"My father was in the Army and I came to the United States when I was five years old," said Darlene Hammaker-DeRusha, known to her students as Miss Hammaker. "I grew up in Ohio, but moved to Corpus Christi, Texas when I was 10."

Hammaker, 36, attended DelMar Community College in Texas for two years, graduating in 1983, then completed her undergraduate education at Florida International University. She later took her Master's Degree in Education from Barry University and says she plans to return to Barry soon to study for her doctorate degree.

Hammaker, who specializes in the language arts curriculum ­ reading, spelling, English, writing and comprehension ­ began teaching in the Dade County School System in 1986. She first joined the staff at Riverside Elementary for three years, then moved to Jane S. Roberts for seven years and then to Pinecrest Elementary, where she is in her fourth year.

Do you like Pinecrest, she was asked?

"Oh, I love Pinecrest,' she gushed. "Who wouldn't love Pinecrest? I think every teacher should have the experience of teaching at Pinecrest."

Selected Teacher of the Year by the school's faculty, Hammaker says she thinks most of her students like her.

"It depends on the student," she said. "If they are diligent students who follow my instructions and do what they are supposed to do, then yes. Generally, I am strict, but fair and there are a lot of rewards coming if they're doing what they are supposed to do. And, when they don't, of course, there are a lot of consequences. So, I would say that 90 percent are happy because they're doing what they are supposed to do."

Hammaker says her initial inclination was not to be an elementary school teacher.

"My first major was journalism," she admitted. "I wanted to be a writer. Actually, I wanted to travel."

Hammaker said she plans to continue her career in elementary education.

"I enjoy working with the younger kids and I enjoy doing all of the activities that we do here," she said.

A newlywed of only three months, Hammaker says she enjoys hanging out with her new husband. She also likes to read, dabble in art and putter around in her garden.