LAKE MARY, Fla. — Seminole County A+ Teacher Laura Maitland's commitment and dedication to her students are deeply personal. 

She teaches prekindergarten at Lake Mary Preparatory School, which is a private school in Lake Mary.

A parent nominated Maitland, describing her as amazing. The grateful parent says Maitland goes above and beyond to make sure students overcome any challenges they face.

"So for me, it's very, very personal," Maitland says. "My own son is autistic and was diagnosed around the time he was 2."

Maitland says, "I've had this extreme amount of empathy for children that have any type of challenges or need any extra attention with learning, and I'm very big on having an inclusive-type classroom. I try to keep everything playful and fun."

Her classroom is one where everyone's needs are met, she says. 

"I want everyone to feel like this is their safe space to be — that they're welcome — that they all have a voice and they're being heard," she says.

That's critical because every student has his or her own unique way of learning, Maitland says.

"You get to know them. You get to see what they respond to," she adds. "Some will respond more to music. Some will respond more to hands-on. Some will respond more to movement so you really try to incorporate all that into what you're doing to meet all of those needs. So it really makes this wonderful learning environment where they come — they know "