MAITLAND, Fla. – An Orange County A+ Teacher really knows how to create a love of reading for her students. Kelly Wilhite says it started years ago when she was in the very same place as her students, literally.  

Kelly Wilhite's fourth grader's lessons at Dommerich Elementary School are on the move. She teaches reading, writing and social studies.

Wilhite says, "I love to teach engaging strategies. I don't like students to be sitting and listening so we're using different activities that get them out of their seat. A big part of fourth grade is writing so we're always enhancing our writing and vocabulary and our creativity."

Wilhite has been teaching for 18 years and has spent the last seven years at Dommerich Elementary.  She says she was inspired to teach. She adds, "I chose teaching for many reasons – first and foremost – my three role models. My mom and dad who are both educators and also my own fourth grade teacher at Dommerich. Mrs. Bauer really inspired me when I was a student here."

That inspiration continues to this day. She says, "It's always so important. We know to teach students how to read but then to foster that love of reading and I love to see that passion."

Wilhite says, "When parents say, 'Oh my child loves this book or they can't put this book down. That's what really inspires me every day, and I love to see that passion."