{"id":923,"date":"2026-05-23T06:03:54","date_gmt":"2026-05-23T06:03:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southfloridamovingguides.com\/?p=923"},"modified":"2026-05-23T06:03:54","modified_gmt":"2026-05-23T06:03:54","slug":"south-florida-teacher-honored-for-lessons-in-love-inside-and-outside-the-classroom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southfloridamovingguides.com\/?p=923","title":{"rendered":"South Florida teacher honored for lessons in love \u2014 inside and outside the classroom"},"content":{"rendered":"
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PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. \u2014 Most people can remember at least one teacher who made a lasting impact \u2014 the educator who encouraged them at just the right moment or pushed them to achieve more than they thought possible.<\/p>\n

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For students, families, and colleagues at Pembroke Pines Charter Elementary School, that teacher is Joyce Del Campo-Aguila.<\/p>\n

After receiving dozens of nominations from across the community, Local 10\u2019s Good News South Florida<\/i> selected Del Campo-Aguila as its first-ever Teacher of the Year, recognizing not only her decades of dedication in education, but also the extraordinary compassion she has shown beyond the classroom.<\/p>\n

The surprise announcement came during a school morning as Del Campo-Aguila prepared her fourth-grade students for testing.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Ms. Aguila,\u201d Local 10 Community Relations Director Mayte Padron said as she entered the classroom with a camera crew.<\/p>\n

Moments later, the longtime educator learned she had been chosen for the honor, surrounded by cheering colleagues and emotional hugs.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you got me good, babe!\u201d Del Campo-Aguila laughed after the surprise reveal.<\/p>\n

Del Campo-Aguila has spent more than 30 years serving students in South Florida. Over the course of her career, she has worked not only as a classroom teacher, but also as a principal and assistant principal before ultimately returning to teaching full time.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo think that the first year I started teaching, those kids are about 40 years old now,\u201d she said. \u201cSo I can be their grandkids\u2019 teacher, but it feels like every day is a new day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her peers describe her as both inspiring and endlessly giving.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s an inspiration. She\u2019s giving,\u201d one colleague said.<\/p>\n

But it was Del Campo-Aguila\u2019s actions outside the classroom that deeply moved the community member who nominated her: her husband, Orlando Aguila.<\/p>\n

The couple, who have been together since high school, have shared more than three decades of marriage.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a funny guy. He makes me laugh after 32 years,\u201d Del Campo-Aguila said.<\/p>\n

Last year, their bond was tested when Orlando was diagnosed with kidney disease. Without hesitation, Del Campo-Aguila stepped forward to donate one of her kidneys to save his life.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just wanted that done as soon as possible so his quality of life would improve right away \u2014 and our quality of life as a family,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

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Orlando calls his wife his \u201csuperwoman.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI call her my superwoman who gave me my super kidney,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Their children, Annabella and Aidan, say the selfless act demonstrated the depth of their mother\u2019s love.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fact that she did that just shows us so much love, for both of us, and for my dad,\u201d Annabella said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy dad would have done the same thing if it was the other way around,\u201d Aidan added. \u201cI am blessed that I have both of them in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

As part of the recognition, Publix Community Relations Manager Robyn Hankerson Printemps presented Del Campo-Aguila with a $1,000 Publix gift card and a celebratory cake.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou see the passion not only for her students but also for her family,\u201d Hankerson Printemps said during the presentation.<\/p>\n

For Del Campo-Aguila, however, the greatest reward appears to be the people whose lives she continues to touch \u2014 both in school and at home.<\/p>\n

This Mother\u2019s Day marked six months since the kidney transplant, and the Aguila family says they are especially looking forward to celebrating Father\u2019s Day together this year.<\/p>\n

And while Del Campo-Aguila has certainly earned high marks for altruism, she also gets recognition for athleticism: she has already completed two 5K races this year, placing in the top three of her age category in both events.<\/p>\n

For her students, her family, and her community, Del Campo-Aguila is more than a teacher \u2014 she\u2019s a lesson in compassion, resilience, and love.<\/p>\n