Dr. Don Beach Crystal Apple Society
HONORING EXTRAORDINARY EDUCATORS
The Dr. Don Beach Crystal Apple Society celebrates educators who have made a positive impact on the lives of students. Since 2012, colleagues, former students, families, and community members have honored exceptional teachers, counselors, librarians, coaches, and school administrators through nominations that support scholarships to current College of Education students.
Honorees are celebrated at a special event in May of each year.
Nominations for 2026 induction are due by Friday, March 6, 2026.
New in 2026
Returning to a Dinner Celebration
This year marks the return to a full dinner format, bringing together honorees, nominators, families, and friends for an evening of recognition, celebration, and community.
Each $600 Crystal Apple nomination includes:
Additional guest tickets will be available for purchase at a later date for $50 per person.
How Honorees are Recognized
For the past several years, originally in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic, tribute videos were produced for each honoree by our Marketing and Communications team. As we return to a dinner celebration, we are also shifting back to a more personal, in-room recognition experience.
This year videos will not be created. Instead, a current College of Education student will share highlights from the nomination during the award presentation.
To ensure a meaningful tribute, include thoughtful stories, examples, and reflections in your nomination that showcase why your nominee is an exceptional educator.
This approach allows us to honor each educator authentically, celebrate them in real time, and sustain the program for years to come.
What Your Nomination Supports
Crystal Apple Society Nominations directly support College of Education students through scholarships and program enrichment. Your contribution helps future educators begin their careers with strong preparation, confidence, and purpose.
Your gift leaves a legacy as it supports both the educator your honor and the next generation they inspire.
The Legacy of Dr. Don Beach
Dr. Don Beach (1946-2023) began his teaching career as a high school science teacher and served on the faculty at UT Arlington before joining Tarleton State University in 1981 as Dean of the School of Education and Fine Arts. Dr. Beach served Tarleton in this role and later as professor of educational leadership for 42 years. The recipient of a variety of awards and honors for educational excellence, Dr. Beach helped establish the Tarleton Crystal Apple Society and was honored with a Crystal Apple himself in 2015 and 2024. In 2025, the Crystal Apple Society was named for him to honor his legacy of mentorship, leadership, and service to the profession.
2025 Recipients
- Ms. Janis Antilley
- Dr. Jamie Borchardt
- Mrs. Xandra Carter
- Mr. Destin Chapman
- Mrs. Lynne Hamilton
- Mrs. Jana Crouch Jimenez
- Dr. Dennis Jones
- Mrs. Rhonda King
- Mrs. Sharon Lesley
- Dr. Emily McLemore
- Mr. David Osei
- Dr. Clyde Steelman
- Mrs. Jean Stokes
- Mrs. Kayla Stokes
- Ms. Nancy Summer
- Mrs. Nelda Priddy Terry
2024 Recipients
- Dr. Don Beach
