MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. — It was humorist Mark Twain who said, "Find a job you enjoy doing, and you'll never have to work a day in your life."

It's certainly the case for Sarah Wiley, this week’s A+ Teacher.

She's getting her kindergartners ready to take on the world.

Even celebrations are teaching moments for the youngest on campus at Madeira Beach Fundamental School.

But being honored as an A+ Teacher was a sweet surprise, Wiley said.

"I love my job,” said Wiley, a Kindergarten teacher. “I couldn't imagine doing anything else than teaching kindergarten."

For Wiley, it's the most important job in the world. Her students are her family.

"The end of the year, every year, when you look at your students and they're not babies anymore,” she said reflecting on the past year. “They’re 1st graders, and to see how much progress they've made, and how much they've learned.

“They come in and some of them can't even write their name, and by the end of year, they're reading They're writing. They're so successful. That would be the moment when I say, this is why I'm a teacher."

She said it has been amazing to see their growth after the past year and all the obstacles to overcome. Long before the pandemic, year after year, she's focused on building strong relationships.

"I call all of my parents the first day of school,” Wiley said. “I let them know how their child's day was, ask if they have any questions they can think of. I kind of open the doors and say, 'Hey if you have any questions, let me know, I know this is your baby and I have them for the whole day, so please don't be afraid."

For six hours a day, she describes her room as a classroom community of love and support.

"There's definitely a turning point when you go, 'Oh the kids are with you, and they respect you, and they know I love them, and they love me, and we're part of a family."