CHARLES CITY, Iowa — Madison Davis knows the value of having a teacher like Ms. Forsyth — so much so she wanted her efforts recognized, which is why she nominated her teacher for the Golden Apple Award.

Forsyth says she loves coming in in the morning and saying hi to the students, and telling them goodbye at the end of each day in order to show how much she cares, something that hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“She comes in early in the morning, stays until late at night and she truly does care about us whether we’re succeeding in her class or not,” junior Madison Davis said.

Ms. Forsyth teaches biology as well as a class that explores science-based careers, something Davis says gives her a jump-start on her future employment plans.

“Me being a physical therapist, she is honest with me in what my struggles are going to be, what I can do, so I like her honesty,” Davis said.

Ms. Forsyth has taught for almost 25 years in Charles City and says the main reason she loves it so much is the kids.

“I love being with kids, I love working with kids,” Forsyth said. “And it’s not just the classroom, it’s outside of the classroom, and I can be any type of role model or work with parents to help kids, that’s what it’s all about.”

CLEAR LAKE, Iowa — Thirty-five years as a teacher, and now it’s her last year, and Mrs. Berding isn’t the only who’s sad about it.

“I just think she’s a really good teacher, and I’m going to be sad to see her go,” fourth-grader Ashton Hecht said.

“Very, very hard — I love what I do, I love coming to school every day,” Berding said. “So it’s going to be hard.”

Mrs. Berding teaches special education at Clear Creek Elementary, helping students who have behavioral issues. The students come to her when they are having trouble in other classes.

And they all have different reasons why they love her.

“She’ll come in and check in and see how things are going and sometimes she’ll help me with whatever I’m working on,” Hecht said.

“She’s kind and she’s a good teacher and I like that.  I can see her a lot,” kindergartener Jude Sorensen said.

“When me and Jude would be good she gives us two pieces of candy,” kindergartener Jace Schipper said.

And even though she will be gone next year, she says she hopes all the kids leave her class knowing she cares about them.

“That they know what love is like and that they know that I’m always here for them,” Berding said.

FOREST CITY, Iowa — Congratulations to this week’s Golden Apple Award winner, Mr. Cory Schmitt of Forest City High School.

It’s a big job, and a loud one at that, but for Mr. Schmitt, taking on the middle and high school bands has been a joy. It ends up being about 200 students, but Mr. Schmitt is learning how to connect with all of them.

“He’s pushing the seniors to join college bands, to just trying things at college when they get out there,” senior Carrie Brcka said. “But even to the sixth-graders, you know he’s telling them come into practice, take your instrument home. He wants the best for every kid in the school.”

And sitting in on his class, you’ll learn it’s not all about the music.

“I don’t necessarily think that I should teach just band to them,” Schmitt said. “It’s not just about the music, it’s not about the right notes, the right rhythms. It’s about getting into deeper meanings of things and seeing how this subject or this content can relate to our lives.”

Senior Stuart Yi says music is his passion and he’s not sure what he would do without Mr. Schmitt.

“It’s extremely important,” Yi said. “If I didn’t have a good band teacher like Mr. Schmitt, I don’t know if it would still be my thing.”

GARNER, Iowa — On this day when you walk into Mrs. Kerry Neuberger’s class, her students are reciting Shakespeare.

This freshman English class has started on “Romeo and Juliet,” but this won’t be the only year they have Mrs. Neuberger. She also teaches seniors and has had the chance to teach some of them for six years.

“Since like sixth grade she’s been my teacher and so we have a good relationship,” senior Katie Rasmuson said.

“I’ve had a lot of them since sixth grade, seventh, eighth grade,” Neuberger said.

And for Mrs. Neuberger, she says watching the kids grow up and getting to see them throughout the years in her classroom is something she wouldn’t trade.

“Kind of a privilege and kind of humbling to see how they changed, how they’ve grown as individuals not just in the English skills, but in themselves with their character, with the activities that they do and the interests they pursue,” Neuberger said.

And Rasmuson hopes their relationship doesn’t end when the school year does.

“I really hope that I keep up with Mrs. Neuberger,” Rasmuson said. “She’s an amazing person. It’s like where I want to tell her about things.”

NORTHWOOD, Iowa — It’s the first thing you see when you enter, Dr. Seuss and his characters, but they are no renters. Mrs. Hansen loves the famous guy and each year holds a Seuss Week to honor him, although there’s no pie.

“Each day you try to do a special activity for them and they just love it and they deserve it and it’s just fun to be goofy all week,” Hansen said.

