TAMPA, Fla. — For nearly 40 years, this week’s A+ Teacher has been educating kids in Hillsborough County.

Her passion runs deep — it was back in middle school when she realized that teaching was her calling.

And all these years later, she has never considered doing anything else. Many of her former theatre students now have professional careers on broadway and in film and television.

But it’s not just about acting — she’s teaching all of her students the strategies for success.

Even during rehearsals, Alonso High School students shine on stage with confidence.

“It’s an original musical that our students are workshopping, so it’s never been done before, and everything that we’re doing we’re actually creating for the very first time, so it’s really an exciting project for our students to work on,” said Alonso High School Theatre Director Lisa Vorreiter.

They feel her passion every step of the way.

Vorreiter is a master teacher. Her incredible energy and extraordinary work ethic have kept her in the classroom for 36 years.

“I’m very fortunate to have an incredibly supportive husband who puts up with my long, crazy hours and all of the activities that we do here. I would encourage somebody, if you feel passionate about it, there’s nothing better than seeing a student blossom,” Vorreiter said.

Putting on beautiful, award-winning shows is only part of her gift. She’s teaching all of her students critical skills for real world success.

“The skills that they learn, they can take into any profession that they want to do like time management, discipline, learning to work in a group and learning how to communicate with other people, how to not be afraid to stand in front of a group of people, or even just one person and communicate their ideas. The ability to be creative and to express themselves creatively and intelligently. Those are all things they learn through doing theatre,” Vorreiter said.

And building strong relationships — beyond rehearsals.

This A+ Teacher works year-round — she even hosts summer enrichment trips to New York City.

“The students get to do workshops with New York professionals, and we also get to see broadway shows while we are there. Last year, we had five workshops, and saw five shows. It was amazing!” Vorreiter said.

Alonso High School Principal James Harris sees how passionate Vorreiter is about the theatre program.

“She absolutely loves the theatre program, but even more than that, she loves her students. She loves trying to provide her students with all sorts of different opportunities to be able to express themselves, both here at school, but then also on these various trips they get to go on,” Harris said.

Their next summer trip is to Scotland, for the Edinburgh Fringe Film Festival, which is the largest performing arts festival in the world. Only 48 high schools throughout all of North America are invited.