Kimberly Garlock, RCSD School No.58

Our News 8 Golden Apple Award winner was nominated by a student who says this teacher saved his life. Watch as we surprise Assistant Principal Kim Garlock at Rochester School No.58.

Students and teachers poured into the gym at the World of Inquiry School. Only a handful new what was about to happen. Completely in the dark was Assistant Principal Kim Garlock. It was a festive atmosphere. We were hiding back stage.

We walked out and yelled surprise! Kim's family was with us. So was a former student of Kim's named Travis Florence. Travis nominated Mrs. Garlock for a News 8 Golden Apple Award.

She cried when she saw Travis. But they were tears of joy. You see this Golden Apple isn't only about honoring a teacher, it's about recognizing a young man a teacher believed in.

Kim Garlock was Travis Florence's Assistant Principal at Wilson Magnet High School. Travis is a bright student who was being pulled in the wrong direction; toward the streets. He says Mrs. Garlock straightened him out.

Today Travis is on the Dean's list at Everest Institute. He wants to attend RIT. He proudly told the students at School 58 teachers like Mrs. Garlock make a difference if you let them. "The thing about Ms. Garlock that's special is she didn't come to work as coming just to get a check. She was like one of the only sincere that I knew. And when I didn't care about doing anything myself, didn't care about my responsibilities, I wasn't even mature enough to accept me doing what I was supposed to do, she always pushed me, always. Even when I wanted to give up on myself, that's sincerity.'

Kim says the secret to reaching kids is "Just having relationships and loving them and treating them the way they deserve to be treated."

Travis has given Mrs. Garlock the greatest gift a teacher could ask for; acknowledgment that what she does is important. Kim: "This really is amazing, because you don't realize it unless someone tells you. And Travis coming back and saying it to me, this is what matters. I mean that's what makes me feel like I picked the right profession."

Kim Garlock is a News 8 Golden Apple Award winner. you can read the letter Travis wrote nominating her below.

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Dear Channel 8,

I write this nomination letter to you only in hope that you contact me and give nomination to this woman who saved my life (Mrs. Garlock). With out here I would have never progressed passed the ignorant stage I was lost in. The flip side of this situation is she is not a teacher she is a administrator who guided me out of high school with care equal to a mother. When I gave up on my self she didn't give up on me, and there is no amount of thank yous I feel I can give to show my appreciation to her. I will not stop writing to this organization about her nomination until she is acknowledged, because I truly feel this is the least I can do. Please hear me out.

Sincerely,

Travis Florence