Glenwood Elementary third-grade teacher Laurie Tait is a student's best friend, always going out of her way to incorporate each student's favorite interests into their classwork. 

"When I get to learn those things about them and make those connections, they tend to follow the rules, work harder, make positive choices," Tait said. 

The 17-year teacher earned her degree from SUNY Oswego before getting her master's in literacy from Binghamton University. She knew she wanted to be a teacher from a young age, being inspired by her own teachers. 

"I remember the teachers that went above and beyond. I still think of that even back from elementary school," Tait said. "So they left such an impact on me that I just wanted to have the same impact on my students."

Now being in those shoes, Tait says one of her main goals is to always add creative pieces into teaching the content her students need. The third-grade teacher always makes time each morning to hear about the students' days and lives outside of school. 

"When we're at morning meeting and we can share those reluctant students that aren't confident yet doing that, once I build that relation ship with them and they feel comfortable sharing, there's nothing more rewarding than that," Tait said. 

During those morning meetings, she's always instilling confidence in her students to take on the day the right way. 

"It's more believing in yourself, and staying positive," Tait said. "Those messages, they seem to need more and more, and I really focus on that."