ORLANDO, Fla. — Several family members inspired Maria Duclerc to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an educator. 

Duclerc leads her kindergarten students in a song, and dance to get the day started off right. She says it’s all about building a strong foundation.

“I want them to become successful leaders. I want them to become successful readers,” she said.

Coming from a family of teachers, she grew up in Puerto Rico, always hoping to work as an educator.

“I went there to a private school and then came back a teacher four years after I graduated from high school. I came back and the funny thing was the teachers that used to be my teachers now turned into my colleagues,” she said.

That was her first job as a teacher before she moved to Florida.

“I love being a teacher. I love how every day I can make their day and make them smile and help them be successful.”

She says there is something really special about teaching students this age.

“I love when my students come in maybe only knowing a few letters and sounds and then I can see them grow throughout the year doing dancing, doing songs, doing games and they love those kinds of activities where they can feel like they’re playing but they’re actually learning,” she said.

“As you see them grow throughout the year, it fills my heart because I helped them get there, so it’s very satisfying and makes me happy. I want them to be successful in the future,” she added.