Golden Apple: Michelle Wheat
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It’s that time of week where we honor a local teacher and thank them for everything they do. Today’s Golden Apple Award takes us to Wetumpka Elementary School, where we meet a teacher who says teaching students to give back is part of her goal.
Michelle Wheat is in her seventeenth year as a teacher. She has spent all of that in Wetumpka schools, teaching fourth and fifth grade. She knew she wanted to be a teacher since she was a young girl.
“I had my chalkboard, I had my desk, you know probably had fake students and they had papers,” Wheat said.
Wheat serves as sponsor of the Wetumpka Elementary School Student Union, which holds several events each year, including service projects. This year, the group gathered and donated about 800 canned good items for needy families in the area.
Wheat, who serves as fourth-grade level chair, has also furthered her own education. She has a masters from Troy University in Montgomery and an administration certification from AUM, in addition to her undergraduate degree from Faulkner University.
Inside the classroom, Wheat stays on her feet all day, encouraging students to get involved with hands-on activities to help them understand and learn new concepts.
“She does a lot of fun stuff with us and i really think she deserves the golden apple award,” said Tabitha Tegman, one of Wheat’s students this year.
Even though Wheat admits there are good and bad days, she says in the end-it’s all worth it.
“Every day is new, when they finally get it and you have students come back ten years later and with their children even, and say good things about you,” said Wheat.
Do you have a recommendation for a great teacher we should recognize? To nominate a teacher for the Golden Apple award, click on the “Golden Apple” banner on our website and fill out the form.
