Jaynelle Reed encourages her students to reach for the stars.

Castroville Elementary students cheered as their fifth grade science teacher, Jaynelle Reed, accepted the KENS 5 SACU Golden Apple ExCEL Award from KENS 5 news anchor Deborah Knapp.

For over 23 years Reed has used her unique blend of gentle instruction and encouragement to instill a love for science. As robotics coach, Reed makes science fun with her hands-on approach. Her hard work has paid off; her team has participated in the state robotics contest the last six years and placed in the top five each year, except the first year.

"I look at these students and try to see how I can challenge them and get them to think outside the box. I have them reach a little higher than they want and sometimes they get upset because they think we're pushing them but we try to push to make them be the best they can be," said Reed.

Reed knows just what to do to bring out the best in her students. With her inspiration they reach for the stars.