Congratulations to Carolyn Modawell, this week's Golden Apple winner

It takes a special person to work with students with disabilities and this week's Golden Apple winner is a perfect example of that.

Carolyn Modawell has been teaching students with disabilities for 36 years. She's spent the last 28 at Margaret K. Lewis.

"I really think it was a god thing, it just directed me into special education a long, long time ago and I've never looked back," Modawell said.

Modawell wants her students to leave her classroom knowing they are important. She wants her students to have fun while learning, so finding engaging activities is key.

"I believe that every student can learn and does learn, but we just have to figure out how to make it happen for them," Modawell said.

She says her paraprofessionals help make everyday possible. Modawell loves giving back, but says she's been given so much more, she adopted a four-year-old boy with disabilities from the school, he's now 26.

"This is an opportunity that we know that we can change a child's life," Modawell said.

Tell us who your favorite teacher is, nominate a teacher for the Golden Apple, by clicking on the Golden Apple tab on our homepage. The winner for each week will be announced every Thursday morning.