Recognizing Outstanding Employees
The Teacher of the Year program recognizes and honors the contributions of outstanding classroom teachers who have demonstrated a superior capacity to inspire a love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities. Every year, nominations are made by students, principals, teachers and administrators for the Charlotte County Schools’ Teacher of the Year award.
The Support Employee of the Year Award recognizes outstanding support employees who have made unique and exceptional contributions to Charlotte County Public Schools (CCPS.)
Recipients of this award demonstrate commitment and leadership in their field of work and foster cooperative relationships with colleagues and in the community.
Every January we host the Golden Apple Teacher & Support Employee of the Year Awards to recognize these outstanding employees.
Golden Apple Award Winners
Congratulations Winners!
We thank all the outstanding teachers and support employees who make a difference with our children, our schools, and in our community.

Teacher of the Year, Lisa Branno Penwell
Lisa Branno Penwell moved to Port Charlotte when she was five years old. She proudly attended CCPS for the entirety of her K-12 education and has spent her entire nineteen-year teaching career at PCHS. She is the first person to graduate from Junior Leadership Charlotte and Leadership Charlotte. Lisa attended USF Honors College in Tampa and began teaching two days after she graduated from college. She teaches advanced English courses, serves as department head, and sponsors a Book Club. ...

Support Employee of the Year, Keturah Webb
Keturah Webb, from Astoria, New York, is the middle child of seven. She came from a family that believed in playing hard and working even harder. As an adolescent, Keturah’s passion for playing team sports instilled in her a strong work ethic and her ability to be a team player. Keturah has been everything from a correctional officer, to a custodian, to a basketball coach in our community. In all her careers, she strives to do better, help others, and lead by example. Starting out at PCMS as a...
Thank You Sponsors!
Every year a portion of the net proceeds from this event supports our Teacher Supply Depot and award winning Take Stock in Children program, serving students in need for over 25 years.
Thank you Sponsors!
Click a sponsor logo below, to visit the sponsor’s website.
Valedictorian
Bob Pietrasanta
Salutatorian
James & Penelope Williams with “All that Jazz”
Kim Amontree
With Distinction Sponsors, $500
Ambitrans Medical Transport
Banks Engineering
Byrski Estate & Elder Law
Charlotte Community Foundation
DMK Associates
Farr Law Firm
Harvard Jolly
Jones Family Insurance
Palmer Property Management
Dr.Craig & Lynn Pogue
Punta Gorda Rotary
Cara Reynolds
Word Empowerment Kingdom Center
YMCA
King Fisher Fleet, In Kind Donation
Cheerleader Sponsor, $250
Buffalo Graffix
Charlotte State Bank & Trust
Clearview Financial
Maura Matzko
Dr.David & Elaine Rice
Wal-Tech
Friends of Education Sponsors, $100
Cathy Bohling
CeJay Associates, LLC
DKG- Delta Kappa Gamma
Kiwanis Club of Punta Gorda
What are Golden Apple Awards?
Golden Apple Awards recognize outstanding employees. Recipients of this award demonstrate commitment and leadership in their field of work and foster cooperative relationships with colleagues and in the community.
- Teacher of the Year
- The Teacher of the Year program recognizes and honors the contributions of outstanding classroom teachers who have demonstrated a superior capacity to inspire a love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities. Every year, nominations are made by students, principals, teachers and administrators for the Charlotte County Schools’ Teacher of the Year award.
- Support Employee of the Year Award
- The Support Employee of the Year Award recognizes outstanding support employees who have made unique and exceptional contributions to Charlotte County Public Schools (CCPS.)