Cheers and applause echoed across the playground at St. Michael’s School in Ridge, Maryland, as students gathered for what they believed was a routine yearbook photo. Instead, the moment turned into a celebration when officials from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington’s Catholic Schools Office stepped forward with a surprise announcement: middle school teacher Amanda Handy had been named a 2026 Golden Apple Award winner.
The honor includes a $5,000 award and recognizes excellence in Catholic education across the archdiocese. It is presented annually to educators who demonstrate professional excellence, leadership, a commitment to Catholic values, and dedication to their students.
Funded by the Donahue Family Foundation, the Golden Apple Awards honor outstanding Catholic school teachers in this archdiocese and several others nationwide.
Handy, who teaches middle school English, religion, social studies and drama, has spent six years at the small, rural school, where her impact reaches far beyond the classroom.
For Father Keith T. Burney, the pastor of St. Michael’s Parish, the recognition came as no surprise.
“I just immediately thought about how appropriate it was,” he said, noting that Handy has taken on a significant leadership role during a year of transition for the school. “All of our staff, but especially Mrs. Handy, have just stepped up to help with different tasks and different needs.”
That sense of shared responsibility reflects the culture of the school itself. Located in a rural corner of St. Mary’s County in Southern Maryland, St. Michael’s is rooted in a close-knit community where families, students and staff often know one another across generations.
“It’s very much a family,” Father Burney said. “We take care of our own.”
Students echoed that sentiment.
Vernie Blankenship, a seventh grader, described the school as a place where she feels at home as soon as she walks through the doors. Kyle Van Ryswick, an eighth grader, said the environment helps students feel supported both academically and personally.
“My favorite thing about being in Mrs. Handy’s class is that she always interacts with us,” he said. “She helps me learn new things, and she’s taught me a lot of valuable life lessons.”
Van Ryswick said Handy’s encouragement extends beyond academics, helping students grow in confidence and take on leadership roles.
“She’ll say, ‘You’ve been here all these years—you have to show the younger kids how it’s done,’” he said.
Ashley Quinonez, a sixth grader, described Handy’s classroom as both engaging and supportive.
“Every time I go into her classroom, we’re always smiling and laughing because of how fun it is,” she said. “She also makes sure we understand everything before moving on.”
Quinonez said Handy takes time to work with each student, even staying after class to ensure they grasp difficult material. She added that her teacher creates an inclusive environment, using tools such as translation devices and encouraging bilingual students to help their peers.
“They never make me feel less than any other student,” Quinonez said. “They’re very supportive of me speaking Spanish.”
For Handy, that kind of classroom environment is rooted in her approach to Catholic education, which she said allows her to integrate faith into daily teaching.
“What I enjoy most about being a teacher in a Catholic school is being able to live out my faith on a regular basis and work in a school that shares the same moral values that I have,” she said.
As a religion teacher, Handy prepares students to receive the sacrament of Confirmation while reinforcing the message that Christ is present in their lives.
“We remind them that Jesus loves us and that He is always here for us,” she said.
Beyond academics, Handy said her goal is to build lasting relationships with her students.
“I hope when my students leave that they know that I’m always there for them, whatever they need,” she said. “The school is very much a family community.”
That sense of belonging can be transformative for students, particularly those who struggled in previous school settings.
“They come from an environment where they are in constant fear and worry,” Handy said. “Then they come here, and we give them their life back.”
At a school where students consistently described feeling supported and welcomed, Handy’s seventh and eighth grade class began reading The Outsiders, a 1967 novel by S. E. Hinton centered on identity and belonging.
According to Mary Van Ryswick, principal of St. Michael’s School, Handy’s influence has been instrumental in the school’s growth, especially during a recent leadership transition.
“When I was assigned the task of becoming principal with less than two weeks before the school opened, Amanda was there to help.” she said. “If Amanda had not stepped in and offered her expertise and assistance, the school would not be the place it is today.”
In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Handy serves in multiple leadership roles, including middle school team lead and sponsor for several student organizations and extracurricular activities. She also assists families with registration and financial aid and contributes to archdiocesan curriculum efforts.
Father Burney said her work reflects a deeper sense of vocation.
“She teaches the faith not only through content, but through the consistency of her example,” he said.
Handy’s own path to the classroom was not a direct one. After spending years working in the insurance industry, she eventually felt called to education through her work with children and her involvement in parish life. She said that calling became clear as she built relationships with students and saw the impact of Catholic education firsthand.
“This is my happy place,” she said. “Being with these kids, I can’t imagine what it would be like without them.”
Despite the challenges facing many who work in education today, Handy said the work remains deeply rewarding.
“It’s worth it,” she said. “Absolutely worth it.”
Link to series with Golden Apple teacher profiles:
https://www.cathstan.org/series/2026-golden-apple-teachers-in-archdiocese-of-washington
