Every day this week, News 12 is announcing a winner for the Teacher Appreciation Week contest, and today's winner is Kim Castellano from Oak Tree Elementary in Monroe.

Castellano has been in the classroom for 12 years, and is currently teaching third grade. While there has been a lot of uncertainty this past year, she says keeping things in perspective has made a big difference.

“You're always thrown curve balls in education, especially at the elementary level,” says Castellano. “You’re such a pivotal person in the lives of young ones where you're shaping them, and I just feel like ‘Am I doing the right thing? Am I going forward in the right way?’ I just kept reminding myself that we're all in the same boat. We're all in this together. It’s a worldwide pandemic, it's not just Oak Tree Elementary, and just staying positive, honestly."

She is getting a $500 gift card courtesy of Teachers’ Insurance Plan of NJ.

Click here to see all of the nominated teachers.