ORLANDO, Fla. — A+ Teacher Laurie Safford loves being in the classroom. She says while teaching is challenging, seeing the joy in children’s faces when they come through the door and watching them learn something new is a treasure.

Safford teaches second-graders all subjects. 

“I love children, said Safford, who has spent much of her 30-year teaching career at Bay Meadows Elementary. "I started in high school in day care centers and knew that they’re just funny and give great stories.”

She said it is important to set the right tone in the classroom.

“The more that they have fun learning, the more excited they are to come to school, the more excited they are to work together. And they have to kind of build through that real struggle of my idea is better," Safford said. "That’s why our big thing is, like, you can’t be the hog. You can’t be the log. You have to work together.”

Safford’s favorite part of the job is working with students, parents and other teachers to make sure no child slips through the cracks.  

“If you can, just bring a little bit of joy," she said. "As a teacher, life is not always easy, but if you can come in and see these little bright faces smiling at you, and you just feel like a rock star.”

Safford said when she sees her students out in public, their reaction to her makes her feel famous.

She has some advice for the young, bright students.

“Just work your hardest because to succeed in life, it does take hard work,” she said.