WIMAUMA, Fla. — Few lessons are as important as learning to feel confident in who you are.

Cesia Simonsen holds that philosophy close to heart as she teaches her students at Reddick Elementary to feel proud of their culture, especially during Hispanic Heritage Month.

Thanks to the school's dual language program, Simonsen is able to spend time in the classroom teaching students to feel confident and successful no matter what language they want to speak.

"You’re learning both languages at the same time," explained Simonsen. "The benefit of that is when you’re learning Spanish, which is your native language, then when you do learn English, finally you’re getting into the rhythm of it. They’re making that strong connection in their brain where they say, ‘Oh wait, I already learned that in Spanish.'"

For her, this mission is personal. Simonsen came to the United States from Colombia when she was just a little girl. She learned English in school and Spanish at home from her own parents.

"They didn’t want me to miss out on my culture," she said. "So when I teach my students that as well, I feel so much pride in myself because I’m that minority teacher who grew up with no minority teachers to look up to, and I’m that for them."

Before long, Simonsen was determined to teach others the same lesson her parents taught her.

"Stay on that path. Always remember your roots, where you come from. Don’t be embarrassed. Don’t be shy to show who you really are," Simonsen said. "That’s what makes you you, and we’re all different."