Gail Gropp makes a habit out of telling her students at Cross County how much they mean to her. That's why it's only appropriate that one of her students returned the favor by telling 10/11 News just how much Mrs. Gropp means to her. Brynley Klein wrote her nomination letter just like her teacher teaches...from the heart.

Cross County Principal Ron Nickel has worked with Mrs. Gropp for the past 20 years, "The thing that amazes me the most is how the kids always come back. When a high school student comes back to visit the school one of the first places they go is Mrs. Gropp's class."

And doesn't that speak volumes about the mutual admiration that is shared between this marvelous middle school teacher and her students. Brynley reads from her letter, "Mrs. Gropp has been teaching for 35 years, and she is forced to retire this year because of health reasons. Mrs. Gropp deserves this award because she teaches us through the heart. When people are having social issues, they go to Mrs. Gropp and she knows how to make everything better."

Mrs. Gropp will be sorely missed here Cross County and it's plain to see why. She loves the kids and the kids love her. This lady was born to teach, "Teaching touches kids lives. These students that are sitting in this classroom are the future and they're the most important investment we have."