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What a morning! Now I know how Oprah feels giving great things away to unsuspecting people! I was excited to announce this morning the winner of our Teacher Appreciation Big Apple award and TWO JET BLUE AIRLINE TICKETS to the Big Apple, New York City! Congratulations Katie Cox, 1st grade teacher at Russell Elementary School in Arvada, Colorado.

The essay, written by Kandace and Brian Anders, was just one of many incredible teacher submissions. The Anders nominated Ms. Cox because a little over a year ago she finished her master's degree and was heading to her first job as a teacher...sounds like the role of every teacher...but shortly after receiving her job, she awoke to a horrible headache, and found herself only hours later with a brain aneurysm.
Her doctors didn't give her much chance to live, but soon found that she was recovering stronger than expected. To overcome this was amazing, but Ms. Cox had to once again learn to read and write, and again rely on teachers for her recovery. Now, back in her classroom, Ms. Cox was extremely shocked this morning to find out she had won the El Jardin "Big Apple" Award and airline tickets for two to the real, "Big Apple", New York.

Congratulations Katie Cox, and to all of Russell Elementary School.

SURPRISE!
The presentation of the "Big Apple" to Katie Cox, Russell Elementary School, Arvada, Colorado.

teacher award group

Brian & Kandace Anders, Katie Cox, Ben Martinez

Katie Cox & Ben Martinez
ben and teacher

Congratulations also goes out to....

It was a very difficult decision for our independent judge to choose a winner from the batch of essays submitted. Next year we hope to continue this tradition and celebrate those who give us what we need to get through everyday! (Yes, I use Algebra sometimes!)

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING TEACHERS AND THEIR $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO EL JARDIN!

ARTIS SELBY - SECOND CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL -
3rd Grade

Submitted by: Karen Weiss

MRS. GREER - SECOND CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Submitted by: Ashlee Wittig

Congratulations to ALL of our teachers, parents, students, friends and families who took the time to write, we look forward to your submissions next year!

Give your teacher the Apple they deserve!
Airline tickets for 2 to
New York, THE BIG APPLE!
Read your assignment below!

Dear Ben,

For many years El Jardin has celebrated our teachers with discounts and specials ...but this year, we're finally able to give one special teacher and his/her guest airline tickets for two to New York! Finally, an apple the teacher would love!

I've always wanted to give out a homework assignment...so here goes!

Students, Parents, Friends of Teachers, Families....your assignment is as follows:

In 400 words or less, write a short essay on, "why you think your teacher deserves a trip to New York!" Once you have finished your short essay, bring it in to El Jardin with YOUR name, your phone number, email address, the Teacher's name, the schools phone number and the name of the school. We will be accepting essay's now through May 10th, announcing a winner on May 12th.

We will publish the winning essay, and two runner up essays will win a $50 gift certificate to El Jardin Mexican Restaurant.

Sorry, no email submissions, if I had to write with pencil and paper, so do you!

We look forward to celebrating the wonderful teachers at El Jardin, and look forward to many, many submissions...stay between the lines and don't mess up, I've got my red pen handy...okay, there's no grading, I just wanted to once again feel the power!

To all of the teachers who I was privileged to have, thank you!

Sincerely,
Ben Martinez
El Jardin Mexican Restaurant

PS...We can't go without celebrating our teachers, for all of the teachers who dine with us during Teacher Appreciation Week, enjoy 25% off your bill May 5 - May 9, 2008.(sit back, we'll do the math on that one).