- Miss Alicia Anderson
- Mrs. Tabitha Bleeker
- Mrs. Paige Castleberry
- Mrs. Becky Christian
- Mrs. Penny Elliott
- Mr. Jeff Kahlden
- Mr. Daniel Lamb
- Dr. Joseph H. Schuessler
- Mrs. Tina Sloan
2023 Recipients
- Mr. Brett Barrick
- Mrs, Monica Barrick
- Mrs. Dalta Ann Coulter
- Mrs. Jody Fain
- Mr. Kevin Ferguson
- Mr. Max Glauben
- Dr. Russ Higham
- Mrs. Debby Hopkins-Higham
- Dr. Beck Munsey
- Mrs. Diane Pokluda
- Dr. Beth Riggs
- Mr. Michel Wimberly
2022 Recipients
- Mrs. Jeanne Baker
- Mr. Travis Barnes
- Mrs. Pam Bloemhof
- Dr. Bill Champion
- Ms. Gloria McGregor Combs
- Mrs. Jessica Cowan
- Dr. Kenny Estes
- Dr. Laura Estes
- Mrs. Carolyn Hampton
- Dr. Karen R. Murray
- Ms. Ashley Radde
- Dr. Troy Robertson
- Mr. Brian Salge
- Mrs. Jolene Williams
- Mrs. Elaine Yearwood
2021 Recipients
- Dr. Randall Bowden
- Dr. Lesley Leach
- Ms. Amy McKay
- Dr. Cynthia McPherson
- Mrs. Brandy Musick
- Mrs. Ashlee Reed
2020 Recipients
- Dr. Jordan Barkley
- Ms. Lillian Hinson
- Dr. Deborah Liles
- Dr. Rebekah Miller- Levy
- Mrs. Tina Sloan
2019 Recipients
- Mrs. Stephanie Peacock Beach
- Miss Savannah Bowers
- Mrs. Brenda Burks
- Mr. Dale Collum
- Dr. C. Lisette Dottavio
- Dr. F. Dominic Dottavio
- Dr. Randy Ford
- Dr. Jim Gentry
- Mr. Spencer Henry
- Ms. Kelli McKinzie
- Dr. Roberta Pate
- Dr. Paul B. Paulus
- Mr. Matt Underwood
- Mrs. Lois Wandless
2018 Recipients
- Mrs. Kasha Bills
- Mrs. Betsy Choate
- Mr. Bobby Clevenger
- Mrs. Jenna Hayes
- Dr. Mike Leese
- Mr. Allen Mays
- Mrs. Nicole Miles
- Mrs. Kelli Roberson
- Dr. Christopher Sloan
- Dr. Kathy Horak Smith
- Dr. Sherian Smith
- Dr. L. Dwayne Snider
- Dr. Steve A. Steed
- Mrs. Arielle Sword
- Dr. David Weissenburger
2017 Recipients
- Ms. Carolyn Boggs
- Mrs. Lisa Chambers
- Mrs. Kathy Collum
- Mrs. Shanan Fowler
- Dr. Laurie Hawke
- Dr. Michael Hawke
- Mrs. Kim Kaiser
- Mrs. Sena Leese
- Dr. Julie Merriman
- Mr. Brandon Moore
- Mrs. Mindy Pope
- Mrs, Misti Schulz
- Ms. Anette Scott
- Mrs. Debbie Verdon and Mr. Stuart Verdon
- Ms. Penny Wright
- Mr. Dan Wright
2016 Recipients
- Dr. Ann Albrecht
- Dr. Don Beach
- Ms. Julie Butchee
- Dr. Ann Calahan
- Dr. Kylay Clark-Goff
- Mrs. Becky Copeland
- Mr. Mike Copeland
- Mr. Maatt etters
- Mr. Tyler Kelsey
- Ms. Kayla McCoy
- Dr. James McSwain
- Ms. Ronda Monson
- Dr. Robert Newby
- Ms. Joylyn Rainey
- Dr. Diane Sopko
2015 Recipients
- Gilbert “Beany” Bean
- Dr. Jill Burk
- Mrs. Wendy Cockerell
- Mrs. Emily Coffee
- Mrs. Kelly Eakin
- Mrs. Rose Ann Jackson
- Mr. John Kuhn
- Mrs. Liz Meiron
2014 Recipients
- Dr. Steve Crews
- Dr. Linda Ducan
- Ms. Rachel Harrist
- Dr. Dale M. Johnson
- Mrs. Cathy Knoll
- Dr. William G. Larmer
- Dr. Dennis Reinhartz
- Dr. Judy Reinhartz
- Mrs. Ester Tucker
- Mrs. Lori Tucker
2013 Recipients
- Mrs. Julie Brinkley
- Dr. Kyle McGregor
- Mrs. Mary Lynn Larmer
- Dr. Joe Gillespe
- Mrs. Julie Terrell Hinds
- Dr. James R. Stewart
- Dr. Dennis P. McCabe
- Dr. Pam Littleton
- Mrs. Kathleen Huckabee
2012 Recipients
- Mrs. Linda Beach
- Dr. Stuart Chilton
- Mrs. Kay Floyd
- Dr. George Lamb
- Mrs. Joan Lamb
- Mrs. Jennifer McGregor
- Dr. Betty Jo Monk
- Dr. H. Lynn Russell
- Mrs. Lisa West