Hanford High School Teacher, Coach To Receive 2019 Crystal Apple Award

Richland School District is thrilled to announce Kim Mayer, a language arts teacher and cheerleading coach at Hanford High School, will receive the Crystal Apple Award for 2019.

She has been part of Richland schools for more than 20 years and built a legacy of empowering students, whether in a classroom or competition. Colleagues and community members say she has helped hundreds of students realize their potential. 

“Not only does she care about these girls as their teacher and coach but almost as if they were her own daughters,” says Kathey Hatfield, an assistant cheerleading coach. “They trust her, love her, and value her opinion and guidance.”

The Crystal Apple Award is awarded to teachers in and around the Tri-Cities by Educational Service District (ESD) 123. The award honors educators who have a positive impact on the lives and futures of students.  Each district may nominate one teacher to receive the award.

Mrs. Mayer’s educational career spans 30 years. She joined Richland schools in 1996, when she followed her husband, social studies teacher and coach Paul Mayer, when he returned to Hanford High School, his alma mater. She worked as an elementary physical education teacher in the district for a year before moving to Hanford, which was a co-located middle and high school campus at the time. She’s been a Falcon ever since and currently teaches sophomore and junior English language arts.

“Her former students who come into my classes are uniformly well-prepared, with excellent writing skills and superior work habits,” says Kim Reifle, an AP English teacher at Hanford. “They simply exemplify proof of Mrs. Mayer’s abilities, and I see her fine touch in the success of her students.”

She has coached numerous sports but has left her mark on the Hanford High cheerleading program, which has earned nine state championships, 12 regionals championships, three national titles and a world title in 2018. Additionally, her cheerleaders are recognized for their academic performance and commitment to community service.

“Through every situation, in or out of the classroom, Mrs. Mayer reveals that we are valuable and need each other in order to succeed,” says Liz Reyes, one of her former students. “Mrs. Mayer made us believe that while we could individually excel at what we do, we were also capable enough to lead.”

Mrs. Mayer will receive the Crystal Apple Award at a 4:30 p.m. award ceremony on March 7 at ESD 123 in Pasco.