Kindergarten teacher Kelly Mains knows first-hand the hard work required to win a Golden Apple.
The Lee County Foundation for public schools evaluates stacks of nominations, and all this week, we’re introducing you to the winners.
Here we show you why Lehigh Acres Tortuga Preserve Elementary has a reason to be proud.
The first thing Mains showed us was something you don’t expect from kindergartners — they were reading at a second-grade level.
The Lehigh Acres Golden Apple winner says everything she learned came from her mother, who also worked in education.
Kelly Mains is in her 23rd year of teaching. She says she got into the business and stays in education for two reasons: her sons Nick and Kyle.
It was an emotional Golden Apple surprise the day she won as she was surrounded by her “other kids.” She is in a sense another mom to her students.
And eventually, when the day comes to say goodbye to her final class, it will likely be a group just starting their journey.