"I'm the oldest of four kids in my family and we were all lucky enough to have the same teacher for first grade. She taught us how important learning is and how getting an education is invaluable. All she asks of her students is that they give 100-percent like she does. She made learning fun and we love her for that. She is so committed to her students."

Congratulations to Mrs. Deb Frisinger, the recipient of the Golden Apple Award.

"I didn't know when I woke up this morning that this was going to be my lucky day - but it is! And I've seen other teachers get this award on TV when I was watching and I thought, 'how cool that would really be' - but I never thought or dreamed that it would be me one day" says Deb Frisinger.

Teaching at Holland Elementary for 17 years, Deb Frisinger says her love of young children and their willingness to learn is what keeps her coming back year after year.

"They call me 'mom' - some call me 'grandma' - some call me 'mrs. Frisinger', but you know, I feel like in their lives I am a person that they can always come to" says Deb Frisinger.

Robert and Matthew Buchanan are the two youngest of the Buchanan children. Their oldest sister Bridget, now 15, wrote the nominating letter.