November 2025 – At José Antonio Echeverría Elementary School, where the joyful chatter of children and the scratching of pencils on paper mark the symphony of the day, teacher Enoemy Santos Yera patiently builds the future, like a goldsmith.
With more than a quarter of a century dedicated to early childhood education, this teacher doesn’t limit herself to teaching letters and numbers; she sows dreams, gently disciplines, and cultivates curiosity in those just beginning their school life.
Recipient of the Rafael María de Mendive Medal, which recognizes her dedication to teaching, Enoemy is a pillar of education in Florida. Her former students, now adults, still recall how she guided their hands to hold their first pencil or how she encouraged them to generously share their toys.
“She doesn’t just instruct; she embraces,” says Lisandra Barcia, the mother of a former student, standing in front of the classroom adorned with children’s drawings. According to her colleagues, her method is a delicate balance between infinite patience and a well-understood pedagogical rigor.
“She has the gift of turning the everyday into a lesson: a flower in the garden becomes a science class, and a simple story, a reflection on ethics,” explains Damaris Endre, the center’s director.
But beyond accolades, her legacy is measured in everyday gestures: the hug that restores confidence to a shy child, the messages of gratitude from entire families, the unanimous respect of those who share her vocation.
Enoemy embodies the essence of primary education: love exercised with responsibility. Back in the classroom, the teacher faces the challenges of modern education with the same conviction, maintaining her classroom as a haven of warmth and creativity.
When asked about the secret behind such a fruitful career, she smiles and affirms that “Each child is a universe. You just need to know how to listen in order to teach.”
A simple yet profoundly transformative philosophy that has made its name synonymous with educational excellence in Florida.
