This year, one of our wonderful teachers at Grandview Elementary has been chosen to receive an Excellence in Education Golden Apple Award! This prestigious recognition is given to teachers who reflect strong instruction, commitment to continuous professional growth, meaningful leadership, and deep dedication to the success and well-being of every learner. Third grade teacher, Mrs. Brooke Solszmon is a shining example of all things that make a teacher worthy of this award and we are beyond excited to celebrate her achievement.
Dr. Susan Short, Principal of Grandview Elementary, had this to say about Mrs. Solszmon:
“Grandview Elementary is proud to celebrate Brooke Solzsmon as a recipient of the 2026 Excellence in Education Golden Apple Award. Brooke is an outstanding educator who represents the very best of our profession through her strong instruction, leadership, and unwavering commitment to students. She continually seeks ways to grow her practice, embraces feedback, and works to ensure every child is successful. What stands out most about Brooke is the way she builds meaningful relationships with students, especially those who need extra support, while creating a calm, positive classroom environment where all learners feel valued. She is deeply deserving of this recognition, and we are proud to have her as part of the Grandview and Bellevue family.”
In her classroom, Mrs. Solzsmon works hard to provide a classroom that is safe for her students in a way that they feel comfortable to take risks and learn each day. Students learn to always prioritize their learning. They stick to a structured daily schedule as she challenges them through their coursework and pushes them to be their best selves.
Mrs. Solzsmon has worked closely alongside other teachers and staff and has left a positive impact on them while doing so.
Ms. McKenzie Baxter, third grade teacher, works closely with Mrs. Solzsmon and had this to say:
“Working with Brooke has been truly inspiring. She brings such passion and intentionality to every lesson, always prioritizing what's best for each student's growth and well-being. Her collaborative spirit and genuine care for her students exemplify what it means to be an outstanding educator.”
Lisa Taylor also worked alongside Mrs. Solzsmon and had this to share.
“Working with Brooke inspires me to want to be a better teacher. Her organization and intentionality create such a supportive, safe, and engaging learning environment in her classroom. I am so lucky to work with such a phenomenal teacher, coworker, and friend! Mrs. Solzsmon leaves a lasting impression!”
In her classroom, students have really clicked with their schedules and the daily work that pushes them to learn more. They know that learning is their priority day by day. Mrs. Solzsmon works hard to individualize learning for each student by looking at what will meet their needs. She states,
“I really try to pinpoint the things that they need to work on. I will pull kids back for small groups and during that time I'm really focusing in and I've seen tremendous growth. At this point in the year, I think I have almost all my students reading at grade level. So, I am just really trying to innovate and individualize their learning. Students who are high performing, I am also pushing them to continue to learn and seeing that growth in them as well is something that I really try to focus on.”
Her students look up to her and truly enjoy their time in school during the day. Some students reflected on what they enjoy about Mrs. Solzsmon’s class:
Enzi Sipe – “Mrs. Solzsmon is very kind, and she tries her best for kids to grow up to be successful. I really like math because I always feel encouraged and I always feel like I have the knowledge to do it.”
Cassidy Grove – “She welcomes me in the door every day and she is always very nice. When I walk though the door, she is always there waiting for me. Her class is very fun. I really like our brain breaks because we get to move around and exercise.”
Joseph VanHerpe – “Mrs. Solzsmon is very nice, and she helped me learn my multiplication and division. She makes sure we are all on track and when we don’t know something she helps us. We can learn anything and when we are done with our work we get more activities to do that are really fun.”
It is obvious that students enjoy their learning in this classroom. One of the things that keeps them so engaged is the hands-on aspect in all areas of learning. Mrs. Solzsmon sees the importance in this, and is always looking for ways to implement it:
“Today, we did a pollination activity in science. They got to be hands on moving the pollen, using coffee and cinnamon, from one flower to the other. So, not just like watching videos and reading, but also doing hands-on activities.
Using hands-on learning is very important. Using manipulatives during math and science, being in the text during reading, and doing different hands-on activities really gets them into their learning.”
Not only do the students notice the hard work that Mrs. Solzsmon puts in to further their learning, but their parents at home also see the outcomes:
“Her patience, encouragement, and kindness has helped shape not just academic growth, but confidence and character. She’s helped our child discover that they are smart, capable and confident. For that, we are forever grateful.” – Ashley Russell
“Mrs. Solzsmon is special to my child because she has a heart for her students, not just instruction. I have watched my child gain confidence within the school year. Our child comes home every day telling us stories about how fun it is to be in your classroom... Thank you for instilling this love of learning into our child!” – Tara Bartholomew
It goes without saying that Mrs. Solzsmon is leaving a lasting impact as a teacher and is very deserving of this award. When she learned that she was being awarded with this honor, she stated:
“To me, this award was something that I had kind of heard about, but I didn't know much about it. When I received the email that I was nominated for the award, I had found out that it was for teachers who are dedicated to the profession, who have something that they stand out for. And so to me, it meant that all my hard work and my efforts are being noticed and that I take pride in my work and things that I do with my students each day.”
Reflecting on her six years with Grandview Elementary and what it means to be chosen for this award, she continued:
“I would just like to thank the administration and just the district leadership for believing in me. I've had the opportunity over the past few years to travel to Denver and Texas and go to different conferences. So, I feel like I'm in a place where I've been able to broaden my horizons and learn things from other people. I want to thank my coworkers; they're always there to lean on and talk to, and my family, of course. This is a job that takes a village and the school year can be difficult sometimes. So, leaning on those people has been helpful.”
Congratulations to Mrs. Solzsmon on this wonderful achievement! Your hard work and dedication reflect in the knowledge that your students show and the lasting impression you have left on them. We are lucky to have a teacher like you here at Bellevue Independent Schools!
