Golden Apple teachers may touch the lives of many students, but usually their ability to reach one in a way no other can prompts their nomination and selection to this elite group.

This is the case for Mountain View Elementary's Ruby Hedrick.

"She's just a wonderful teacher, and if anyone deserves the Golden Apple Award, it's Ruby Hedrick," says Tami Cline, who nominated Hedrick for the honor.

Cline's father died just before her daughter, Baleigh, was to start kindergarten. Since Baleigh was very close with him, she developed serious anxiety issues, but Cline says through the grace of God and Ruby Hedrick, Baleigh has improved 100 percent.

Baleigh says, "She helped me love school. She's the greatest teacher ever!"

According to Principal Selah Sprinkel, Baleigh's opinion is shared by many others, and she says, "Often a family will have a child who is in her class and then when they have another child come along, they always ask to have Mrs. Hedrick again."

"Some children do need special help and special care and sometimes it doesn't take much and so I'm always willing to give to the children what they need," says Hedrick.

Cline explains exactly what Hedrick did to set her apart.

She says, “Ruby just stepped in with the notes and calls and she just breezed through getting adjusted in school and there is just no way I can express the gratitude that I have for her."

This is an honor the 34-year teaching veteran says she won’t soon forget.

She says, “It's one of the greatest things that's happened to me since I've been teaching."