INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — WISH-TV celebrates extraordinary teachers in central Indiana with the WISH-TV Golden Apple Award.

The award comes with a $2,000 cash prize from Western Governor’s University (WGU), a trophy, a school supply shopping spree to Teachers’ Treasures, and a surprise visit from the News 8 team with help from WGU Indiana.

May’s Golden Apple Award winner is Ms. K’Driahn Black. She’s a fourth grade reading and English languages arts teacher with Indianapolis Public Schools, and she’s truly the bees’ knees.

At Charles Warren Fairbanks School 105, there’s a buzz about Black and her beehive classroom. Two of her fourth graders, James Jackson and Melissa Miranda, explain it like this: “She just likes bees.”

Nattlee Rodriguez, another of Black’s students, repeated a few of the bee-themed mantras in the classroom: “‘Bee-lieve who you are’… ‘Bee’ who you want to be’… And I love that.”

Black comes from a family of educators and has always wanted to be a teacher. When another teacher suggested she come up with a classroom theme, she chose bees – it has been the buzz in her classroom ever since.

Photos of the many bee-themed decorations in Black’s classroom, including a bee-themed daily schedule, bee-themed affirmations, and a giant stuffed bumblebee.
(WISH Photos)

Her students also love how Black believes in every student. “She’s nice, kind, encouraging, and some kids say she’s inspiring them to become a teacher,” James said.

As an English Language Arts teacher, these students say she uses voices and characters to bring vocabulary and stories alive. She encourages students to have conversations with each other, and work together to thrive in class.

She also motivates them with a class store and “Bee-Bucks,” featuring the “Queen Bee” herself. She fills her class store with prizes that she buys with her own money which students can earn.

Sneak peeks at Black’s prize store and the “Bee-bucks” featuring Black’s likeness.
(Provided Photos/K’Driahn Black)

She’s been with IPS for years, but this is her first year teaching at Charles Warren Fairbanks Exploratory School 105.

Students and staff say Black feels like a school mom, which is also appropriate: Black is a mom of four, and both of her sons go to the school.

Her fellow coworkers say she’s fun, but also means business. Kaliah Elliot, an instructional coach, refers to her as a “no-nonsense nurturer.”

“When I say that, that means she means what she says and she says what she means. She expects all of her students to come out on top, and she is the perfect source of support to get them where they need to be. They know that, and she shows them exactly what she needs.”

Art teacher Madison Ivory agrees. “Ms. Black is amazing! She is one of the prominent heartbeats of our school. When I tell you that you need an educator who is determined to fill her children with not only knowledge but inspiration for further careers in life and just positivity, she’s amazing. She fits that perfectly.”

Stephen Gainey runs operational care at the school and hired Black. He says that they want to hire more people like her.

Ms. Black in action teaching her students vocabulary words and the meaning of “stunned.”
(WISH Photo)

“We want to hire the best for our kids, because they deserve it. And we want to hire more Ms. Blacks. So she’s always at the top of my mind when I do that,” Gainey said. “I snagged her up pretty quickly.”

He says teachers like Black are what every school needs. Even in other classrooms, teachers see Black reflected in their students.

“She’s nurturing, but she’s also – she expects them to want it. But, she’s encouraging, she’s inspiring, and you can tell – of course – she’s a mother. It’s a beautiful thing to watch, honestly, and we love those educators in our school because it shines,” Ivory said.

That’s why Ivory and 15 other people nominated Ms. Black for the WISH-TV Golden Apple Award.

So, you better “bee-lieve” her sons, IPS Superintendent Aleesia Johnson, WGU, and the News 8 team went to surprise Ms. Black. 

After receiving the $2,000 check, her response was an outstanding, “Ahh, thank you!”

Black celebrating her Golden Apple win with her class, IPS superintendent, and fellow teachers.
(WISH Photos)

Black didn’t realize the impact her characters and singing made while teaching. She says that touched her heart.

“I feel appreciated by my students – in a way that I didn’t know they appreciated me,” she said. “But, also – the staff here, they have shown me their appreciation from the first day I started here, so I am not surprised in that way.

“I didn’t know that it makes a student’s day when I say ‘ahoy matey’ for a unit on pirates. So, it is good to hear that, because there is so much work behind the scenes. To see and hear that it matters and it pays off, that’s a good feeling.”

When asked what she wants other people to take away from her story, she said, “Definitely be yourself. I am very big on authenticity, but also as you are yourself, make sure a part of yourself is to be a better you you know – than you were yesterday.”

Because being better each day is a small step we can all take to be our best selves, be there for each other, and perhaps wear the title of “Queen Bee.”

Black and her family.
(WISH Photos)

WISH-TV will soon crown the Golden Apple Award Grand Finale winner.

Tune in at 6:30 p.m. June 10 to see the Grand Finale Special. The nine winning teachers from this school year will be in the WISH-TV studio for a live show, and one will win another $2,000 from WGU.

To watch other Golden Apple Award recipients, click here.