CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. — Not everyone has what it takes to teach.

But for the many that do, it is in their blood.

And that’s true for longtime Hernando Elementary Kindergarten teacher Theresa Manning.

What You Need To Know

"I really do feel with everything going on now with the coronavirus that they need stability,” Manning said. “They need consistency, and more than anything they need love, and I try to show love and kindness and respect in our room every day."

For nearly 40 years, Manning has displayed that love and kindness and respect for her little ones in her classrooms.

"I've never taught anywhere else,” Manning said. “And that's all I ever wanted to be since I was 7-years old. I just always wanted to be a teacher. I just have have it in my heart that desire to help children and to love children, really I just love them. I love to see how they learn. I love to see their personalities."

Her teaching career started at age 21, right out of Florida State University.

After 38 years, Manning retired but her love for children called her back to the classroom this year.

"So I've taught them all and with each grade, I've learned so much about children, 5 up to 12 year olds, and the love I have for children and my desire to see children succeed is what keeps me going,” Manning said. “And it's not just succeeding with being able to have high grades, it could be succeeding as liking themselves, succeeding as learning a new skill."