TAMPA, Fla. — Each year, the class of Leadership Hillsborough is tasked with a project that involves giving back to the community.

This year, 25 diverse leaders from several organizations raised funds to create a space for students at Wimauma Elementary School.

Diana Walker is part of Leadership Hillsborough Class of 2023. She says they choose Wimauma Elementary because they saw how much of an impact they could have in helping create a space where the minds of children could grow.

“We forget about these small communities that have been, I think, part of the backbone of our community, and we forget about our migrant workers, our Hispanic community, our children, so being able to come back and impact, I think, everyone should take the time or day where they can come and do something for the community,“ said Walker.

This is the first space of its kind created for the school — a space where children can connect while outside of the classroom.

Stephanie Jacks, who teaches a lot of students, said her focus is helping them understand that math takes a lot of practice and patience.

“Since I struggled as a kid, I feel like I can communicate that to children,” said Jacks.

As a first-year teacher, she stresses the importance of math and how to overcome the challenges that come with the subject.

Jacks says being confined in a classroom can subtract from a student’s experience and impact learning ability. It’s why she believes there needs to be a different equation.

“Our class sizes are getting larger, and we don’t really have a lot of space for them, so we need to expand in creative ways,“ she said.

Ways that are taking children from inside the classroom outside to nature. According to Child Mind Institute, creating a space for children to learn outdoors helps to promote creativity and reduce stress and fatigue.

“We needed a place that was flat that all kids could have access to, and if you see over here, we don’t really have very many. This wouldn’t be conducive, there’s some pits here for retaining water,” said Jacks.

Thanks to the help of Leadership Hillsborough, a garden was created, with the helping hands of the students.

“These rocks were painted by our kindergarteners, and they’re special because when kids pass by, they can find their rock and they feel a sense of pride,“ said Jacks.

With the school located in a rural community, Jacks says it can sometimes feel like they’re isolated. But organizations like Leadership Hillsborough are helping change that with this garden.

“We are 88 percent Hispanic. We gave just under 600 kids, we are a diamond in the rough and we are hidden gem, I fully believe that in my heart.”

This space means so much because Jacks says it’s a place where teachers like her can grow the minds of generations of children to come.