Elaine Erb Was Totally Surprised and Honored to Be Golden Apple Award Recipient 🍎

A look of total surprise registered on Elaine Erb’s face October 20th when WROC’s News 8 Golden Apple Reporter Katrina Irwin and several others, wearing big smiles, unexpectedly waltzed into Alexa Johnson’s second grade classroom where the K-2 Math Interventionist was about to help some students with math.

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Erb, who also is the school’s Second Grade Leader and a Co-Site Coordinator for the Newark Primary After School Program, blushed as she was completely caught off guard, in a good way, when she found herself nearly speechless in front of Irwin, who was holding a microphone and the WROC cameraman Eric Schedlebauer

About a half hour later, when the excitement died down and she had time to think about what had just happened, Erb said she was totally surprised and honored.

“Being nominated by my second-grade team makes this recognition especially meaningful,” she said. I am grateful for their support, friendship, and partnership in helping our students grow and succeed. Teaching is truly a team effort, and I am fortunate to work alongside educators who continually strive to learn and grow. My team and our students inspire me every day to keep improving as an educator.

The second-grade team she was referring to includes Rachel Hawver, a Lincoln School second grade teacher who this year is doing an administrative internship at Newark Middle School and in the District Office, and second graders teachers Alexa Johnson and Alexandra VerMeersch.

They nominated Erb for the award that is given out weekly to outstanding educators in the region.

In their nominating letter, they wrote:

“Elaine Erb is incredibly deserving of the Golden Apple Award because of the leadership, knowledge, and support she brings to Lincoln Elementary every day. As our second-grade grade-level leader, she is a mentor and trusted resource for so many teachers throughout the building. Elaine has an incredible understanding of curriculum, instruction, and student needs, and she is always willing to share her expertise and help others grow.

“In addition to being Lincoln's sole AIS math provider, Elaine serves as a co-coordinator of the primary Extended School Day (ESD) program and plays an important role in leading IST meetings to ensure students receive the support they need. She is exceptionally organized, dependable, and always thinking about what is best for both students and staff.

“What truly sets Elaine apart is her willingness to support the people around her. She recognizes what teachers need and works to help them succeed, often taking on responsibilities that extend well beyond her own role. Elaine is the kind of educator and leader who makes everyone around her better. Her dedication, expertise, and commitment to the Lincoln community make her an outstanding candidate for the Golden Apple Award.”

“Elaine is an exceptional educator and leader in our building,” Lincoln Principal Hamelinck said. “She keeps students, staff and families at the center of every decision that she makes. Elaine is always looking to give her best and encourages those around her to rise to theirs.

“People often think of administrators as the leaders of the building, however, the greatest impact of leadership often comes from a colleague in a supporting role who helps build your instructional craft and works boots on the ground with you daily,” Superintendent Susan Hasenauer said. “Elaine is exactly that person. Through her various roles she is able to not only have a direct role in the lives of students but a direct role in building the capacity of our teachers. A true inspiration…”

Erb, who lives in Phelps with her husband, Jeff, and 14-year-old daughter Ava, has worked in the NCSD for 27 years.

She began teaching English Language Arts and Social Studies in 2000 at Newark Middle School where she remained for 16 years. She then shifted gears and went to Lincoln School where she taught UPK half days and the other half worked as a Math Interventionist. During the first year of COVID in 2020-21 she taught Kindergarten and then the following year she went back to working as the school’s Math Interventionist and being the school’s Kindergarten Grade leader. The following year she became the school’s Second Grader leader.

Erb earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at SUNY Geneseo and her master’s degree in K-12 Reading Education from Nazareth College.

The Golden Apple Award report on Erb will air on WROC November 3rd at 5:30 PM.