GOTHA, Fla. — A+ Teacher Abimael Rivera is described as a motivator who really connects with his students. Rivera says a former teacher inspired him to make a difference in students' lives.

Rivera retired after 27 years of teaching English in Puerto Rico but is now back in the classroom. He reflects on the teacher who inspired him to pursue a career as an educator.

“He was a civics teacher, and he was always saying that people who are underdogs will be top achievers," Rivera says. "It’s just a matter of someone believing in them and look where we are today.”

The person who nominated Rivera as an A+ Teacher says he creates an environment for growth and life skills, no matter the challenge.

Rivera says he wants to make a positive impact on his students at Pathways for Life Academy.

“Like a simple problem right over there — for that problem to be solved, you need to go through certain steps. You have to go through a process,” he said.

Rivera says he hopes the math skills his students learn in the classroom will add up to success outside of his classroom.

“We integrate life skills into this, so in math class they start learning conversion," Rivera says. "They add their money. They subtract. We do our percentages, and at the end of the week, they get a check, and they get to go shopping. They get to cook, and you need to have that little bit of background knowledge to know what to do.

“I see a little bit of myself in them, and if I was able to do it, I know they can do it. It’s a matter of believing. It’s positivity and optimism. It’s all about following instructions and setting structure. If you have that, you’re going to get ahead in life.”