“We did painting for Dr. Seuss, and we have books for Dr. Seuss and do all that kind of stuff,” first-grader Lauren Heiken said. “Mrs. Hansen really, really likes Dr. Seuss.”

Mrs. Hansen used to teach fourth grade, but has found her niche with the switch.

“You can have a crazy day the day before and the next day they’re ready to go again and fresh and their hearts are big,” Hansen said. “They want to please you and they want to learn and they’re excited with whatever you get them.”

And along the way, has made some very happy kids say “yay.”

“I look forward to coming to school every day to have her teach us,” Heiken said. “She’s just so much fun.”

ROCKFORD, Iowa – Mrs. Deb Kuhlemeier knew she wanted to be a teacher early on. She says she was influenced by one special family member when she was young.

“My grandmother was a teacher and the first year she taught was in Marble Rock, and my first year I taught was in Marble Rock,” Kuhlemeier said.

As for what grade she wanted to teach, that was also a decision she made early, although it wasn’t hard to find inspiration.

“My fourth grade teacher was Bev Rasmussen in Charles City and she was so helpful and kind and patient,” Kuhlemeier said. “And after school she was there, she was just there for kids and that’s what I wanted to be.”

Although she teaches reading to fourth, fifth and sixth graders, she also makes time to help them with math and spelling.

“She helps us with math and our reading and just about everything,” fourth grader Jadelyn Peters said.

“She would help me with my spelling list, and if I would wouldn’t get it she would just take me out in the hall and show me how to do it,” fifth grader Michael Retterath said.

Mrs. Kuhlemeier hopes that her teaching style can impact her students for years to come, just like her grandma and fourth grade teacher impacted her.

“I hope that they always love all their teachers and the teachers make their day a learning experience and fun,” Kuhlemeier said.

RICEVILLE, Iowa – The school was without an agriculture teacher for a couple years, and the students suffered, including junior Sierra Ring.

“We were without an ag teacher for like two years almost and so our program kind of got like down a little bit,” Ring said. “And then she came in and it’s been really great, she’s really good with the kids and she goes above and beyond.”

Ring is talking about teacher Morgan Nosbisch, who says she knew she wanted to teach kids about agriculture at a young age. The turning point was a fair when she heard two people talking about an animal, and they didn’t know what it was.

“I was just flabbergasted, I could not believe that people in Iowa had no idea the difference between the different livestock species was,” Nosbisch said. “So that was kind of the day that I decided people need to know about agriculture.”

And it’s not just the agriculture class that has been rejuvenated, but also the Future Farmers of America program.

“We have a lot more opportunity especially with our FFA, it’s like grown a lot since she’s moved in,” Ring said. “We’ve had a lot more kids going into competition and we just had our FFA banquet and we had a really big turnout.”

MASON CITY, Iowa – Congratulations to this week’s Golden Apple Award winner, Mrs. Tammy Kacer.

Mrs. Kacer teaches seventh grade reading and language arts at John Adams Middle School in Mason City. Many of the students who had her last year say she is one of the best teachers they’ve had.

“I still look up to her as a teacher and stuff, even if she’s not my teacher anymore,” eighth-grader Shaylyn Bantz said.

Even if she doesn’t have the students in her class, many of them come to her room during study hall.

“Miss Kacer’s been a huge influence over the past two years for me,” Bantz said. “Especially in seventh grade, if any of us were struggling or anything, she’d always pick us up even if it was terrible and we didn’t know what to do from then.”

But it’s not a one-way street, as Mrs. Kacer knows — she’s learning from them, too.

“This group that I had last year and the kids that I have this year are probably going to go down as one my favorites,” Kacer said. “They are going to be one of my favorite groups I’ve ever had.”

Once they leave the building for high school, the students say Mrs. Kacer has taught them what they need to know.

“To not give up on anything, to always like push through it,” eighth-grader Samantha Miller said. “Because at the end you’ll always be fine with it.”

That’s exactly what Mrs. Kacer says she hopes they learn.

“Help them to build that confidence and know that they really can take on some challenges and they’ll be just fine,” Kacer said.

MASON CITY, Iowa – Congratulations to this week’s Golden Apple winner, North Iowa Area Community College’s Gerrot Jacobson.

It’s almost a homecoming for Jacobson. He’s only in his second year teaching automotive technology at NIACC, but he went through the program as well.

“I had a great couple of instructors here at NIACC when I went here,” Jacobson said. “So to be able to go back into this role and have that big impact that my instructors had is just an amazing thing.”

For the students going through the program, they say he’s done more than just teach them. He’s become a friend.

