Being a kindergartner is harder than it looks. We take for granted our ability to count and to regulate our emotions, but these are fundamental skills that many kindergartners have yet to acquire. In Ms. Maldonado's classroom, she does something truly special: not only does she provide a well-rounded kindergarten education, but she also teaches entirely in Spanish!

Eleven of her students are native Spanish speakers, while the other eleven have never been exposed to Spanish prior to showing up on the first day of school. Yet, only one month into the school year -- when I first met Ms. Maldonado and her students -- the class had already developed a smooth daily routine conducted almost entirely in Spanish.

Inspired by how Ms. Maldonado and her teaching assistant, Ms. Muñoz facilitate such a unique learning environment, I wanted to capture its success. These moments of joy, growth, and connection may seem effortless, but it takes a very special team to create an environment where every child feels supported and capable, regardless of their language background.