Golden Apple: Jodi Southard

Imagine teaching a child in the early stages of their life, and being the reason why they love to come to school.

Event - you must r-s-v-p.

Someone once said..."to teach is to touch a life forever".

That's certainly the case for our 20-20 golden apple award winners.

Imagine...teaching a child in the very early stages of their life and being "the reason" why they love to come to school!

There's a lot of responsibility with that role.

But it's one today's golden apple award winner cherishes.

////////////// 00:16:34:1}...i'm patrece dayton...it's my honor to present to you a 2020 golden apple award...better late than never...thank you!.... nat img #3}..how many sounds in bat?

B....a...t... in jodi southard's classroom at lost creek elementary school...first grade equals fun!

#57...awesome!

A colorful classroom full of action to keep these 6 years olds moving... both physically and mentally.

Show them jumping to spell a wor} 15:30:12:2}..."i want them to get excited.

I want them to know school is a fun place.

It's a safe place for them and i just think that elementary teachers have such an important job in kinda instilling that love of learning with our kids..."

And who wouldn't want to come learn here?

Mrs. southard is known for her "theme days".

She transforms her room several times a year into themes to match what they're learning.

There's "arctic day" ...superhero day...and perhaps the most popular...bat cave day.

15:27:36:0}...i cover the windows it's dark all day.

They bring a flashlite we learn about bats.

We read about bats..we do math with bats..so they love it!

15:28:26:0}...it's just a fun way where i can build this excitement still around academics..so we still do our reading and writing and math and science activities.

But it just make them excited to come to school...."

But southard doesn't just southard doesn't just influence her students.

She believes teaching is a liflong process of learning.

She's the author of the blog "fun in first".

An on-line way to share resources, ideas and teaching stategies for primary teachers.

15:32:55:0}...i like to share ideas i get ideas from others.

I work with amazingly brilliant teachers and i just think that we learn so much from each other...."

Southard's already been honored with a vigo county teacher of the year award and a news 10 make a difference award.

Now add "golden apple" to the list.

And it's easy to see why.

In a classroom full of moving bodies, colorful characters and growing minds.

This teacher says she wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

15:37:56:1}..."i love first graders because they are so excited every single day.

They com in they want to learn.

They love you.

They're excited for school.

They're willing to get up and dance and sing and act silly and come to school dressed as a superhero!"... musi} jodi southard is a superhero of sorts in her own way.

A 20-20 golden apple award winner who's touching lives forever.

Music ends} ///////////// patrec} a special thank you the schools and "all" teachers for their dedication..especially during these recent, tough times.

With photo-journalist tony kassissieh,