Good teachers keep their students motivated... But truly great teachers get the parents involved. At Westview Elementary School one special teacher says she owes her students' success to her wonderful classroom parents.
The best way to succeed in school and in life is to have a good foundation. One Hamilton County Pre-K Teacher makes sure even the kids who are behind come out ahead.
Some of the very best lessons come from life experience... One Marion County teacher uses his language skills to help students to see beyond their four walls.
When your teacher expects a lot, hopefully she makes the lesson fun. At Grace Baptist Academy one special teacher makes sure everyone likes school and learns more than they realize.
The best educations start with firm foundations. One Hamilton County kindergarten teacher makes sure her kids start out on top.
Middle School isn't always easy... But the kids at Rossville Middle School say thanks to one special teacher they have a safe haven filled with music where they can leave their problems behind.
Teaching geography can be pretty tough, especially when many of your students have never left the state. But at Tyner Academy one student says each kid in her class gets just what they need to learn.
Reading is perhaps the most important foundation for a child's learning. At Hickory Valley Christian School one special teacher makes sure each child learns.
High School is hard enough... But when students know their teachers care, somehow it gets a little better. At Heritage High School one special teacher gets involved in her kids' lives.
To be a responsible adult is one of the most important lessons we can teach our children. At Richard Hardy Memorial one special teacher thinks it should start in kindergarten.
Ms. Manley & Ms. Napier are the first WDEF News 12 Golden Apple winners recognized as a team. Together with their teaching assistants they help more than a dozen CDC students learn & grow.
Every teacher hopes to instill in their students a love for learning. But at Woodstation Elementary one special teacher goes one step further, she's inspiring the next generation of educators.
When a great teacher knows what students are capable of they don't accept mediocre... At Cherokee Ridge Elementary kids say one special teacher won't settle for anything less than your best.
A child's first few experiences with school can set the tone for the rest of their learning. At Spring City Elementary, one special teacher makes sure her lessons stick with her kids.
Kindergarten can be rough for some families... It's the start of a whole new chapter watching your child grow. But a family in Whitfield County says thanks to one special teacher it feels like their child never left the nest.
Most teachers make sure students grasp the subjects they cover in the class. But at Northwest Elementary one special teacher makes sure her students get a well rounded lesson plan.
Elementary school is a great spot to learn the basics of education. But at Beaverdale Elementary, one special teacher makes sure her kids learn responsibility.
With all of the tests and complications of growing up, Caroline Kirkpatrick believes parents want a teacher who will love and inspire their child. She gave up a job in the oil industry to follow her passion... one that's making a difference in the lives of the next generation.
Some of Jack Leather's students score so high on college placement test, schools give them college credit. The high school science teacher uses the real world as his classroom.
She jumps in wherever needed.
He teaches three grades all at once, but Mark Sargeant's class gets along better than most. That's because he doesn't allow his students to discourage each other.
A child's attitude about learning makes all the difference. At Fairyland Elementary one special teacher makes sure her students stay positive no matter what.
Reaching a child with a disability can sometimes be a challenge. But at Dade County Elementary one extraordinary child says her teacher makes her feel special.
News 12 has made a commitment to telling positive stories about teachers in our area. And tonight, that commitment paid off for several local educators as the Golden Apple Award finalists and teacher of the year are announced.