Jan Byers' students and their parents know her not only as a teacher, but as a friend and ally.

Byers, who is entering her 15th year teaching at Garfield Elementary School, puts in a full teaching schedule. Then she generously gives of her own time to ensure that her students vital needs are met; that they and their families have enough food. She helps them fill out important documents. And although her Spanish is English-accented, she works with the students still are mastering English.

"Basically, it's a desire to want to make the world a better place," Byers said. "And to do that one-on-one, by interacting with families in need."

Byers was one of four educators honored by the foundation for their commitment to students. Joining her as Golden Apple winners were Lincoln Grade School instructional assistant Carol Brewster, Linus Pauling Middle School teacher Cathy Spieth and CV language arts teacher Pam Mathews.

The annual Golden Apple Awards were founded in 1996 by local philanthropist and businessman Mario Pastega, who established an endowment for them and engage the participation of the Corvallis Public Schools Foundation. Winners receive a framed certificate, a golden apple statuette and a check for $630. In keeping with tradition, Pastega also presents the winners with a homemade loaf of bread.

Byers' dedication to the wellbeing of her students and their families is one of the reasons she was awarded a Golden Apple by the Corvallis Public Schools Foundation at the district's back-to-school rally Wednesday morning at Crescent Valley High School.

In a spontaneous addition to the ceremony, Pastega also recognized Corvallis High School Spanish teacher Jane Kiekel, who is the Mr. Spartan pageant coordinator. This past year, the pageant raised more than $100,000 that was donated to nonprofit organizations.

A profile of each winner of a Golden Apple Award follows:

Name: Carol Brewster

School: Lincoln Grade School

Position: Instructional assistant in the Title 1 Reading Program

Quotes: On winning: "I guess the reason I was able to win this award is because of all the support I had from my colleagues and administrators ... I really owe this to them."

Her favorite part of the job: "The human part. The part where I interact and engage with (the students) as the wonderful little people that they are ... "

Name: Cathy Spieth

School: Linus Pauling Middle School

Position: Language arts teacher

Quotes: On her success: "It's about collaboration, working together. You can't be good on your own. It's because of what you learn from others."

What eased her back into teaching after an eight-year hiatus to take care of her children: "It's because of the work Pam (Mathews) had done and shared with me which gave me what I love to teach now, which is writing, reading and humanities."

High School

Name: Pam Mathews

School: Crescent Valley High School

Position: Language arts teacher

Quotes: On what the award means to her: "In the 24 years I have worked here, I have had some amazing influences on me ... I really honor this award in terms of what people have contributed to me. Hopefully, I can pass the torch on to them as well."

Her favorite memory: "It really has been working with my colleagues and having fun creating exciting lesson plans to use with kids."