TAMPA, Fla. — Crestwood Elementary School's Karmarie Rivera teaches in a dual-language classroom where her first-grade students learn in English and Spanish.

Those around her say Rivera goes above and beyond to ensure her students' success.

“She is so giving to her students and has a big, big heart for them, and loves them just like she would her own children," Crestwood Principal Diane Sanchez said.

Rivera said she loves watching her students work together and help one another.

“To see them switching from one language to another one, helping each other, it’s very important for me," she said. 

Rivera, who started teaching three years ago, said her current job has always been her passion, but her first career was in nursing. She said things changed when her son was struggling in school and she decided to become an educator. 

“I decided to be that person to advocate for the students and help students like my son," Rivera said.

Rivera moved to the United States from Puerto Rico 10 years ago and said her own experience learning English has been helpful while teaching her students a second language. 

“Being able to help them in their native language, and in this language, and they start learning and growing and start reading," she said. "It’s very satisfying."

Rivera said she has created a family environment in her classroom, where she builds strong relationships with her students.

She’s even there for them after they leave her classroom — before the school day begins, she helps a group of students who are now in second grade. She said it’s all part of her mission to help them be successful. 

“To help them go toward their dream, that’s the only thing that I want," Rivera said. "And it’s like I say to them every single morning, I believe in them, and they have to believe in those words and keep working hard."