Millie Batts Awarded Golden Apple

This may look like your typical classroom, but for the kids who walk through the door every day, its a safe haven.
  
Millie Batts, "My class is designed for children to come and reflect on their choices."

Millie Batts came to the alternative classroom at Wolftever Elementary three years ago. She provides academic and emotional help for her kids in Kindergarten through 5th grade.

"Somebody needs to be there for theses children. It's just a calling for me."

But for one little girl, she's done even more than that. Chelsey ---- came to Ms. Batts classroom last year. She'd come from a pretty tough situation in Georgia, and her biological Aunt Melissa Kean had just gained full custody.

"According to Hamilton Co. Chelsey could not be placed in a regular classroom." Kean says Ms. Batts wouldn't give up on Chelsey and she's blossomed thanks to the teacher's efforts. She now functions at a third grade level and for the first time gets to be a pretty normal kid.

"She's made friends. She's starting a new life. Ms. Batts gave her a chance."

Chelsey says it's like that for all the kids.

"We get to spend time with her more." 
 
Ms. Batts gives each student individualized attention. Her's is one of three alternative elementary classrooms in the Hamilton County School District.

"Each one of them may have problems that they need assistance with, and I'm just there for them."

Ms. Batts is very clear, children don't come to her classroom for punishment, they come to her for help. She says the structured setting is ideal for certain kids who just need a little more support, even if it's just for a couple hours a week. Her goal is for her kids to be placed full time in a regular classroom. But until that's possible, they spend as much time in her classroom as they need.

"It's what God expected me to do, I think they need me."