Lee Doohan, Mendon Center Elementary School

Our News 8 Golden Apple Award winner is a teacher who thought of her students first while she was facing the biggest challenge of her life, a brain tumor. We surprise Lee Doohan at Mendon Center Elementary School.

We visited Miss Doohan's classroom just before her last day of work. Lee is moving out of state to get married. A happy day for a teacher who has overcome a lot. Former student Bridget Welch explains why. "Well she had a brain tumor when I was in fourth grade. And she really inspired everyone in our class and she was just a great teacher. And she taught us more than just school lessons, she taught us life lessons."

Bridget had Miss Doohan in fourth and fifth grade. Now a sixth grader, she came back to help us say thank you to her favorite teacher.

The great news is Lee says her health is fantastic now. "I'm doing well, I'm feeling good. Yes."

Lee always puts her students first" says Principal Heather Kwit. "She develops really strong relationships with the students and their families and has just been there for them 100 percent."

Miss Doohan says throughout her medical problems she wanted to make sure her students weren't scared and that they understood illness is part of life. "I'll tell you teaching is just in my blood and they each become a family, each kid in the class becomes like a family member. And I think life skills are just so important. any chance you can do to integrate them into your lessons is just outstanding."

Lee says a Golden Apple is a special goodbye. "On a day when I leave here to head to North Carolina! I'm gonna miss these guys terribly and this school is just amazing. Thank you guys so much."

Lee Doohan is a News 8 Golden Apple Award winner. You can read the letter we got from Bridget nominating her is you look below.

Dear News 8,

Ms. Doohan is an outstanding teacher. Having her for two years, me and 21 other students have watched her go through treatment and recovery for a stressful brain tumor with great courage, confidence and a leader's positive attitude. Due to the tumor, she was out for many weeks, however, now that she is back, she is teaching us more than reading, writing and math, she is teaching us bigger lessons on life, like how to pull through tough times, stay positive, and be the best students we can be. I hope that Ms. Doohan wins a golden apple award so that she knows how much my class cares and looks up to her as a wonderful teacher and role model!

Sincerely,

Bridget Welch, 6th Grader