LONGWOOD, Fla. — With their hands in the air, eager students in Chimere Wright's class at Wekiva Elementary School in Longwood are taking an active part in their education. Wright encourages class participation and meaningful discussions as an effective way to learn.

Wright said she likes to have her students on their feet from time to time during class time.

"It also gives them a chance to get up and start moving so they're not sitting at their desk all day," she said.

Wright has been teaching for two decades and said it never gets old because she wants to make a difference.

"Teaching was … I feel like my calling and my way of how to do that," she added.

Wright is a wife and a mother of two. Her children are never too far away either.

"We have a 10-year-old son and a 6-year-old son, and they both attend Wekiva as well,” Wright said. "They're some of the best teachers here at Wekiva, so you can't go wrong."

She is also considered one of the best for the way she makes sure all her students really comprehend the lessons.

"Understanding the content, that they're being successful, that they're enjoying what they're learning, and I also want them to want to enjoy coming to school every day," she said.

It is why Wright tries to create a calming, comfortable classroom for her students — complete with a little light jazz in the background.

"A lot of them are in that TikTok phase when everything is fast — so just to calm it down and have them concentrate a little bit more," she said.