This week's Golden Apple Award-winning teacher is paying it forward.
And benefitting from that are her biology students at Erie High School.
Sarah Chromik said she's been teaching for about seven years -- the last three in the Erie School District.
She said teaching 10th-grade biology at Erie High has been the best experience of her life.
"Honestly, because every day is new. and even like sometimes the hardest kids and the hardest days are the most rewarding," said Chromik. "My main thing is i always try to build relationships with my kids, even if they're difficult. Obviously, sometimes we're not successful. But sometimes we're very successful, so it's just coming in every day and making sure I'm here for them."
Like so many other Golden Apple teachers before her, Chromik stressed the importance of building a relationship with her students.
Here's how she does it:
"I try my best to be as authentic and real as I am. I try not to put on a facade that I'm this perfect person," Chromik added. "When you're an open book, they tend to be an open book."
The school played an important role in the life of this week's Golden Apple Award winner. Now, being a teacher is her way of paying it forward.
"School was my safe place, so when I needed an adult I went to my teachers. so because of that, I wanted to give back," she explained.
This week's student nominator considered Chromik like another mom.
"Well, I have two moms. Her makes it another one. It's good. She's honestly really close to me," said Favian Gonzalez, student nominator.
"Anytime a teacher is on even ground with mom, that's a pretty big thing," said Mary Jo Melvin, PhD, Penn West University.
Chromik will have $250 to spend on her class, thanks to financial support and encouragement from Big Ideas Learning.
"She has a passion for teaching the students and that relationship and connection. Not only are they connected to the subject and interested like she is, but they're also connected to her. That's so important in the classroom," said Damon Finazzo, Big Ideas Learning.
Congratulations Sarah Chromik, this week's JET 24 Penn West University Golden Apple Award winner.