CORAL GABLES, Fla. – As Miami-Dade County public school students prepare to return to the classroom, teachers are hard at work transforming their learning spaces into vibrant and engaging environments.
The goal: To inspire and motivate students from day one.
Christy Padron, a fourth-grade teacher at George Washington Carver Elementary School in Coral Gables, is among those leading the charge.
“It’s going to be a great year; it’s going to be super exciting,” Padron said.
Padron told Local 10 she has big plans to keep her students captivated, with her classroom environment changing regularly to maintain their interest.
“The class looks like this right now, but tomorrow it will look like a jungle; the other day, it will look like a café,” she said. “I really try to motivate the kids with different activities.”
Fifth-grade teacher Adriana Perez, who has been teaching for over 15 years, echoed Padron’s sentiment, though she admitted there’s always a hint of nervousness as the school year begins.
“Teaching is a job where you teach from the heart. You work from the heart,” Perez said.
The teachers at George Washington Carver Elementary said they are not just focused on creating fun and visually stimulating spaces; they’re also committed to fostering an environment of hard work and high expectations.
Perez shared a clear message for her students: “We are going to have the best time in here. I’m going to expect a lot from you, but I have faith in you.”
As students return to school, these educators are determined to bring energy and joy into their classrooms, ensuring that learning is both enjoyable and effective.
Ms. Moran’s fourth-grade classroom at South Miami K-8 is buzzing with final preparations as she gets ready to welcome her new students. This marks her eighth year of teaching.
“You want to make sure it’s welcoming and buzzing with excitement,” Moran said. “You want to make sure they’re going to come in and enjoy being present in this classroom throughout the year with you.”
“What are you most excited about?” a South Miami student was asked by Local 10′s Saira Anwar.
“Seeing my teacher and my friends,” the student replied.
“The rush of getting the uniforms, the shoes, the supplies—I have one in fourth and one in fifth, and it was just crazy,” said parent Lissette Malagon.
For those dealing with first-day jitters, Moran offered some advice.
“Go to sleep early, get here early, and trust us when you’re coming in,” she said. “We’re here to help you; we’re here to help them.”
Teachers said if you’re not a student or a parent, be prepared for the first day of school.
The district is reminding drivers that a new camera system will issue fines for failing to stop for a school bus with the stop arm activated. Additionally, multiple campuses have activated cameras to catch drivers who speed through school zones.
Click here to read more of Local 10′s Back-to-School stories.