ORLANDO, Fla. — A+ Teacher Jana Long says not all students are on the same level, but when teachers and parents work together, every single student can achieve and succeed.

Long teaches first grade at Union Park Elementary School and says all students are not on the same level.

“They really need our patience in being able to change up a lesson at any point in order to be able to get them to understand and close those gaps,” she says.

She says she believes every one of her students can achieve and succeed when parents and teachers work together.

An example of how her students learn to work together is when they create number lines on the floor while learning basic addition skills along the way.

Students were not forced to sit still either. Long encourages them to be active, “Move around and get their energy up and work together collaboratively.”

She says her No. 1 rule in class is to always try your best.

“We always just need to try. A lot of our students just give up, and we always say at least try and learn," Long says. "When we’re wrong, you can always fix it and practice and master it.”

Long has always had a love for working with children, even back in high school.

“There’s a lot of emotion," she says. "A lot of different personalities in this classroom, so we all need to feel loved and build relationships before we can reach them academically.”

“I just really enjoy them. They’re amazing. The way they think and the way they share their lives with you and how they’re learning. They’re all different, and unique and special. Children are fun. They make life exciting,” she says.