SPRING HILL, Fla. — It's a challenge for teachers all over the country.

Getting kids interested interested in STEM - science, technology, engineering and math. 

This week's A+ Teacher Jennifer Soccorso is an educator who not only took on the challenge but won. 

"It's cool to be a scientist," said Soccorso, a middle school teacher at Fox Chapel Middle School in Spring Hill.  "It's cool to love math. It's cool to love science."

Her excitement easily rubs off on her students. 

The sign outside her classroom says it all: "Soccorso's Sweet Science" 

With more than 20 years in the classroom, she is known as the fun teacher. 

"She makes us feel really comfortable," said Maiah Griffin, a 6th grader. "She's basically part of our family."

And that is Soccorso's goal - a family environment in her classroom to make her students feel at home. 

"When they come in, they know that I love them," said Soccorso, who is from the Spring Hill area. "Every day is fresh and new and that means if they’ve had a rough spot before, if they’ve come in from a really bad period, they know we’re fresh and we’re a family and you have to be able to work with everybody in our groups, and we’re a family, we’re a team. 

"We learn how to study, and they’re doing well. Just surviving middle school is so hard and they’re in 6th grade, very awkward for them and they need to have a safe spot." 

Even pet therapy is part of Soccorso's classroom.

The kids take care of the classroom animals, which she says help keep them relaxed and ready to learn.

"I want everyone to leave my room, at least learning one new thing each day," she said "And If I've done that, then I've had a great day."