Being a servant to others has always been a guiding principle for National Board Certified Teacher, Diane Hernandez. Her seriously ill younger brother was the first beneficiary of her care. Later, she extended that care to address the needs of other children in her neighborhood.

For Ms. Hernandez, the role of teacher aligns comfortably with the description of servant. Students of all backgrounds and nationalities find a home in her classroom. In addition, over the years, visiting students from more than a dozen countries have found a literal home in Ms. Hernandez’ house during their stay in America.

For Ms. Hernandez, the idea of “home” is much more than a physical place. It is a place to feel welcome and secure. A place where people and their ideas are valued. In her English classes, Ms. Hernandez’ students learn to identify and express their feelings and emotions. They learn the power of the written word for sharing feelings and for exciting the emotions of others. For eighteen years, Mrs. Hernandez has made her class a nurturing place wherein students can begin a journey of genuine self-discovery.

Ms. Hernandez appreciates Florida Virtual School as an innovative learning technology built on a balanced curriculum and pedagogy. Her earlier work as a live, on-air television teacher on WLRN-TV in Miami, Florida is another example of her enthusiasm for innovative approaches to instruction.

Ms. Hernandez earned her BA in English from Florida International University, and her Pre-Liberal Arts Associates degree from Miami Dade Community College.