ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Sixteen years. 

That's how long Kaitie Alecci has been teaching 4th, 5th and 6th grade language arts.

“I love being around kids,” said Alecci, who teaches at Bay Point Elementary. “I love making a difference. And I love that every day is new and a challenge.”

Bay Point Elementary is a magnet school so the kids really want to be there.

“The biggest challenge is making things fun and interesting and new for them and getting them excited about learning.”

It was one of Alecci's teachers that sparked her interest in a career in education.

“Mr. Stotard comes to mind,” she said. “He's from Baltimore and one of my favorites. He pushed us and challenged us.”

That's something Alecci does now with her students. 

Among the statements from her students: “She’s nice.”  “She's understandable.” “She's respectful to me. we don't have to get no homework?”

Don't let them kid you. These 5th graders helped take Bay Point from a "D" school to a “B.”

“I went to their house to tell them and congratulate them on their 5’s on the FSA,” Alecci said.

“I got parental permission first,” she said. “They all kept it a secret from their kids so they made sure they answered the door. I surprised them with a balloon and a congratulations sign.”

School Principal Sarah Broom also got in with big time kudos.

“All of our students who received a five of any kind in reading, math, science - we went and danced on their lawn,” Broom said.

Then they danced the Floss.

It was the perfect prelude to presenting Ms. Alecci with her crystal apple A+ Teacher award.