CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. — If you're able to open the hearts and minds of students, you can teach them almost anything.

And this week's A+ Teacher is doing just that.

Hannah Healey uses her unique background to get her students and people from all over, listening and learning.

Healey is a marine biologist and underwater researcher turned teacher.

"I've worked in dolphin research in Mississippi," said Healey, a science teacher at Academy of Environmental Science. "I've worked the killer whale naturalist thing in Washington and then I worked on commercial crab boats in Dutch Harbor, Alaska."

Healey's journey to the classroom featured years of adventures. 

"It's been a great way for me to connect with the kids," she said. "They see me as Ms. Healey the science teacher, but they also know I have the real world experience to back it up."

She easily turns theory into application in her classroom.

But just as important as teaching biology, ms. healey builds a connection with high school students and gets them ready to work in the real world.

It all begins with classroom etiquette and mutual respect.

"Every class period, no matter what it is, I stand at my front door and welcome my students into the my room. usually by name," she said. "So I'll be like, 'Oh, good morning Mackenzie, good morning Sarah, good morning Ethan,' And I've found just that intial connection recognizing them is something really special to them."

It's one of several "behavior management" techniques that has educators reaching out to her from all over the world.

"I'll get teachers from all over the world message me on YouTube or Instagram," Healey said. "They'll ask what's your trick and it's really cool. I'll have people from France message me, people from New Zealand, people from Florida who our an hour down the road from me, and we just have the opportunity to talk and collaborate."

Always a researcher, Healey studies and blogs about effective classroom management strategies.

She also has her own YouTube channel filled with hundreds of videos. she's billed as the "Blissful Biologist" on social media.  

"I think my number one goal with classes is to teach the kid how to be in a classroom and how to work," she said. "Goal number two is how do I make it fun? How do I engage with my kids."