“If I have a question automotive-related or even anything else, I know I can go to him and just say ‘hey Gerrot, I need your advice, I need your guidance’,” student Vincent Dowdell said. “You know he’s a good mentor.”

Dalton Aukes agrees.

“It’s not a Mr. Jacobson-Dalton relationship, it’s just another guy in the shop teaching you things you need to know,” Aukes said.

Jacobson says that’s all part of his teaching philosophy, making sure he’s doing everything he can to give students the best opportunity to succeed.

“It’s just a passion of mine that I keep working in the field so I can keep bringing that back and giving it to my students,” Jacobson said. “So they have the best of not just a teacher but a technician and friend of them.”

For Dowdell, he says he’s not looking forward to the day it’s over because he knows he will miss Jacobson.

“If I had the opportunity to do my two-year program all over again, I would,” Dowdell said.

FOREST CITY, Iowa – Congratulations to this week’s Golden Apple Award winner, Mrs. Robin Bliesmer.

Even though students are taking an exam, Mrs. Bliesmer’s room is filled with the sound of music. But in her classroom, music is just part of the ambiance.

“Her class is very enjoyable,” senior Alannah Olson said. “It’s always a happy atmosphere and like I love coming to class here.”

Olson is one of a handful of students taking Spanish 4 from Mrs. Bliesmer. After studying the language for four years, Olson says the lessons she’s learned have made an impact.

“I can notice when I’m in stores I can catch up on people speaking Spanish and things like that,” Olson said.

And that’s exactly what Mrs. Bliesmer says she hopes her students learn.

“I can use this outside of the classroom, I can use my language and I can connect to other cultures and possibly travel with their jobs with the foreign language,” Bliesmer said. “And some of them have went on in college and pursued getting a minor in that and that’s exciting to see that they haven’t stopped.”

Olson says she’s looking forward to seeing how Spanish will continue to make an impact on her life in the years to come.

“I can use Spanish really in my future career in any way, just understanding different languages is a huge plus in my future,” Olson said.

VENTURA, Iowa – Congratulations to this week’s Golden Apple Award winner, Mrs. Becky Ziesmer of GHV Junior High.

Mrs. Ziesmer is involved in all aspects of GHV Junior High, from special education to co-teaching certain classes, as well as the student council. One member of that council says while it could feel like just another class, Mrs. Z makes it more than that.

“It makes it feel more like a family than a class,” eighth-grader Caleb Renner said. “It’s not always just going down and doing what we’re supposed to do, we joke around and stuff like that and it’s fun.”

That comfortable and family-like feeling spreads to students in all of her classes.

“She’s responsible for me and other people,” seventh-grader Jessie Hammer said. “And makes me safer than ever.”

“She’s basically like a mom to all of us and she just makes us smile every day,” eighth-grader Abby Martin said. “She’ll be standing outside her door like in the middle of class periods and she’ll come up and give us a hug.”

Mrs. Z says she thinks making the students feel at home is one of her top responsibilities.

“I believe one of the most important things that I do in the classroom is to make it a comfortable and safe environment so the kids can share and be themselves in that environment,” Ziesmer said.

And her students say they appreciate what she does for them on a daily basis.

“She’s always there to help us out and be there for us and I think that it’s great as a teacher and not enough teachers do that today,” Renner said.

MASON CITY, Iowa – Teachers gathered early Tuesday morning for a special presentation, but this gathering isn’t for your typical celebration.

Sara Powell hadn’t been co-teaching at Roosevelt Elementary in Mason City for very long. But it only took moments for her to make an impact.

“Sara came into our room in January. She joined our team and she brought so much life to our room,” said Andrea Hanig, who co-taught with Powell.

Powell passed away just over a week ago at age 32 of natural causes. Her husband is accepting the Golden Apple award on behalf of his wife.

“It would mean the world to her,” Clayton Powell said. “And I always thought that she should be awarded this.”

Powell and Hanig taught kindergarten and first grade special education together. Hanig says she had natural ability to relate to everyone around her, but especially with kids.

“She loved them so much and they knew that because she never left anything unsaid,” Hanig said. “She always told them she loved them and she always said how much she loved her job and she did, she was just amazing.”

For Powell’s husband, the support of the staff at the school is part of what is helping his family through the tough time.

“It’s been phenomenal,” Clayton said. “I mean it shows that she touched a lot of people.”

She also leaves behind two young sons. But for everyone who was a part of her life, she’s not really gone.

“We miss everything, we really do, but you know we’re working really hard at keeping her alive,” Hanig said. “We have a lot of things in the classroom that remind us of her and talk to the kids every day about, she’s with us.”

