MELBOURNE, Fla. — A+ Teacher Stacy Gooch teaches first-graders at Dr. W.J. Creel Elementary School in Melbourne, and her father’s dedicated service in the military inspired her to teach as a career.

Gooch has always wanted a career in the classroom because of her father's service.

“When I was little, my father was in the military. He was in the Army. He flew helicopters, and he trained pilots, so he was a teacher himself,” she said.

Gooch said it was the way he taught that really motivated her to pursue a career in teaching.

“I remember how he would teach with such patience and kindness and caring, and 'I thought I want to do that. I want to be a positive impact on students as well',” she said.

“All of his students just loved him,” she said.

People describe Gooch as outstanding, valued, caring and compassionate. Those are traits she no doubt learned from her dad and now shares with her students.

“We just have fun and engage in activities that create experiences and memorable activities and memories for a lifetime,” Gooch said.

The classroom is home for Gooch, who has taught first grade for 25 years, making her father proud.

“I love to create lifelong learners. First grade is such a crucial age to teach. It’s so rewarding,” she said.