on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016. Sabela was named as a finalist for the Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program's 2016-2017 Teachers of Distinction.