{"id":72611,"date":"2026-01-29T07:53:52","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T13:53:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trta.org\/?p=72611"},"modified":"2026-01-29T11:32:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T17:32:11","slug":"the-heart-of-a-teacher-inspiring-growth-laughter-and-lifelong-learning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trta.org\/es\/the-heart-of-a-teacher-inspiring-growth-laughter-and-lifelong-learning\/","title":{"rendered":"The Heart of a Teacher: Inspiring Growth, Laughter, and Lifelong Learning"},"content":{"rendered":"

For Ligia Floyd, who teaches English at Walsh Middle School in Round Rock, Texas, teaching has always been more than a profession\u2014it\u2019s a calling rooted in curiosity, connection, and joy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always loved learning, sharing ideas, and connecting with people,\u201d she says. \u201cThe classroom felt like the perfect place for all of that to come together.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was never one defining \u201caha\u201d moment that led her to teaching, but rather a series of small ones\u2014the same lightbulb moments she now witnesses in her students every day. Over time, her \u201cwhy\u201d has evolved from simply wanting to teach lessons to wanting to learn alongside<\/em> her students.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want them to walk out of my classroom feeling that learning is something we do together, not something that\u2019s done to them,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n

Her classroom is built on laughter, curiosity, and belonging. Every student is encouraged to take pride in their progress and to see mistakes as opportunities for growth. \u201cWe celebrate small wins, embrace mistakes, and find joy in the process,\u201d she says. \u201cOne of my favorite moments was watching a student who once said, \u2018I\u2019m not a reader,\u2019 get completely hooked on a book and beg to borrow the sequel. That\u2019s the kind of magic that keeps me going.\u201d<\/p>\n

Like all teachers, she\u2019s faced challenges\u2014balancing expectations, meeting diverse needs, and staying energized\u2014but she credits those experiences with helping her grow both personally and professionally. \u201cTeaching has made me more flexible, more compassionate, and more creative,\u201d she shares. \u201cEvery day is a new opportunity to make an impact, and I try to find humor in the chaos\u2014because there\u2019s plenty of it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Her commitment to making a difference extends far beyond her classroom walls. Each year, she and her students volunteer in their community\u2014sorting and organizing donations at the Round Rock Serving Center, packing backpacks of nutritious meals for children in need through Backpack Friends, and supporting the Gold Out Project to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery year, we volunteer someplace new,\u201d she says proudly. \u201cIt\u2019s one of my favorite ways to show students what service and compassion look like in action.\u201d<\/p>\n

Among her many recognitions, one stands out as especially meaningful\u2014the Fierce Faculty Award, an honor given by students to a teacher who has made a lasting impact. \u201cBeing nominated by my students reminded me why I come in to teach these kiddos each day,\u201d she reflects. \u201cIt\u2019s a reminder of the difference I can make and the relationships that matter most.\u201d<\/p>\n

Outside of the classroom, she finds joy in coaching Cheer and mentoring young athletes. \u201cWhat I enjoy most is having fun with my cheerleaders,\u201d she says. \u201cThey all bring different personalities and skills to the squad. They keep me laughing, and I love having fun alongside them.\u201d<\/p>\n

To new teachers, her message is simple but powerful: \u201cDon\u2019t aim for perfection\u2014aim for connection.\u201d<\/em> She believes that while students may not remember every lesson plan, they will always remember how their teachers made them feel.<\/p>\n

\u201cTeaching has power\u2014it shapes how the next generation sees themselves and the world,\u201d she says. \u201cThat\u2019s a responsibility I hold with both pride and joy.\u201d<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For Ligia Floyd, who teaches English at Walsh Middle School in Round Rock, Texas, teaching has always been more than a profession\u2014it\u2019s a calling rooted in curiosity, connection, and joy. \u201cI\u2019ve always loved learning, sharing ideas, and connecting with people,\u201d she says. \u201cThe classroom felt like the perfect place for all of that to come […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":72616,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[640],"tags":[641],"class_list":["post-72611","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-champion","tag-champion"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Heart of a Teacher: Inspiring Growth, Laughter, and Lifelong Learning - Texas Retired Teachers Association<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/trta.org\/es\/the-heart-of-a-teacher-inspiring-growth-laughter-and-lifelong-learning\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"es_ES\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Heart of a Teacher: Inspiring Growth, Laughter, and Lifelong Learning - 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