Category: CNN Regional

By Jada Williams

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    TAMPA, Florida (WFTS) — Betty Coleman never set out to make history when she walked into the Tampa Fire Department in 1981. She was simply a secretary at the water department who happened to be in the right place at the right time when affirmative action mandates required the fire department to increase diversity in its ranks.

Coleman sat down with Tampa Bay 28 reporter Jada Williams to reflect on her groundbreaking career and the barriers she broke along the way.

“I was working at the water department, and they were doing the interview on my floor,” Coleman said. “I kept seeing people go inside this room, and the people didn’t come out. I teased her about what are you doing with those people? You’re kidnapping them because I don’t see them.”

The interviewer explained they were looking for women and Black candidates. Coleman decided to apply on a whim.

“I said, ‘Well, I’m Black and I’m a woman,'” Coleman said. “So she asked me to put in an application, and I did.”

That spontaneous decision led to Coleman becoming Tampa’s first African American female firefighter, joining just a couple of years after the department’s first two female firefighters. But at the time, she had no idea she was making history.

“It seemed like, back then, it was something that didn’t matter, you know, you just did a job,” Coleman said. “But now today, it’s very important to have that integration amongst people and jobs. But back then, no, I didn’t know I was making history.”

During the interview, Jada pulled out a 1995 Tampa Fire Rescue yearbook commemorating the department’s 100th anniversary. When Coleman saw the photos of herself and her colleagues, her face lit up.

“That brings back memories,” Coleman said, pointing to pictures of her time as a public education officer working with the department’s talking fire truck, “Little Red.”

Coleman’s 30-year career with Tampa Fire Rescue spanned multiple divisions. She started as a firefighter before moving to fire inspection, where she was awarded firefighter of the year in 1994. She later worked in fire investigation, personnel and prevention, and served as an Explorer advisor, training young people aged 14 to 21.

“Training the youth was the most fulfilling part,” Coleman said. “We started training the young people on the style of the fire department, so that they can get used to it, and that it wouldn’t shock them when they are hired. Many of them are on the job now because of that.”

Coleman also spent nearly a decade in public education, working with audiences of all ages and operating “Little Red,” a talking fire truck that amazed children during safety demonstrations.

The military-style structure of the fire department was initially shocking for Coleman, who came from a traditional office environment with regular lunch breaks and a 9-to-5 schedule.

“When the call bell rings, if you’re eating, and I’m one of those slow eaters, well, when the call bell rings, you have to get up and leave your food,” Coleman said. “It’s like, leave my spaghetti? I’m sorry, no.”

But she quickly adapted to the teamwork-focused environment, which she credits for helping her succeed without feeling like barriers existed because of her race or gender.

“For me, it was not a barrier,” Coleman said. “I was used to working with different people, different integration. I think I blended in quite well.”

Coleman eventually became the chief supervisor of fire inspection for existing buildings before retiring. She remained humble about her groundbreaking role until recently, when the Tampa City Council recognized her achievements.

“I thought I was going to come in and get a plaque and leave,” Coleman said. “I cried because you don’t think about what impact you’re giving other people until I heard them talking about what I done to them.”

Despite breaking barriers as Tampa’s first Black female firefighter, Coleman had no idea she was making history at the time.

Coleman’s daughter eventually started telling people about her mother’s groundbreaking role, much to Coleman’s embarrassment.

“In fact, it was my daughter that started telling everybody, everywhere we go, that this is the first Black female firefighter,” Coleman said. “And everybody goes whoa, and I’m like, they don’t need to know that. That’s no big deal.”

But it is a big deal to many people, including current Tampa Fire Chief Barbara Tripp, the first Black woman to serve in that position. When the City of Tampa honored Coleman for being a trailblazer, Chief Tripp delivered emotional remarks about Coleman’s impact on her own career.

“I had reached out to Coleman back in the day when I was having challenges as a female African American in this career,” Tripp said during the ceremony. “She gave me a lot of guidance and said, ‘This is what you worry about. This is what you don’t worry about.’ I have to thank you for that because I didn’t stop. I didn’t give up. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be here because you paved those roads for us.”

Coleman was moved by the recognition and the testimonials from colleagues about her influence on their lives and careers.

