Golden Apple week concludes with a visit to Gates Elementary in Grand Island. The high-energy educator that takes our final award of the week is Patsy Steenson.

Mrs. Steenson inspires her students through her love of music. This teaching veteran has found a wonderful way of using songs to inspire her students to learn. We surprised Mrs. Steenson in front of her many fourth grade admirers. And the young man that nominated his favorite teacher was Luke Jacobs, "My fourth grade teacher is Mrs. Steenson. She is the best teacher because we have American pen pals that live on an army post in Germany."

And not only that, Mrs. Steenson gives the gift of music to her students everyday, "We learn a lot of funky and cool songs such as Madelina Catalina Rosendina Waltendina Hogan Bogan Logan."

Mrs. Steenson, says, "I just like to begin the day with singing. It gets the kids going and also helps them with their reading fluency as we're learning new songs and I think it helps with their musical abilities also."

Gates Principal Julie Martin says Mrs. Steenson has high expectations for her students, "I mean she really wants her kids to succeed and she sets the bar high and she challenges them to get there. Her kids achieve well because of that."