Kristie Krier puts a poem onto the overhead projector and turns it on after escorting her second-graders into the classroom and taking attendance Feb. 25 at Timber Trail Elementary, 690 W. Castle Pines Parwkay, in Castle Pines North.

The poem is the day's first reading lesson, and it's themed around soccer. The poem emphasizes words like "toot," "zoom" and "boom."

"Tell me what the poem is about," Mrs. Krier asks her students.

"Soccer," one student replies. "Shooting goals."

She has the students read the poem aloud, line by line.

"Why do I have you read something over and over again?" she asks. "Because you want your reading to sound more fluent."

Krier has been teaching second grade at Timber Trail for the past four years, and she has taught primary education in the Douglas County School District for 11 years -- her entire teaching career.

Krier is a nominee for the 2008 Apple Awards, now in its third year.

"It's so rewarding to work in Douglas County School District because they give you so many opportunities to learn," she said. "I've learned so many things in my 11 years. There are so many talented teachers in the district."

The Apple Awards honor teachers in Douglas County who have demonstrated a superior ability to foster excellence in education while contributing to the continuous improvement of student learning and the school environment.

"It is such an honor," Krier said about being nominated for the award this year. "I am so excited. It is such a privilege to be nominated."

Krier lives in Castle Pines North with her husband, Shane, and her two sons -- Noah, 7, and Karsen, 10. She and her husband have lived in Douglas County for 11 years.

"What I really love about teaching is that you have to think outside the box for each individual student," she said. "Which makes it exciting, because each student has a different way of learning. It makes your job exciting to meet the needs of each individual student."

There will be two Apple Awards representatives selected this year - one from the elementary level and one from the secondary level. One teacher from each school in Douglas County was nominated for the award.

The 2008 Apple Awards will be announced at a dinner April 12 at the Hyatt Regency Tech Center in Denver.

Sean McGraw, executive director of the Douglas County Educational Foundation, said the Apple Awards represent all the teachers in Douglas County.

"The Apple Awards is an incredible program within our schools," McGraw said. "It's a great way to celebrate teachers. The Douglas County Educational Foundation's existence is based on what they do, and we're real proud of it."

Click here to see a list of all Douglas County teachers nomiated.