TAMPA, Fla. — At just 9 years old, this week’s A+ Teacher knew teaching would be her profession.

Ida Shuler’s love and compassion are celebrated in her 5th grade classroom at Potter Elementary.

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And her generosity is uplifting hundreds of students at home, especially during the recent holidays.

“Just seeing their smiles, and the hugs in the morning,” Shuler said. “This is a classroom. We are a family, but building that rapport is really what the solid foundation is for having the kids work hard for me.”

And Shuler works just as hard for them – raising the bar in every way.

They don’t just use laptops in her class. Shuler bought a $4,000 smart board for the kids with her own money and donations.

“Ms. Shuler does an excellent job of raising academics for students by rigorous engaging lessons,” said Potter Elementary Principal Sharon Waite. “But also leading with love. She builds great relationships with all students, staff and parents."

She even launched a mobile classroom for struggling students at the start of the pandemic.

But her love reaches far beyond the books.

Every Christmas for nearly 10 years, she’s hosted a bike drive and donated hundreds of bikes and scooters to kids on campus.

“My house burned down on Christmas Day,’ Shuler explained. “And then after my house burned down on Christmas Day, February 1993, my mother was in the first World Trade Center bombing, so not only did we not have a Christmas, but then we didn’t have a home to come to, and then my mom lost her job.

“So there was a fire station that recreated a Christmas for us in March. It kind of looked like that scene from Home Alone when they had all the presents.”

Now it’s her turn.

She’s not just saving Christmas, she’s sowing the seeds for academic success.