TOBYHANNA -- The national spotlight is on a teacher in the Pocono Mountain School District for all she is doing in her career and in the community.
We got to find out just how special this sixth grade teacher truly is.
"I'm going to see who's doing an awesome job on their math. If you need any help raise your hand," Lori Killino told her students.
Killino juggles a sixth grade emotional support classroom here at Clear Run Intermediate. She does it every day with a smile; helping these students with a wide range of special needs, is her passion.
"I just love to help others and see them being able to grow and reach goals," said Killino.
Her students are nine boys, and for many of them, Mrs. Killino has changed the way they look at school.
"When Miss Killino took me in, my grades started getting higher and higher, she made me reach honor roll," said sixth grader Jaden Stanislaus.
Killino keeps her students busy, active, and engaged with games, songs, and interacting one on one.
This Scranton area native also has a passion for cheering and created the "Pride Squad" just two years ago. It's a cheer group where kids with special needs partner with a high school buddy, let loose and have some fun.
Amy Quinn says it was perfect for her daughter Abby who has Down syndrome.
"It really is, I'll never forget the first time that Abby put on her little uniform. I didn't think I was going to get it off of her," said Quinn.
Quinn's letter to Live with Kelly and Michael about "Coach Lori" got the show's attention and now Killino is in the running for Top Teacher.
"My goal is for them to be in the spotlight and make them shine as individuals and as a team and for that to be turned on me, it's been something else," said Killino.
Camera crews for the show were buzzing around Clear Run Intermediate, with parents tearing up. They say Miss Killino deserves the recognition more than anyone they know.
"Coach Lori just has a special way with the girls. She really is an angel on earth and she's drawn a lot of the girls out of their shells and she's taught them to do things they didn't even know they could do," said Quinn.
Killino's students couldn't be happier for their favorite teacher
"I pretty much almost did a back flip, my first back flip ever," said sixth grader Dillon Hurst.
Now her students and her squad are cheering Killino on.
"I think my teacher is the best teacher I ever had in my whole entire life," said Stanislaus.
They know she's already a top teacher and coach for so many in the Poconos, and beyond.
Killino will be appearing on Live with Kelly and Michael May 4 for Top Teacher Week. You can see it on WNEP-TV every weekday at 9 a.m.
Voting for the Top Teacher will run from 10 a.m. May 7 through 8 a.m. May 8.