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.

If Arsenal Technical High School educators were a sports team, staff members say there's no doubt who the MVP would be: behavior support specialist Ebony Lee.

"She's someone we can count on every day," said Assistant Principal Retha Swain. "She shows up, and she shows out."

Lee's primary role is to monitor students in the hallways between classes, but her impact stretches far beyond the school's walls. Swain says Lee is the first to volunteer for events, always willing to offer support and a shoulder to lean on.

"She's passionate about students," Swain said. "We have people who come in every day who don't have that same passion or work as hard as she does. But because she's her true self, that's what makes her phenomenal."

Lee's dedication extends to the basketball court, where she helps with girls' sports. That's how she met student Rose Cirosil.

"She tells you straight up that you can do better," Cirosil said. "Not just because she sees you're giving 50%, but because she believes in you more than anyone else will."

Lee's guidance also reaches students who are struggling the most. Toddrea Foster admitted she was a problem student before meeting Lee.

"I used to tell them, 'You're not my mom. Don't treat me like that,'" Foster said. "But then I saw myself becoming a better person. I started going to church, and I started talking to them about everything."

Lee doesn't just hold students accountable -- she keeps her colleagues in check, too.

"She's brought out a softer side of me when it comes to coaching female athletes," said Michael Fox, head girls' basketball coach. "She finds a way to say, 'You gotta do this, you gotta do that.'"

With all that in mind, the WISH-TV Golden Apple team knew Lee was the perfect recipient of this month's award. But since she spends most of her time in the hallways instead of a classroom, we had to get creative to pull off the surprise.

Hiding in a utility closet near the assistant principal's office, WGU Indiana Chancellor Alison Bell and I waited for the perfect moment.

When Lee was called to the office, she walked in cautiously -- until she saw the familiar faces of students and staff cheering, "Congratulations!"

"Oh, my God!" Lee exclaimed.

Bell then presented Lee with a $2,000 check from WGU Indiana, along with a gift from Teachers' Treasures.

Overwhelmed, Lee needed a moment to soak it all in. As she did, her students took the mic to share just how much she means to them.

"When my mom was going to be late for senior night, Mrs. Lee was ready to walk me out herself," one student said. "She didn't have to because my team did, but it was the thought that mattered."

Another added, "She takes care of all of us, and we really love her."

As students showered Lee with appreciation before heading to class, she wiped away happy tears and shared what drives her every day.

"I don't feel like I deserve this," Lee said. "I just think, 'Who can I bless with this? What can I do to give back?' That's my whole life."

Asked what advice she'd give to the next educator hoping to make an impact, Lee kept it simple: "Do all you can while you can to help somebody," she said. "You never know when someone is on their last moment."

Words to live by from an MVP both on and off the court.