BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- A Ridgecrest teacher was crowned the winner of a national award for her ability to create meaningful relationships with her students while fostering academic success. Murray Middle School teacher Aleah Washington won a $5,000 award from 'Honored', a non-profit organization dedicated to keeping great teachers in the classroom. Spring semester begins at Bakersfield College’s Arvin satellite campus The non-profit says Ms. Washington was nominated for the Honored Award by one of her students, Ty Pinchem, and his mom Jocelin. "Ms. Washington would incorporate football and learning to make information click. For me, she would say that if I practice football to get better, that is the same with school. It made me look at school different," Ty about Washington.