Golden Apple: Erin Hardy

In Erin Hardy's second-grade classroom at Richland County Elementary School in Olney, Illinois there are students learning about writing, reading, and math by using Lego.

< benjamin franklin once said.... "tell me and i forget" "teach me and i remember".

"involve me and i learn".

That's exactly what our next golden apple award winner does.

In a second grade classroom at richland county elementary school in olney, illinois...there are students learning writing, reading and math by using legos!

Innovative teaching methods that children will remember for a lifetime!

/////////// presentatio} nat sound of lego} this is erin hardy's second grade classroom at richland county elementary school.

If you listen carefully...you'll hear the sound of fun.

It's not playtime...it's learning time and yes those are legos!

Na}...build something where you'd want to have your next birthday party.

Hardy is what's called a "lego education master educator".

Since 20-11...she's been using lego bricks specifically geared toward education to help kids learn...hands-on.

15:37:39:1}...we build every time we write.

We get to build what we're getting ready to write.

The kids love it.

The kids basically have their writing piece right in front of them.

They write down what they built.

It makes writing a lot more exciting and kids are all engaged when we're going that.... this is hardy's 16th year teaching...most right here in richland county.

She says the most important factor in a classroom is being "relationship centered".

Her classroom is called "the galaxy".

The kids learn to live by the quote..i am one star.

Together we are a galaxy.

Teaching little ones a lifelong lesson.

15:39:13:1}...we want everyone to be their best self and then when we come together we can be something really extraordinary that shines really brightly..... mrs. hardy wanted to make sure those bright stars that nominated her for a golden apple award got recognition.

Here she is thanking her students from last year...showing them the apple she says they "all" won.

Even months later...they clearly remember her message.

Nat img 185}..."in the galaxy we don't leave any star behind.

We are brave.

We are unique and we shine bright..."

Hardy knows olney, illinois is a small community..but she has big dreams for her students.

Parents say she helps kids find their voice...find their passion.

Bite 15:40:16:2}...believe is my favorite word.

I feel like it's really important to believe in yourself and i really want my kids to believe in themselves.

15:40:52:0}...there's a lot of 15:40:52:0}...thin themselves.

15:40:52:0}...there's a lot of ways you can make a difference and it's important to be looking for those ways that you can make a difference... musi} erin hardy has certainly found her way to make a difference.

If there is a "golden" star in that galaxy of ours...it's got this teacher's name written all over it!{music end} /////////////// tomorrow...the story of a golden apple turned class project in terre haute.

With photo-journalist tony kassissieh...i'm patrece dayton.>