INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — If Arsenal Tech High School had a team MVP, this month’s Golden Apple Award winner would take the title, no question.

She’s not just an educator. She’s the person who keeps students on track, pushes them to be their best, and shows up when they need her most.

“She shows up and she pretty much shows out,” Arsenal Tech Assistant Principal Retha Swain told News 8.

This educator’s main job is to monitor the hallways, making sure students are where they need to be. But her impact goes way beyond that.

“She’s passionate about students. We have people that come every day that are not as passionate or work as hard as she does,” Swain said. “That’s what makes her phenomenal.”

She also spends time coaching and mentoring student-athletes, which is how Arsenal Tech track and field athlete Rose Cirosil got to know her.

“She will tell you straight up, up front, that you can do better and you know that,” Cirosil said. “Not just because she sees you’re going 50%, she just believes in you more than anyone else will.”

That belief led Cirosil to make real changes.

“She really got on to me about my absences. She said, ‘Rose, this is unacceptable and you know that.’ And honestly, I had to make a change,” Cirosil said.

And she’s not just helping students with grades and sports. Toddrea Foster, another student at Arsenal Tech, said she’s been a life-changing influence.

“At first, I was like, ‘You’re not my momma. Don’t treat me like that,’” Foster said. “Then, when I started seeing myself become a better person, I started going to church and talking to them about anything that happened in my life.”

It’s not just students she’s helping. Michael Fox, Arsenal Tech’s head girls’ basketball coach, said she’s even made him a better coach.

“She’s held me accountable. She’s brought a softer side of me when it comes to dealing with female athletes,” Fox said. “She finds a way to say, ‘You gotta do this. You gotta do that.’”

This Thursday, News 8 will reveal who this special educator is during a surprise visit that highlights why this educator is deserving of the Golden Apple Award.

Make sure to tune in to Daybreak at 7:30 a.m. Thursday as we honor this exceptional teacher who exemplifies the best of Indiana education. You won’t want to miss the heartwarming moment!

Click here to see Golden Apple Award winners from years past.