Hanig says Powell’s spirit lives on in the class with certain markers like a jar of M&M’s and a squirrel statue, representing Powell’s potential to go off topic at any moment.

And those who knew her say they’re just trying to get through each day.

MASON CITY, Iowa – The school year is winding down and most districts are looking at about a month left. Thursday was a day to celebrate those who have been working hard all year long.

“It’s really an honor to be here being the top two students of our class, our graduating 2016 class,” Jacob Wallin of Alden-Conger High School said. “Like I said it’s an honor to be here with all these other students from schools all around.”

“It’s a great honor — I never really thought I’d achieve it but I guess hard work is starting to pay off, so it’s awesome,” Logan Mayer of Riceville Community High School said.

The top students from each school were celebrated, and many say it feels good after putting in years of work.

“It’s an amazing feeling being able to be top in our class and it’s just an amazing to feel the work payoff,” Zach Anderson of Alden-Conger High School said.

“It’s a really good honor and we put in a lot of hard work and we’ve dedicated ourselves and we tried really hard to excel as much as we can in our academics, so it’s great,” Lydia Beran of Riceville Community High School said.

The six finalists for Golden Apple teacher of the year were also honored and Geri Berding of Clear Creek Elementary was named teacher of the year. She said it was great to see all the students being recognized because she knows how students have had a positive effect on her over the years.

“I just think of the kids and the 30-plus years I taught,” Berding said. “I just think of how many kids that have just impacted me and will always hold a piece of my heart.”

MASON CITY, Iowa – Math teacher Mrs. Kathy Aberg is proof that sometimes you can accomplish things you never thought you could.

She said, “When I was in high school, math was not easy for me.” Now, that’s a lesson she tries to teach her students every day. “You build up their confidence and say that they can do it and then you work with them, you try different techniques, you do whatever it takes, because if they believe in themselves, they can do it.”

As a senior, David Schupick has been doing a lot of reflecting on his high school career and he says he owes a lot of his success to Mrs. Aberg. “She definitely has taught me to stay positive, work through everything, everything is achievable! It’s never the end you know?” David said Mrs. Aberg is always there to help before and after school, and teaches in a way the students can relate to.

“We try to bring in sports and their extracurricular activities and what the students are involved with into the classroom.” Her fun personality also makes math a piece of cake. David said, “Mrs. Aberg is always nice and keeps me upbeat. Her class is very easy to get into focus with and I don’t ever dread the class.”

And when she can help a student with a break through, it’s the best part of her day. “When you see that you can make a difference, that is what teaching is all about.”

CHARLES CITY, Iowa – It’s an emotional moment for Mrs. Field, as the room she’s standing in fills with applause and cheers.

“She’s a kindhearted and supportive teacher,” says 5th-grader Dylan Shultz. In fact, Dylan calls her his cheerleader. “She wants me to picture her on the sidelines cheering me on.” And considering everything she does for him and all of her students, the title is fitting. “We talk a lot. We talk about how he’s feeling and how he can relate to things that are happening around him, I’m here for him when things are going great, help him with things that are going rough.”

As an Instructional Support Teacher, Mrs. Field helps the kids with anything from behavioral or social support, school work, and everything in between. As she puts it, every kid just needs someone in their corner.

” (Someone) That can understand them in a way that nobody else can. They need somebody to fight for them, cheer for them, and get them moving when they can’t get moving themselves.” She knows her students will have to move on one day, and she hopes, when they do, they’ll take this message with them. “Always try and never give up. Always try no matter how hard it is! Always try! You’ll find one way that is going to work.”

And as for her Golden Apple award, Field says it was a welcome surprise. “I feel very humbled, very honored, and very blessed.”

CRESCO, Iowa – “Full of energy, independent, and self directed, but still need love, they still need guidance.”

This describes all the things that make up a group of tiny kindergartners and they happen to be kindergarten teacher Michelle Timps’ favorite components of her job. She said, “Just knowing that these kids are waiting for me is so exciting and then when you get here, you realize ‘Oh my gosh! they are so excited. ”

After teaching various age groups throughout the years, she discovered classrooms like these are where she belongs. “We can really make a difference in their foundation of learning. Whether it be technology or how they interact with their friends, or learning the ABC’s or learning to read it all starts here.”

Her students say she is kind, loving, and always brightens their day. Student Alex Knutson said, “When we are good, she does something silly.”

In Mrs. Timp’s class, time spent in here is not only about learning to read and write, it’s about so much more “They are leaving their homes where they feel safe, and I want to create that safe environment and help them grow throughout the year so, at the end of the day and years later when you really see in their faces that you’ve made a difference, is very rewarding.”

