Panama City - This week's Golden Apple award winner is a third grade teacher at Tyndall Elementary School. Amber Shepard says parent involvement and the wonderful team at Tyndall help make her job a joy.

In Ms. Shepard's third grade class reading is a top priority. Her students work on comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency at special stations. Not only is it an effective way to teach the important components of reading; students say, thanks to Ms. Shepard, now they enjoy reading more. "I like reading because she lets us sit down on these cushions and we can read and it's really fun," said student Paul Scala.

Not one to simply sit behind the teachers desk, Ms. Shepard says she loves being on the same level as her students. "I am really hands on with my kids, I like to be right there involved," said Amber Shepard. "When we don't understand something she will help us and keep helping us to make sure we understand it," said Ashley Dempster.

"Ms. Shepard works on building that relationship with the kids and because she has the rapport with them she knows exactly what they need for each one of them to succeed," said Principal Susan Ross. Principal Ross says Ms. Shepard plays an important role outside the classroom as well. "She is a grade level leader and she does great with that as well."

"Tyndall is such a great school to teach at. I am just so blessed to be here with the parents and the students. We are all just a big family, it's just a great place. It makes you want to be a better teacher," said Ms. Shepard.

Congratulations to Ms. Shepard, this week's Golden Apple award winning teacher. "I am very humbled, I am very blessed."