Linda Armstrong and Sara Camp, Victor Intermediate School

Our final Golden Apple surprise of the school year comes from the family of News 8's Kevin Doran. The Dorans are saying goodbye to two teachers who have been part of their lives for 6 years. We honor Mutli-Age Teachers Linda Armstrong and Sara Camp at Victor Intermediate School.

Linda and Sara Camp teach a 4th, 5th and 6th grade multi-age class. It's actually two classes in one big room. It can be kind of crazy with all those kids at different ages. But to a parent who has seen Camp and Armstrong work their magic for years, I know each child is prepared academically and they learn to respect and care for each other.

Principal Mary Szlosek says "They really create a family of students and they've got three years together, the kids span three years, and they network and form close bonds all in the name of learning and having fun while they're doing it."

Linda says kids feel safe when they're part of a family. "I think because they feel comfortable here they're willing to take risks with us."

Sara adds "It's terribly important at school because it's important for all the kids to know they're all good at something and that they're all important, they're all valued and they're supported by one another."

My wife Teresa and I consider ourselves lucky both our girls, Emma and Eva, have had Camp and Armstrong. So how do you say thank you to two teachers who have meant so much to our family?

The best way I know how, with a News 8 Golden Apple Award.

Camp and Armstrong are teachers who take pride in what they do and what their students accomplish.

Sara says they try to be good examples. "I think we model what we want the kids to do. Working together, supporting one another and respecting each other's talents.

"There's nothing better than a great teammate" says Linda. "Because we get to bounce ideas off each other, we get to learn from each other and there's instant feedback. You know if something didn't work we know it right away."

Linda Armstrong and Sara Camp are News 8 Golden Apple Award winners. You can read the letter we wrote nominating them below.

Dear Channel 8,

    I am writing this letter on behalf of my wife Teresa and I with sincere appreciation for everything Linda Armstrong and Sara Camp have done for our family over the last 6 years. We've had the good fortune of having our children, Emma and Eva, in the Victor School District's multi-age program. The greatest blessing has been the fact that both have spent several years with the two best teachers a parent could ever ask for.
    Linda and Sara are team teachers and share a classroom in the Victor Intermediate School. I'll admit, when you have all those 4th, 5th and 6th graders together, it can seem like chaos, but what's really going on is very organized. Kids are given individual attention and learn at their own pace. Sara and Linda do what's necessary to help each child succeed.
    At the same time, in the larger group, kids learn to think for themselves and help each other. They care about their classmates and learn what it means to be part of something bigger. They have empathy for each other. What Linda and Sara create is a sense of family. When their students leave they are prepared for 7th grade, academically and emotionally. Their former students in Junior High and High School are always among the high performers.
    I can think of no better way to say thank you than to present these two wonderful ladies a News 8 Golden Apple Award. They represent everything good about teachers. Our family is very grateful they've been part of our lives for so many years.

Sincerely,

Kevin, Teresa, Emma and Eva Doran