SANFORD, Fla. — A+ Teacher Vernard Moore teaches 8th grade science at Millennium Middle School in Sanford. He’s not only focused on student achievement when it comes to hitting the books, but he’s also preparing his students for the game of life.

Moore teaches science and a leadership course called, “Young Men of Distinction” where students talk about their habits and priorities.

Classroom participation, he says, is key.

Moore didn’t set out to be a teacher.

He said, “I was involved in other things. I had just got my degree. I went through fire school and EMT school, and I wanted to be a firefighter and a medic at some point.”

Coaching led him to choose a career in the teaching field.

“About 2008-2009, I came home from school. A buddy of mine hit me with the idea of coaching youth sports. As I began teaching youth sports, it kind of felt like a purpose or a calling. I’ve been in love with it ever since,” he said.

He knows exactly what he wants his students to take away from his class.

“Obviously we want to teach the content. We want them to understand education is important but also the character. Who they are as young men and women moving forward in life. I genuinely and sincerely love every last one of them, because I’ve been these kids at some point in time in my life,” Moore said.

Moore said the relationships he builds with each student are important.

“They can always come to Coach Moore with anything that they need. Any way that I can help them, I definitely will try to put my best foot forward in doing that and if they know that, I feel that I have effectively done my job,” he said.