CVCC Instructor Wins Crystal Apple Award

One teacher at the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center was honored for his work in the classroom.

Dan Hughes, sales and service fundamentals instructor, is the 2013 winner of the Crystal Apple Award. Hughes was nominated by Lauren Georgopoulos, a 12th-grade student at from the Brecksville-Broadview Heights school district.

The Crystal Apple Award has been a part of The Plain Dealer since 1991 and provides students an opportunity to thank extraordinary educators.

Georgopoulos wrote of Mr. Hughes,“He takes every opportunity to make our day a positive one”.

Both were recognized individually at a surprise presentation at CVCC where representatives from The Plain Dealer and Bryant & Stratton College personally congratulated them.

In addition to the recognition received by The Plain Dealer, Mr. Hughes and Lauren will each receive a Crystal Apple at an awards banquet held at The Plain Dealer in May.

“Dan is an outstandingteacher that is truly focused on the success of his students," CVCC Principal Mike Hall said in a release. "He makes the classroom arespectful and fun place to learn, and the growth of his students over time is amazing. Dan is very deserving of this award, and we are very fortunate to have him as a teacherhere at Cuyahoga Valley Career Center.”

Hughes has taught at CVCC since August of 2001. He was a store manager for Heinen’s grocery chain for 30 years prior to coming to CVCC. He and his family reside in Solon.

To be nominated, an educator must currently teach full time in any grade K-12 ina school within The Plain Dealer seven-county distribution area (Cuyahoga, Lake,Geauga, Portage, Summit, Medina and Lorain counties).