“On that day, I must admit, I was very shocked,” Coleman said. “It’s very nice, very surprising, and I’m glad [Councilman Luis Viera] did it.”

Now 15 years into retirement, Coleman’s total connection to Tampa Fire Rescue spans 45 years. Her picture hangs in the Tampa Firefighters Museum, where she recently discovered her place in history.

“Somebody had to tell me that they saw my picture in the museum,” Coleman said. “I came down here and saw it.”

She remained humble about her groundbreaking role until recently, when the Tampa City Council recognized her achievements.

“I thought I was going to come in and get a plaque and leave,” Coleman said. “I cried because you don’t think about what impact you’re giving other people until I heard them talking about what I done to them.”

Coleman credits her success to teamwork and faith, emphasizing that firefighting requires absolute trust and communication among crew members.

“At the fire department, everybody is a team,” Coleman said. “If you don’t realize that, you’re going to have problems, and that’s the last thing you need.”

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Stephanie Stahl, Casey Kuhn

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    PHILADELPHIA (KYW) — For a little boy who has a new heart after spending more than a year at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, American Heart Month, celebrated in February, has special meaning.

Kolin was born at CHOP with a heart defect and became a beloved patient at the cardiac center. Now he’s only there for brief visits after a life-saving transplant.

Kolin spent 530 days at CHOP being treated for complicated congenital heart defects. Nettle, a facility dog, was an important distraction and comfort for Kolin and his family during that time.

Kolin’s mom, Joy Hummer, said he faced a variety of difficult complications, and ultimately, he needed a heart transplant.

“There was a period of time that he wasn’t even eligible for a heart transplant because he was so sick,” Joy Hummer said. “And those were some of the hardest days of my life.”

Kolin ended up with a mechanical heart waiting for a transplant and was kept busy at the hospital until the new heart was found in October.

Three months after the transplant, his doctors are thrilled to see how well Kolin is doing.

“It’s just an incredibly heartwarming and validating thing to see,” Dr. Matthew O’Connor at CHOP said. “We were very optimistic for lots of good news for him in the future.”

After spending 18 months at the hospital, Kolin’s mom says visiting CHOP now is like being at her home away from home.

“You know, child life, the nurses, the staff, just become part of your family,” she said.

When Kolin was finally ready to leave the cardiac center, they had a parade to send him off.

Now adjusting to life with his new heart, Kolin is focused on school and his passion, cooking. He wants to be a chef when he grows up.

Kolin takes anti-rejection drugs to live with his new heart, and his mom says she’s eternally grateful to the donor family.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

KYW

By Stephanie Stahl, Casey Kuhn

Click here for updates on this story

    PHILADELPHIA (KYW) — For a little boy who has a new heart after spending more than a year at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, American Heart Month, celebrated in February, has special meaning.

Kolin was born at CHOP with a heart defect and became a beloved patient at the cardiac center. Now he’s only there for brief visits after a life-saving transplant.

Kolin spent 530 days at CHOP being treated for complicated congenital heart defects. Nettle, a facility dog, was an important distraction and comfort for Kolin and his family during that time.

Kolin’s mom, Joy Hummer, said he faced a variety of difficult complications, and ultimately, he needed a heart transplant.

“There was a period of time that he wasn’t even eligible for a heart transplant because he was so sick,” Joy Hummer said. “And those were some of the hardest days of my life.”

Kolin ended up with a mechanical heart waiting for a transplant and was kept busy at the hospital until the new heart was found in October.

Three months after the transplant, his doctors are thrilled to see how well Kolin is doing.

“It’s just an incredibly heartwarming and validating thing to see,” Dr. Matthew O’Connor at CHOP said. “We were very optimistic for lots of good news for him in the future.”

After spending 18 months at the hospital, Kolin’s mom says visiting CHOP now is like being at her home away from home.

“You know, child life, the nurses, the staff, just become part of your family,” she said.

When Kolin was finally ready to leave the cardiac center, they had a parade to send him off.

Now adjusting to life with his new heart, Kolin is focused on school and his passion, cooking. He wants to be a chef when he grows up.

Kolin takes anti-rejection drugs to live with his new heart, and his mom says she’s eternally grateful to the donor family.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Ted Scouten

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    MIRAMAR, Florida (WFOR) — A soggy, burned mess is left behind at this Miramar home in the 2800 block of Buttonwood Lane, after Hansy Auguste turned on his heat for just the second time in 35 years. His wife said she was cold.

