CALEDONIA, N.Y. (WROC)— Congratulations to our latest Golden Apple Award winner, Nicole Flint. Flint has been a fixture at Caledonia Mumford Elementary for more than 20 years! Principal Michelle Meyer says, "She is one of the best. She has the best instructional practices. Top notch teaching every day. Her classroom is consistent, predictable, it's safe. Kids feel valued in her room each and every day." Former student Gracie Schunk adds, "kind of like gentle parenting, but gentle teaching." "She is very caring. She actually came to my birthday party when I was in 4th grade." says Jonah Schunk. Mrs. Flint has been teaching for a total of 34 years, and this will be her last. But before she retires in June, a number of former students wanted to honor her with a golden apple award. "It was her last year teaching, and I felt myself that more kids couldn't have her as a teacher that it was really sad, so I wanted to make this her best year," says former student Benjamin Brown. Mrs. Flint first began teaching in the early 90's and says she knew from the start it was what she was meant to do. "It's been a long time. I've taught pre-k, kindergarten, 4th grade which really has my heart. These kids are just so brilliant, they are inspiring to me. I learn from them every day and they let me into their little lives," says Flint. She's looking forward to retirement, but say it is bittersweet for sure."I'm a little bit sad too, because these laugh lines, they didn't just get there. I have so much fun, it is such a joy to be with these kids everyday they have the best jokes, they just make me laugh," says Flint. It seems as if the laughter is contagious. Mrs. Flint's read-a- louds are legendary, according to her students. Former student Reilly Schneider says, "whenever she reads a book to us, she always has the accent for the character and always makes everyone laugh. She's always putting a smile on everyone's faces.""She was very fun. Never let things get out of hand at all, in anyway whatsoever," says Jesse Schunk. Even though her time teaching is almost up, the impact she's had on students and colleagues will last a lifetime. "It just makes me happy. It brings joy and I know that every day I have the opportunity to make a difference one student at a time," says Flint.