As part of its April 6-12 National Library Week celebrations, Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Golden Apple Educator Awards. The honorees are Natalia Burke, middle school librarian at Lynden Christian School; Tammy Immer, administrative assistant to the principal, Beach Elementary School, Ferndale School District; and Jordan Wolcott, second grade teacher at Irene Reither Elementary School, Meridian School District.
The three Whatcom County educators successfully advocate for reading and public libraries to further student success. In addition to the National Library Week recognition, Burke, Immer and Wolcott will be honored at the Whatcom County Library Foundation’s Branch Out fundraising gala in September.
WCLS began the Golden Apple Educator Award in 2007 to honor the dedication of local teachers and school staff who connect students with library resources that further their growth and learning. “Our partnership with local school districts and educators is fundamental and critically important as together we work to build a love of reading by connecting young people with reference materials, books and stories,” says WCLS Executive Director Christine Perkins. “We are thrilled to recognize Natalia, Tammy and Jordan and to thank them for their outstanding work.”
ABOUT THE HONOREES
Natalia Burke, Middle School Librarian at Lynden Christian School
Burke is being recognized for the consistent and creative ways she integrates WCLS resources into her work through ConnectED, a partnership between WCLS and all Whatcom County school districts and Lynden Christian school that enables students to use their student ID number as a library card. Burke builds online databases available from the library system into student research, curates book collections for their reading, and regularly collaborates with WCLS Youth Services staff for school projects. WCLS Teen Services Coordinator Tamar Clake notes Burke’s “deep commitment to reading and the subtle and powerful ways it manifests itself in her library and her work.”
Tammy Immer, Administrative Assistant to the Principal, Beach Elementary School, Ferndale School District
Immer was selected as a Golden Apple Award recipient in honor of the thousands of little things she does every day to smooth the course for the library system’s deep partnership with Beach Elementary School on Lummi Island. Island Library Manager Erin Suda engages Lummi Island kids with a consistent calendar of programming, including hosting a weekly after-school club at Island Library and bringing library programs to the school. Immer has assisted every step of the way, continually working behind the scenes to ensure everything goes according to plan.
Jordan Wolcott, Second Grade Teacher at Irene Reither Elementary School, Meridian School District.
Wolcott is being recognized for the enthusiastic partnership he has built with WCLS Youth Services Assistant Hana Boxberger. He welcomes her into his Irene Reither classroom every month to share books and stories. Boxberger gratefully acknowledges the warmth and meaning Wolcott brings to that welcome, framing her visits as something special and celebrating the services the library offers his students.