CLEAR LAKE, Iowa –  What started as a disciplinary assembly called by the middle school principal quickly turned into a moment of joy for social studies teacher Mrs. Katie Schmidt.

“I cried,” Schmidt said. “I was mad and happy all at the same time.” Mrs. Schmidt is in her first year at Clear Lake, but she’s already won her students’ approval.

“She brings a lesson and it turns it into a game,” 6th grader Andrew Formanek said. “One time, we did Mesopotamia and we played jeopardy with that.”

It’s all about making history jump out of the textbook and transform into real life. “We just did an Athens Greek project where they created their own democracy and kind of had some new laws and things made for the school,” Schmidt said.

Mrs. Schmidt said she’s not only there to help develop her students minds, but to be there for them during whatever life throws their way.

“Find out what kind of things they like to talk about, whether it’s sports, some of the girls like dance, or books or reading. Just kind of create a relationship with the kids. I think that is important. Ask them how their weekend was, asked how the holidays were. Find out what they are interested in and build on that,” Schmidt said.

And they appreciate it more that she will ever know. “This is like a second home and she feels like our second mom,” Formanek said. “And she’s always the best.”

LAKE MILLS, Iowa – Congratulations to Mrs. Allison Klaassen, this weeks Golden Apple award winner!

Her students describe her as a fun teacher, and after spending a few minutes in Allison Klaassen’s 2nd grade classroom, you’ll know it’s true. “That organized chaos,” Klaassen said. “it;s a good blend, where they do have that body movement, trying to keep it fresh and keep that variety.”

Klaassen has been teaching for 12 years and says her students never fail to surprise her. “I am always amazed at how willing they are to work hard, to keep improving, to take feedback, so that is a delight for me.”

Aiden Stensrud, one of Klaassen’s students, says he likes how she plays games with them in and out of the classroom. “I’ve never seen a teacher play basketball before,” Stensrud said.

For Klaassen, it’s part of making positive impressions. “It is a great way to connect with students and to reach those who struggle sometimes, or who are a little hesitant in the classroom, so that they can see a different side of you as well.”

And she said it’s those moments that keep her motivated. “You get that clean slate every day and you can come back and improve upon those things you want to build within yourself and your students.”

CLEAR LAKE, Iowa –  Congratulations to Mr. Mike Lester from Clear Lake High School!

“It was just an exciting field for me to jump into.” It’s a field that’s kept industrial technology teacher Mike Lester going strong for 11 years and one he hopes his students learn to love too.

He said, “I love teaching, I love what I’m doing, the classes that I teach.  So I am very excited when I teach it, I think if they see that excitement coming out of me, it creates more excitement when they are doing it as well.”

His pupils can relate. 9th grader Evan Logston said, “I’m more of a hands-on kind of person so I like to build stuff instead of sit at a desk.”

Mr. Lester said his classes aren’t only fun, but he’s helping prep students for the real world. “There’s a bunch of different careers they can take. It’s just an introduction at the high school level, but then they can go onto NIACC and get a two-year degree there or even just basic stuff. Everyone is going to be driving a car so it’s a good thing to know.”

It’s all about trying new things while problem solving along the way. Lester said, “Instead of just sitting around and watching, I jump in and help them do certain things on certain projects, but a big part of my teaching is that I step back and let them do a lot of the work.”

What the high school class loves the best about Mr. Lesters classes is his personality. Logston said, “He cracks a lot of jokes and he is always happy even if he’s having a bad day, he’s always happy.”

CRESCO, Iowa – After being on maternity leave, Mrs. Katie Mahr couldn’t wait to see her students bright and smiling faces.

She said, “When you come back to your class and everybody says ‘yay the teacher’ I say I’m just going to hang out with you guys.”

Her smile is something she puts on to show the class that a good attitude can take you far. “I think kids learn more by example than they do from a textbook,  so if I can show them what it looks like to be a good person, then hopefully they can apply that in their own lives.”

Though she’s positive day in and day out, Mahr says she may be a younger teacher, but she has some old school rules. “I think kids need to know how to say please and thank you!  That is something that is still learned in school.”

The students say they love coming to school because Mrs. Mahr makes learning fun First grader, Mason Weigert said, “She teaches us math games and stuff and sometimes literacy games.”

And with just a few days left in the school year, she’s reflecting on what inspired her to become a teacher in the first place. “I am completely motivated to come to work and to be a teacher every day by a woman named Melody Balk and she was my fifth grade teacher and she is the most amazing woman and I just hope if I can be half the inspiration that she was to me to these little guys, then I’m doing okay.”