Meet Kristen Wilson—a Golden Apple Teacher of the Year finalist

Kristen Wilson [Marion County Public Schools]

Kristen Wilson, a math and science teacher from Stanton-Weirsdale Elementary School, has been selected as a finalist for this year’s Golden Apple Teacher of the Year award.

Wilson, who teaches the fourth grade, has been teaching in Marion County Public Schools for 21 years.

“My classroom motto is every child, every chance, every day,” she said. “We just work really hard to build those relationships first and to build the pride in our students so that they’re willing to take chances with their academics.”

The Teacher of the Year honor is awarded by the Public Education Foundation of Marion County, and the winner will be announced at the Golden Apple Gala on Feb. 1, 2025, at 7 p.m. at the Reilly Arts Center in Ocala.

Marion County’s 2025 Golden Apple Teacher of the Year will win an Acura Integra, with a three-year pre-paid lease from the Jenkins Auto Group. The gala will also recognize the 2025 School Related Employee of the Year and Rookie Teacher of the Year.

Wilson isn’t the only educator in her circle being honored this year; she is the mentor for this year’s Rookie Teacher of the Year, Courtney Morris.

“I’m more excited for her than I am for myself, truly,” Wilson said. “I’ve had a chance to be a mentor with Courtney. She worked as a paraprofessional in my classroom. I was one of many who told her that she needed to get back to school and get that teaching degree.”

Wilson said her fourth grade students were overjoyed when a caravan, led by Superintendent Diane Gullett, surprised her during class with her Golden Apple nomination.

“A couple of them shared the overwhelming feeling that I had,” Wilson said. “They knew all through the process that we were working together toward this goal…they were just very excited and proud.”

Wilson said spending so much of her career at Stanton-Weirsdale has allowed her to develop a special bond with many of the students who call the school home.

“There are lots of students who use me as their check-in person, so if kids are having a rough day, they come back to me,” she said. “Our test scores have improved because my students are willing to take those chances. They feel comfortable in the classroom. They’ll put themselves out there. They’re willing to make mistakes.”

Wilson said it is these relationships with her students that keep her motivated and stoke her passion for teaching.

“It grows me as a person,” she said. “I’m always striving to become better for my students, to reach them in ways that maybe they haven’t been reached before, or in the way that they need.”