The Golden Apple Foundation of New Mexico Board of Directors is pleased to announce Cristina Torres Archibeque as its next Executive Director. A former educator and nonprofit leader, Cristina brings experience and a strong commitment to advancing teaching excellence statewide.

🎉 Happy New Year from the Golden Apple Foundation of New Mexico! 🍎 A new year brings fresh opportunities to support and uplift educators across our state. We are grateful for our community and the teachers who inspire students every day. Here is to growth and impact in 2026!

🌱 Watch Them Grow Wednesday 🍎 As we close out 2025, we celebrate our From Seeds to Golden Apples Micro-Grant recipients. Today we highlight Angelique Rodriguez, who teaches grades 6 to 8 at Christine Duncan Heritage Academy. Thank you for helping students flourish!

Happy Holidays from the Golden Apple Foundation of New Mexico 🍎✨ We are deeply grateful for our educators, Fellows, supporters, and partners who uplift students and communities across our state. Wishing you and yours a joyful holiday season and a bright start to the new year.

🌟 Happy #GivingTuesday! 🌟 As we continue celebrating NM educators, remember that all gifts made through December in support of GAFNM will be matched, doubling your impact. Give by check, Venmo, or at www.goldenapplenm.org. Thank you for uplifting teachers! 💛

🍂 Happy Thanksgiving from GAFNM 🍎 We’re grateful for the incredible educators we serve and for the friends, partners, volunteers, and donors who make our work possible. Your support strengthens everything we do. Wishing you a warm, joyful holiday. Thank you! 💛

🌱Watch Them Grow Wednesday🍎We are grateful for NM educators who plant seeds of possibility every day. Today we celebrate all who take part in our From Seeds to Golden Apples Micro-Grant Program & thank the Lange Family Foundation for making it possible. goldenapplenm.org/teachers/gra...

✍️ Every educator has a story worth sharing. This National Life Writing Month, GAFNM invites teachers across New Mexico to reflect on the moments that shaped their path. Your story inspires others. What part of your journey deserves to be written today? #GAFNM #NewMexicoEducators

💛 “We are honored to support New Mexico’s teachers and walk alongside you in prioritizing wellness.” – Heather Georgieff, Neuroo Counseling Through The Core Connection, educators can access free, confidential counseling designed for their busy lives. 👉 goldenapplenm.org/teachers/res...

🌱 Watch Them Grow Wednesday 🌱 Today we’re celebrating Lucy Haber, 8th Grade English teacher at Mesa Alta JH, who has earned multiple micro-grants through our “From Seeds to Golden Apples” program. Apply or reapply anytime: goldenapplenm.org/teachers/gra... 🌟

🌿 Collaboration is Key! 🌿 The Leopold Writing Program is accepting submissions for the 2026 Aldo Leopold Writing Contest! NM students in grades 6–12 can share essays on lessons learned from nature. 🌎✏️ Submit here: leopoldwritingprogram.org/writing-cont... #WritingContest #GoldenAppleNM

Writing Contest

Para ver la página web del Concurso de Escritura en español, haga clic aquí.

leopoldwritingprogram.org

GAFNM announces that Executive Director Rich Grainger will transition out of his role later this month to pursue another opportunity. We are now searching for our next Executive Director. Learn more and apply here: goldenapplenm.org/about-us/our...

Our Board & Team | Golden Apple Foundation Of New Mexico

The Golden Apple Foundation is governed by a dedicated board of directors composed of former educators, former Golden Apple Excellence in Teaching Award

goldenapplenm.org

Today’s #FellowsFotoFriday features 2025 Fellow Don Starr, who has taught for 19 years at Desert Ridge Middle School and was previously a Teacher of Distinction. His wisdom, humor, and creativity continue to elevate learning in his classroom each day. 🍎⭐️ #GAFNM #NMTeachers #TeacherSpotlight

Exciting news! An anonymous donor will match all gifts starting next Monday through year’s end, doubling your impact for NM educators. 🍎 Check: PO Box 40469 ABQ NM 87196 🍎 Venmo: venmo.com/u/GAFNM 🍎 Donate: goldenapplenm.org Thank you for uplifting NM teachers!

