Julie McEvoy is a fourth-grade teacher at Owego Elementary. 

The 22-year teacher has always made her classroom a comfortable space as her students are never afraid to ask for help or raise their hands. 

For McEvoy, she prides herself in her bonds and relationships with her students. She is always attending her student's sporting events and school plays that they participate in. 

"I really enjoy working with the kids and helping them improve, learn skills, learn concepts, get really excited for them," McEvoy said. "When they get excited about what they learn."

McEvoy isn't just a star inside the classroom, but also outside. McEvoy is a coach for the girls and youth basketball programs at Owego Elementary.

McEvoy was able to use skills that she took from coaching to help build strong bonds with her students inside the classroom.

But the bonds aren't just with the students, but also the parents, like student-parent Andrea Gregory. 

"It helps to make us feel like we're part of the classroom and that we know what's going on, what our children may need," Gregory said. 

One thing McEvoy wants all of her students to remember is that she will always have their backs.