The Cathedral City Chamber of Commerce honored 11 teachers with Red Apple on Tuesday morning.

The Red Apple awards are given every year to top teachers in schools that serve Cathedral City students. The schools choose the winners.

The chamber's 2009 Red Apple Award winners:

Amanda Gonzales, Agua Caliente Elementary: Gonzales teaches an intensive reading program for third-graders and is a member of the school's leadership team, is the grade-level chair and helped create a teacher and parent resource room at the school.

She tries to make a difference in every student, either now or in the future, and does whatever it takes to meet her students' needs and is a “true pillar of excellence in our school community,” Principal Lucy Medina wrote.

Christi Swafford, Della Lindley Elementary: The kindergarten teacher has been at Della Lindley since 1998.

She strives to see the students for who they are and amend her teaching according to each student's talent and learning style.

She is engaging and motivating and visitors to her classroom can feel that they are part of “an effective learning community,” Principal Simone Kovats said.

Cindy Simon, Sunny Sands Elementary: The kindergarten teacher and Palm Springs High graduate also has a master's degree in administration and has always wanted to be a teacher.

Simon tries to develop a love of learning in her students and works to build self-esteem and motivate students to do their best through positive reinforcement and clear expectations.

Every moment in her classroom is a teachable moment, Principal Karen Cornett said.

Gregory Whitmore, Cathedral City High School: The Director of Bands has turned around Cathedral City's music program, which has performed in Carnegie Hall and the 2005 Chicago State Street Thanksgiving Parade, and was named one of “50 Directors who make a difference” by School Band and Orchestra Magazine.

Whitmore is involved in all aspects of campus life and shows true concern for students' welfare, Principal Guillermo Chavez wrote.

Jennifer Leather, Landau Elementary: Leather is a third grade teacher and the educational technology coach who incorporated technology in her classrooms and now shows other teachers how to do the same.

She creates projects with programs such as Comic Life, Garageband, Keynote and Kidspiration to prepare students for college and beyond.

Jessica Huettner, Rancho Mirage Elementary: The fourth grade teacher started teaching with the WorldTeach program in Africa, has a master's degree in special education and is pursuing a master's degree in fine art.

She believes that all students can learn with the right support and uses a variety of teaching strategies to reach every student.

Her students will remember her as a teacher who “made a true difference in their lives,” Principal Marsha Boring wrote.

Jorge Jimenez, James Workman Middle School: The seventh grade life science teacher has spent 13 years designing lessons that target students learning English and those with other learning challenges without neglecting higher achievers.

Jimenez, who also has a law degree, was inspired to teach after developing games and alternative ways to help his nephew learn the concepts that he struggled with.

Kathleen Yearwood, Rio Vista Elementary: The second grade teacher who went to Palm Springs Unified School District schools encourages enthusiasm for learning in her students.

She regularly goes above and beyond the call of duty, works with students, teachers and parents and creates a compassionate environment for her students, who know that she cares and who stay on task.

“Ms. Yearwood is one of the finest educators I have worked with in the past 10 years,” wrote Rio Vista Principal Mike Long.

Mary Jo Mosby, Mount San Jacinto High: Mosby has taught special education students at the school since 1996. She first tries to create an environment where the students are not afraid to try things, though often they have little confidence and poor academic skills.

She accommodates students needs but still expects them to master grade level standards.

Her positive attitude stands out.

Melissa Forgacs, Nellie Coffman Middle School: The eighth grade physical science teacher and Associated Student Body (ASB) adviser was also named Palm Springs Unified School District teacher of the year.

She promotes learning through community service and her lessons are relevant to students' daily lives, the school reported.

Pete Johnson, Cathedral City Elementary: Johnson has taught second and third grades at Cathedral City Elementary for 11 years. He now teaches third grade and is the third grade team leader. He always supports community and parent events, the school reported.