That first year of school often sets the tone for the rest for the next 12 years...

Having the right teacher makes all the difference.

At Brookwood Elementary in Dalton, there's a kindergarten teacher who's doing something right.

Megan Polk is this week's Golden Apple Award winner...

18 little kids all eager to learn... That's what makes Megan Polk's day, "It's just so neat to be able to be that foundation figure. That one that will teach them the ABC's, writing, reading really and just be their first experience in school."

This is Polk's second year in the classroom. She says every day is different and she loves it, "Teaching to me, it's just so rewarding."

Her energy and enthusiasm about teaching is exactly what these kids need to help them learn.

Brookwood parent Amanda Burt reads, "Megan Polk is the kind of teacher every parent hopes his or her child has."

Burt says her daughter Abbie can't wait to go to school every day.

WDEF News 12 Anchor/Repoter Reneé LaSalle asks of Abbie, "Why do you like school?  Abbie says, "Ms. Polk's there."

Burt says Ms. Polk finds a away to connect with each child and discovers the best way to teach them, "And it's fun. They don't even realize sometimes how much they are learning."

For Ms. Polk it's all part of getting them ready for first grade, academically and socially.

Polk says she was blessed with creativity and patience and she's using it to make a difference, "I was just kinda placed here and I just love it."

To nominate your special teacher, pick up an entry form at your local Bi-Lo or you can print one.

Send it to:

Golden Apple Award
P.O. Box 2438
Chattanooga, TN 37409 

And watch WDEF News 12 Tuesday nights at 6:00 to see if your teacher was chosen.