Golden Apple winner Julie Stinger at St. Martin of Tours School celebrated as a teacher and as a mom
Blasts of confetti and loud cheers from students rained down on Julie C. Stinger, a longtime teacher at St. Martin of Tours School in Gaithersburg, as she walked into an April 17 surprise ceremony where it was announced that she is a 2026 Golden Apple Award-winning teacher in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington. But she had a double surprise as she walked to the stage and spotted three of her five adopted children in attendance, joining the celebration.
Stinger reacted with pure joy as she embraced her children who are now adults.
Moments later in the surprise ceremony, Stinger wiped away tears as Stephen Lamont, the school’s principal, congratulated her.
“You are the source of light and joy for so much we do here… Thank you for everything you bring and do for our school,” he said.
In her brief remarks, Julie Stinger said, “I’ve loved St. Martin’s since the day I walked through the door. I have loved every student who has come through… Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you!”