Each year, the Corvallis Public Schools Foundation honors four outstanding educators with the Golden Apple Award. Over the next several months, we’ll be highlighting this year’s recipients beginning with Jen Kreta, Dean of Students at Lincoln Elementary.
Jen’s entire 21-year career in education has been at Lincoln, where she’s served as a 1st through 3rd grade teacher, instructional coach, and, for the past four years, Dean of Students. She grew up in southern Oregon and moved to the Willamette Valley for college, earning both her undergraduate and master’s degrees in education from Western Oregon University.
Education has always been in her DNA. “I have always wanted to be a teacher. Both my parents were educators and it always just felt like the right calling,” she said. Instead of crediting one person, Jen honors the many students and colleagues who have shaped her career. “My colleagues and students have inspired me, helped me grow, challenged me, supported me and helped me gain new perspectives so I can continue to evolve in my role. I am so lucky for all of my experiences, because each one has taught me something.”
Receiving the Golden Apple, she says, is both humbling and encouraging. “Corvallis educators are working hard every day and don’t do it for the recognition, even though they all deserve it, but for the betterment of our kids. I am so lucky to work with some of the best at Lincoln.”
Congratulations to Jen Kreta on this well-deserved honor!
We’d like to extend a special thank you to The Ball Studio for their longstanding support of the Golden Apple Awards and for consistently capturing such beautiful portraits of our recipients year after year.
