Serena Heights Teacher Surprised with Golden Apple Award at School

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL - Serena Heights Elementary School teacher Andrea Beaty was surprised by her students, family and co-workers on Friday with the news that she was a winner of the Golden Apple award.

Beaty teaches ELA, science, social studies, math and social emotional classes to fourth graders at the Chicago Heights school.

According to a news release, Beaty’s class "starts each day with a warm up song that she leads while standing atop her desk, followed by a Peace Circle during which students share feelings and discuss the 'mountains' they are working to overcome."

Related: Serena Hills Teacher Selected as 2017 Golden Apple Finalist

The walls of her classroom are decorated with photos and goal statements of each student and written atop each of their desks are personal “power words” to remind them they are empowered to conquer personal challenges.

Another unique part of Beaty's teaching style is at the start of the school year, students apply and interview for specific jobs in the classroom such as photographer, writer or classroom store manager.

Watch here as Beaty was surprised at the school on Friday.