Excitement was in the air at Hamilton Junior High Wednesday, where WTAP and Jan Dils presented the first Golden Apple award this school year to Mrs. Tammy McKnight!

She's a math teacher at Hamilton, but her skills in the classroom aren't limited to geometry and algebra.

Mrs. McKnight was nominated for going the extra mile with a particular student who needed extra attention in all of his classes.

She says it's her job to make students successful, which at the end of the day is a great reward.

"Our test scores in seventh grade math at Hamilton are great and I'm very proud of that. And every year I get to say, gosh, our kids did such a great job and I feel like I'm part of that. I think like all the math teachers here do a great job. As a matter of fact, I think all of the teachers do a great job making sure our kids can learn," she says.

Mrs. McKnight also she feels honored to be recognized for her work.

"I think it's wonderful! I think it's great! Even when the kids come back and say, oh, Mrs. McKnight we missed you, or you were the best teacher I had, or I wish I could be back in your class again. It makes me feel great. So to know that the students and parents appreciate it makes me feel really good. Thank you very much, and thank you to the people at Hamilton," she says.

Mrs. McKnight received a plaque, and a golden apple necklace from Baker and Baker Jewelers, which is new this year.