HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. — We're kick-starting the new year with a new segment!

It's called A+ Teachers and highlights Tampa Bay’s best educators, nominated by their own students.

Our first A+ Teacher is Jennifer Dodson in Hernando County.

Dodson has been teaching at Central High School for 21 years.

"I love working with young people," she said. "There's so much potential and things are still kind of new and the joy of learning."

When Spectrum Bay News 9 visited, it was just like any other day for Dodson. She was asked to go to the media center.

"I had heard a little rumor they were trying to do a surprise for one of our administrators, so I figured it was his birthday. So I thought that was cool," she said.

That's when Dodson realized she was the one being celebrated.

"It was just amazing," she said. "Just really, really amazing. It’s such an honor to be picked."

Her students said it's no surprise Dodson was recognized in this way.

"She makes learning very interactive, very fun, she plans out the lessons very well, so it's easy to stay engaged," one student said.

Administrators call her a role model for the entire school.

Dodson hopes to continue to instill the love of learning in her students for many more years to come.