Each month, iParenting.com spotlights a teacher who inspires and moves us, who embodies the qualities that we all admire in a person, a man or woman and a teacher. Above all, the Teacher of the Month is dedicated to his or her students. Rich or poor, famous or not, he or she shines as an example of what teaching is all about.

Our choice for October is Sarah Lucca, elementary teacher at New Prague Primary School in New Prague, Minn.!

One of the most challenging times of her life was when Sarah Lucca's best male friend committed suicide in high school. Only 19 years old, she was devastated, even angry, for a long time. But she decided to go on living her life and focused on school, where she studied to become a teacher because she loves being around children.

Lucca still sends her deceased friend's parents a Christmas card each year. This past summer, Lucca got married, and members of his family were special guests at her wedding. This type of kindness and compassion that she harbors in her personal life also carries over into her life as a teacher.

"Sarah is a very compassionate, understanding and flexible person," says Pat Pribyl, principal at New Prague Primary School in New Prague, Minn. "Nothing seems to rattle her, and she has these inner traits where she is so warm and kind."

You're Pretty
For the past six years, Lucca has been a teacher at New Prague Primary School. She taught kindergarten until last year when she looped to first grade with her students. "I love teaching because I enjoy being around children," says Lucca. "They inspire me to be a better teacher and person. I love how honest and excited about learning young children are. They aren't afraid to tell you what they think of something."

It's also a nice perk when they tell you, "You're pretty," she says.

"Sarah is an amazing teacher," says Suzy Feine, a mother of two and one of Lucca's school parents. "Her passion for teaching and for small children is so evident. My son was a shy 6-year-old when he started kindergarten with her. He looped with her to first grade and during those two years completely transformed into an intelligent, compassionate and caring young man who was no longer shy."

For Lucca, her favorite part of the school day is in the morning immediately after the children arrive. It is their special time to talk about the morning message and calendar, and she sings a fun song or plays a game with the children to get the day off to a good start. "I think the one thing that I see about her all the time is she is just so happy to be here," says Pribyl. "She is a happy person and that permeates throughout the building."

This summer when Lucca got married, some of her parents and students put on a wedding shower for her. "It really did a number on her," says Pribyl. "She was crying and all that stuff."

Awesome Attitude
Pribyl insists one of Lucca's strengths as a teacher is her tremendous attitude, and that is what makes her a perfect fit at the school. "Everyday she starts with that awesome attitude, and she keeps that attitude about everything," he says. "She has the ability to pull kids right in there, and I'm very impressed with that."

When observing Lucca in class, Prinbyl says she interacts so well with the kids because she's always happy and vibrant – and she's intelligent. "She sees a lot of stuff that the average person wouldn't pick up, like she knows how certain kids are feeling by just being around them in the classroom," he says.

Feine agrees and says Lucca has a way of working with any type of child. She realizes their strengths and weaknesses and builds them up and instills in them a love of learning.

Hundreds of Hugs
Many students come to school struggling with a variety of things like divorce, social issues and parents who don't help their children with anything at home. Seeing this and dealing with it is a fact of being a teacher. Lucca tries her best to give those children a hug whenever they want one and to let them know that she truly cares about them.

Her school social worker has helped her learn many ways to incorporate activities that promote appropriate social skills to get their mind off things, and she says communication is vital as well. "I try to communicate with parents and can only hope they are receptive to it," says Lucca.

"As a parent, I was always welcome and encouraged to attend the classroom," says Feine. "She encouraged all parents to be a big part of their child's education."

Cool Climate
According to both Pribyl and Lucca, the climate at New Prague Primary School is extremely positive and upbeat, because everyone is happy to be there, pleasant to work with and very caring. When the new secretary lost her dad, she was overwhelmed by the kindness shown to her after only being there a short time. "She became part of the family," says Pribyl. "You are adopted the minute you walk in here to work."

Lucca is the same way, he says, and is just a little bit more special for whatever reason. As soon as he sees her during the day, she wants to know how his family is and how things are going. She keeps tabs on everyone, parents and students, because she genuinely cares, he says.

Lucca says she loves teaching at New Prague because of the caring and knowledgeable staff and that they are truly a school family. New Prague is close enough to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis to enjoy its many recreational opportunities, but far enough away to have a small town atmosphere.

Blessed
Lucca says she is constantly learning and changing as she grows as an educator, and she feels she is very approachable and honest. She tells her families to call her at home anytime they feel necessary. She hopes that families understand that she wants their child's first years of school to be educational, positive and fun, just like they do.

A sign of a great teacher is when your child is not excited to move up to the next grade, says Feine. After having Sarah as a teacher for two years, her son was not ready to move on to second grade without her.

"I strive daily to be the best teacher I can be, as do most teachers," says Lucca. "It is a wonderful feeling to have parents feel good about their child being in my classroom. I am very blessed!"

Lucca is not a mom yet, but hopes to be in the near future. She hopes her children learn empathy and compassion. She plans to set up boundaries and hopes she is firm and fair with them. "I especially want my own children to know they are loved and that they can do anything they set their minds to," says Lucca. "I guess all I want is for them to be happy."

Want to see more?

• The Twin Cities of Minnesota/St. Paul
• Get Involved! It's Worth It: Building a Strong Relationship With Your Child's School
• Tools for School: Getting Your Child Ready for Kindergarten
• Meet our Mom of the Month here!
• Meet our Dad of the Month here!