🌱 #WatchThemGrowWednesday 🌱 This week we’re celebrating Arthur Pacheco, 1st-grade teacher at Helen Cordero Primary (APS) & Golden Apple Micro-Grant recipient! 💬 “The grant helped me become a better educator for my students and community.” Apply: goldenapplenm.org/teachers/gra... #GoldenAppleNM

We postponed yesterday’s #FellowsFotoFriday to highlight today’s New Teacher Collaborative: Create and Cultivate a Student-Led Classroom online course. Big thanks to 2025 GAFNM Fellow Mary Kershaw for hosting an amazing session with educators statewide. #GAFNM #NMTeachers #LearningTogether

It’s Children’s Book Week! 📚🍎 From picture books to early readers, stories help students learn, dream, and grow. GAFNM is proud to support New Mexico educators who bring these pages to life every day. ✨Share your favorite children’s book below!✨ #ChildrensBookWeek #GAFNM #ReadTogether

🌱 Watch Them Grow Wednesday 🌱 Meet Frances Gonzales, 1st grade teacher at Helen Cordero Primary and Micro-Grant recipient using her award to support her growth and student success. Learn more: goldenapplenm.org/teachers/grants-scholarships/ 🍎 #GoldenAppleNM

In honor of National Gratitude Month, we celebrate the educators who inspire, the students who dream big, and our partners who believe in the power of teaching. Thank you for helping us continue our mission of uplifting education statewide. 🍎💛 #NationalGratitudeMonth #GoldenAppleNM

🍎 Just 5 days away! Join New Teacher Collaborative: Create & Cultivate a Student-Led Classroom led by Mary Kershaw (2025 GAFNM Fellow). 📅 Sat, Nov 8 | 12–1:30 PM | Online 💛 Free for New & Level 1 Teachers 👉 Register: forms.gle/qX2m1Bz2LpoJ... Thanks to Intel for their support!

💛 “Waves Behavioral Health is honored to partner with the GAFNM to support our incredible educators!” – Rebecca Sonnenberg, LCSW, CEO. Access free, confidential counseling through The Core Connection here: goldenapplenm.org/teachers/resources #GoldenAppleNM #TeacherWellness

🎃🍎 Happy Halloween from the Golden Apple Foundation of New Mexico! 👻 Classrooms may be full of tricks and treats today, but every day NM teachers spark curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning. ✨ Wishing everyone a fun, safe, and spooky Halloween! 💛 #GoldenAppleNM #HappyHalloween

🍎✨ Know an elementary teacher who inspires and makes learning shine? The deadline is fast approaching! Nominate them for the 2026 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching today! 💛 👉 goldenapplenm.org/awards/nominate-apply #GoldenAppleNM #ThankATeacher

Nominate | Golden Apple Foundation Of New Mexico

Watch our video to see how to Nominate and Apply for the Golden Apple Award! https://youtu.be/DU38pJMnkic

goldenapplenm.org

🌱 Watch Them Grow Wednesday 🌱 Sierra Beverly, a 9th-grade teacher at Los Lunas High School and "From Seeds to Golden Apples" Micro-Grant recipient, is growing her skills and inspiring students across NM! 🍎✨ Apply today: goldenapplenm.org/teachers/grants-scholarships/ #GoldenAppleNM #TeacherSupport

🌟 Today is National Mentoring Day! 🌟 Mentorship is at the heart of what we do at the Golden Apple Foundation of NM. Don’t miss our free virtual course for new teachers, led by 2025 Fellow Mary Kershaw! 📅 Nov 8 | 12–1:30 PM | Online 👉 Register: forms.gle/qX2m1Bz2LpoJ... #NationalMentoringDay

🎶 It’s #FellowsFriday! Check out Randy Martin (2015 GAFNM Fellow), Social Studies teacher at La Cueva HS and banjo player for The Kipsies, named Top Musical Artist by NM Entertainment Magazine. Their new single “Softly” is out now! 🎵 👉 www.krqe.com/video/award-...

🍎✨ #ThrowbackThursday Reflections ✨ We’re still glowing from our 2025 Excellence in Teaching Award Tribute Luncheon! 💛 A day of inspiration, gratitude, and celebration honoring the incredible educators who make New Mexico classrooms shine. 🌟 #GoldenAppleNM #TributeToTeaching

You’ve heard their stories and seen their passion. These are some of the inspiring educators of the “From Seeds to Golden Apples” Micro-Grant Program! 🍎 Thanks to the Lange Family Foundation, early-career teachers are growing and thriving across NM! 👉 goldenapplenm.org/teachers/grants-scholarships/

🌿 Collaboration is Key! 🌿 The Leopold Writing Program is accepting submissions for the 2026 Aldo Leopold Writing Contest! NM students in grades 6–12 can share essays on lessons learned from nature. 🌎✏️ Submit here: www.leopoldwritingprogram.org/writing-cont... #WritingContest #GoldenAppleNM

Writing Contest

Para ver la página web del Concurso de Escritura en español, haga clic aquí.

leopoldwritingprogram.org

🍎✨ Celebrate the incredible elementary teachers who make NM classrooms shine! 🌟 Nominate an outstanding educator for the 2026 Golden Apple Award by Nov 8, 2025. 👉 goldenapplenm.org/awards/nominate-apply #GoldenAppleNM #ThankATeacher #InspireLearning