Usually when a box of frozen apple dumplings from Omaha Steaks comes to your door, it’s not a landmark moment in your career.
That wasn’t the case for Cardinal Mooney math teacher, Tina Hughes.
Recently, Hughes received one of those sweet treats in the mail, and immediately thought it was a gift from a relative. Minutes later, it was discovered that inside the box rested a card, which notified her she had won a prestigious Golden Apple Award for the 2019-20 school year.
“It was an incredible surprise,” Hughes said. “I am so honored that Janet Cadman nominated me, so I owe a lot to her and my fellow teachers, the administration, and the students.”
While Hughes was quick to give credit to her colleagues and students, she also recognized Mooney’s tradition regarding the Golden Apple.
“I think of some of the great people who have won this like (former assistant principal and teacher) Theresa Yarger, (former religion teacher) Nancy Shugart, and (current art teacher) Maureen Kandray,” she said. “That’s a great legacy, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Make no mistake about it: Although this a crowning moment is a fantastic career, Hughes has the type of mindset that keeps her engaged.
“The students really inspire me every day,” she said. “I learn so much my just listening to them. I think, at times, they teach me as much as I teach them.”
While those experiences will be hard to forget, Hughes gets to see two of her daughters, Anna, a junior, and Jenna, a sophomore on a daily basis. Next year she will also get to see incoming freshman, Dayna. Nina, a second-grader, also has a future at Cardinal Mooney.
“It’s wonderful seeing my daughters in school with me,” she said. “I have so many memories of taking them with me, so it’s nice seeing them every day.”
Her daughters have watched their mom stay involved at Mooney. Here’s just a few clubs with which she in involved: Link Crew, Junior / Senior advisor, Music Ministry, Drama Department, and National Honor Society.
Once nominated, Hughes has to navigate a process with many steps to evaluate an educator based on service to the church, service to the community, professional development, her own essay, her being a role model as a Catholic educator, and her leadership qualities.