Prairie Park School second-grade teacher Christine Wesley and a Free State High School social studies teacher Andrew Nussbaum won the Lawrence Schools Foundation’s Golden Apple Awards.

The teachers received the award and a $1,500 cash stipend during the annual Foundation Follies held April 20. The two educators were nominated by their students, parents, teaching colleagues and school administrators for their dedication and service to Lawrence children.

Wesley has taught in the Lawrence school district for 14 years, first at the former Riverside School. She has been at Prairie Park since 2002. Wesley’s teaching style has been described as enthusiastic, encouraging and engaging. One parent, Becky Rogers, described her classroom as “warm and caring.”

Nussbaum joined the social studies department at Free State in 2006 and has been praised for his ability to change the climate and culture of the building through his Interpersonal Skills course. The social studies class brings together general- and special-education students to learn about social awareness and other topics.

The course has brought students together that “never would have made event the slightest connection to one another,” said teaching colleague Chuck Law, who nominated him for the award.