Ridgeland High School Teacher Wins Golden Apple Award for Helping Kids Get Ready for Life

Teaching isn't just about reading, writing, and arithmetic...it's about preparing kids for life after school.

Lori Massingill has been teaching at Ridgeland High School for eight years...and a Walker County mom says thanks to Ms. Massingill her daughter is ready for the real world...

She's this weeks Golden Apple Award winner.

Try to teach a 9th Grade English class and you might wish you had a twin...Beverly Capley got her wish in the form of Co-Teacher Lori Massingill.

The two have been sharing a classroom for the last four years.

Ms. Capley prepares the lesson plans, and Ms. Massingill helps her teach and keeps the class in line.

Ms. Massingill says, "It's just a neat job, teaching. I enjoy it, believe it or not."

But it's not her only role...Ms. Massingill also serves as a case manager for ten Ridgeland students with various disabilities, "One size doesn't fit all. And especially now in schools, because there are so many options."

For Lauren Frank those options came in the form of completing graduation requirements early.

Ms. Massingill is helping her proofing her senior project right now, and Lauren has the option of graduating early, "Lauren makes me look good..."

Lauren came to Ridgeland two years ago.

She has a mild form of autism, and was paired up with Ms. Massingill to steer around some of her challenges.

Lauren says, "She's helped me, pushed me to be able to reach my goals."

In the last two years Lauren has transformed form a shy, quiet girl...to a confident young woman who's not afraid to ask questions and get the answers she needs.

Lauren's mom Connie says, "We see such a big difference in her life now."

Ms. Massingill has made sure Lauren keeps up academically.

She carries a 4.0 GPA , and after school plans to go college.

Connie says Ms. Massingill has been Lauren's biggest cheerleader, "I told her last year she should win an award for being the very best teacher."

It's the same level of commitment Ms. Massingill gives all her students...and her validation is watching her kids succeed, "It was almost like, 'This is where I'm supposed to be.'"

To nominate your special teacher, pick up an entry form at your local Bi-Lo and send it to:

Golden Apple Award
P.O. Box 2438
Chattanooga, TN 37409

Then watch WDEF News 12 Tuesday night's at 6:00 to see if your teacher was chosen.