Ballard High School Outstanding Educator, Golden Acorn, & Outstanding Advocate Award
The Ballard High School PTSA gives an Outstanding Educator, Golden Acorn and at times a Outstanding Advocate Award at the end of the school year.
Golden Acorn
The Golden Acorn Award is offered by the Washington State PTA in recognition of a volunteer(s) for his/her dedication and service to children and youth. It recognizes volunteer service “above and beyond” a particular job description.
Outstanding Educator
The Outstanding Educator outstanding educators who provide outstanding educational opportunities for children and youth that are beyond the normal scope of their jobs, to make the learning environment fun, beneficial, and challenging.
Outstanding Advocate
Established in 2004 by the WA State PTA, the Outstanding Advocate Award recognizes and honors an individual for continued and dedicated service to ALL children, and a demonstrated commitment to helping create strong policies relating to the health, welfare, safety, and education of children and youth.
We try to acknowledge people that have not been recognized in the recent past. Recipients receive a certificate and pin, and a contribution is made in their name to the WA State PTA Scholarship Program.
Outstanding Educators Awards, Golden Acorn and Advocate 2019-20!

PTSA Awards
1. Outstanding BHS Advocate Dick Lee (top to bottom, left to right)
2. Legislative Liaison Brian Duncan
3. Golden Acorn Heather Bioren
4. Honorary Lifetime PTSA Membership Mara Lim
PTSA Outstanding Educators Math Teacher: Marie Lassley, Social Studies Teacher (BHS Parent) Robin Dowdy and Special Education Teacher/Unified Head Coach: Robyn Maddess. Congrats to all and thanks for their dedication!
Outstanding Educators, Golden Acorn Award 2017-18
Outstanding Educators, Golden Acorns and Advocate Awards 2015-16!
Prior Award Recipients
School Year
|
Outstanding Educator
|
Golden Acorn
|
Outstanding Advocate
|
2019 - 2020 |
Robin Dowdy
Marie Lassley
Robyn Maddess
|
Heather Bioren
|
Richard "Dick" Lee
Honorary Lifetime Membership: Mara Lim |
2018 - 2019
|
Kira Franz-Knight,
Nell Niewiadomski,
Melissa Baron
|
Mara Lim,
Jenny Peters
|
Joel Niemeyer |
2017 - 2018
|
Sachiko Smith,
Timothy Stedman
|
Sharon and Jeff Parker |
Diane Taylor |
2016 - 2017
|
Matt Lawrence,
Jack Thompson
|
Mike and Jill Hansen,
Diane Taylor
|
|
2015 - 2016 |
John Foster
Brittany Newell
|
Pam Dundas
Lori Bjorklund
|
Demian Godon
Honorary Special Award: Lisa Fitch
|
2014 - 2015
|
Michael Broom,
Oana Rus,
Shelley Vertucci
|
Kim Flin,
Ivan Lysene,
Jenny Thomson
|
Heidi Bennett |
2013 - 2014 |
Debbie Arthur,
Lorie Buob,
Joe McColskey,
Eric Muhs
|
Lisa Fitch,
Sue Verduin,
John Verduin,
Ron Wang
|
|
2012 - 2013 |
John Nygaard,
Ed Herbert,
Shawn Riley |
Torii Guettler,
Sue Rauda,
Kathleen Marks,
Doug Brownlee |
|
2011 - 2012 |
India Carlson,
Sandy Jensen |
Betty Brownlee,
Patti Kost, Ted Inkley |
|
2010 - 2011 |
Ted Nutting,
Sooz Stahl
|
Shawn Burkland,
Sue Daley, Sue Redman |
|
2009 - 2010 |
Julie Chapman,
Alicia Hale,
Courtney Rowley,
Megan Vogel,
Jill Zawatski |
Kathy Bowen,
Diane Darling,
Suzanne Matchett,
Cindy Peterson |
|
2008 - 2009 |
Debbi Bower,
Dewey Moody,
Craig Nielsen,
Michael Smith |
Jerri Harden,
Mark & Nancy Ellen Elster,
Lori Hingten
|
|
2007 - 2008 |
Michael James,
Matt Lawrence |
Michael Smith,
Jim Vatn,
Patty McVicker |
|
2006 - 2007 |
|
Phil Brockman,
Cindy Richter-Juarez,
Lyn Porterfield,
Mary Wong |
|
2005 - 2006 |
|
Carol White,
Donna Dwyer-O’Connor,
Vivian Belcher,
Toni Bukowski
|
|
2004 - 2005 |
|
Ann Farr,
Debbie Geddes |
|
2003 - 2004 |
Charles Chinn,
Penny Pagels |
Susie Wyman,
Sue Gregor.
Lorna Hamill,
Rita Lambert |
|
2002 - 2003 |
|
Laurie Ford,
Diane Steen,
Shelagh Bradley
Mary Kay Olson
|
|
2001 - 2002 |
|
Paul & Pam Plumis
Peter Maier |
|
2000 - 2001 |
|
Josie Cleveland |
|
1999 - 2000 |
|
Michael & Mary Banks
Melissa Baar
|
|
1998 - 1999 |
|
Grayce Mitchell
Carbina Resendez |
|