School No. 16’s Paige Ptucha Honored with News 8 Golden Apple Award

(September 30, 2026) The Rochester City School District proudly congratulates Paige Ptucha, an 8:1:3 classroom teacher at Dr. David and Ruth Anderson Academy School No. 16, on receiving the News 8 Golden Apple Award. The honor celebrates educators who transform their classrooms and redefine what it means to support their students.

Walk into Ms. Ptucha’s classroom, and her passion for teaching is immediately clear. She puts her heart into her work every day, focusing on showering her students with love and truly educating the whole child.

“My favorite part? Just seeing the kids grow little by little,” Ms. Ptucha shared. “Students need someone who loves and supports them every day. That’s why all of us are here.”

Her deep commitment and unwavering positivity leave a lasting impression on everyone around her, especially her colleagues who see her impact firsthand.

“I have been working with her for five years, and she has always shown up with a smile on her face,” said Ms. Brown, her Teaching Assistant, who nominated her for the award. “She’s very helpful, and you can tell every day that she is here for the kids. It’s not all about data and test scores with her. It’s about making sure the kids are getting the best education that she can give them.”

The District celebrates Ms. Ptucha’s well-deserved recognition and thanks her for her exceptional care and dedication to her students. Congratulations, Ms. Ptucha!

Watch the News 8 story here.