Ttwo, three minutes later, boom, after the boom, she said, What is it? I said, I don’t know. And then I went outside, I looked, and I see the roof on fire,” he said.

Left behind was a gaping hole in the roof and fire, smoke and water damage around the house. This call is just one of many South Florida Fire Departments have been answering since temperatures dropped into the 30’s. Most of them are for a burning smell.

ll the departments in Broward County are experiencing that same thing, and it’s normal for us here in South Florida. We don’t turn our central heat on that much, and when we do, we’re not used to smelling that burning smell within our homes,” said Fort Lauderdale Fire Chief Steve Gollan. He recommends people test their heat from time to time.

“Turn the heat on for a few minutes, let it burn off that dust, make sure you’re working and it’s not popping any breakers. Everything’s good. And then you know you’re ready for the rest of the season next year,” he said.

Kathy Marshall hadn’t used the heat in her North Lauderdale home for 5 or 6 years.

“I got a phone call from my daughter that said, The heat’s not working,” Marshall said. Turns out it was broken.

She said the temperature in the house was uncomfortable.

“60…60, Its kind of hard to sleep with that. Unless you got 20 comforters,” she said.

She called a repair technician. In minutes he had it fixed.

“It was a little bit low on Freon, so I just put about like a half a pound to a pound of Freon in, and now that the temperature in there is rising, it’s coming out about 80 degrees, which is, which is perfect,” said Keilen Davidson from Coral Air.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Najahe Sherman

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    COCONUT GROVE, Florida (WFOR) — In honor of Black History Month, we’re highlighting Coconut Grove’s deep Bahamian roots through the life of a woman many call the Godmother of Coconut Grove, Thelma Gibson.

“I was born right here in Coconut Grove on December 17, 1926. So I just turned 99-years-old” Gibson said.

Ms. Thelma Gibson grew up on Charles Avenue before leaving home at just 17-years-old to attend nursing school. During World War II, a nationwide nursing shortage opened doors for women of color but not without resistance.

“The lady looked at me. She said, ‘You’re Thelma Anderson?’ I said, ‘In the flesh.’ And she said, ‘Anderson, I don’t think you can work in the operating room.'”

She was denied the job because of her race, but she refused to quit continuing to apply, eventually returning to Jackson Hospital, and later opening a clinic in Goulds that welcomed patients of color from across South Florida.

Her life of service extended beyond medicine. Her husband, Theodore Gibson, was a priest, civil rights leader, and tireless advocate for Coconut Grove’s Black community.

“Was it love at first sight?” asked CBS Miami.

“No, no, oh no indeed. Because he was older. Mamma said, ‘If he’s interested in you, you ought to know him and be interested in him.’ So, that’s how I ended up getting married to him. Once we got married, he just got more involved and of course I got more involved and when he died, I decided to start the Theodore Gibson Memorial Fund,” Gibson said.

Gibson retired from nursing in 1980, but her service never stopped. In 1984, she founded the Miami-Dade Women’s Chamber of Commerce intentionally inclusive from the start.

“We’re going to have a women’s chamber of commerce, and it’s not going to be just Black women. It’s going to be Black and White and Hispanic that’s how we started the Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Dade County.” said Gibson.

That spirit of inclusion still defines her legacy.

“She welcomed all of us from different islands, from different countries, from different looks. It didn’t matter what color you were or where you were from. She embraced you,” said Merline Barton, President and Co-founder of the Thelma Gibson Health Initiative.

“This is a part of my life story. I got up this morning and said I have to get dressed because someone is coming to interview me. I didn’t know if I would live long enough to have this interview. And I thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.” said Gibson.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

WFOR

By Najahe Sherman

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    COCONUT GROVE, Florida (WFOR) — In honor of Black History Month, we’re highlighting Coconut Grove’s deep Bahamian roots through the life of a woman many call the Godmother of Coconut Grove, Thelma Gibson.

“I was born right here in Coconut Grove on December 17, 1926. So I just turned 99-years-old” Gibson said.

Ms. Thelma Gibson grew up on Charles Avenue before leaving home at just 17-years-old to attend nursing school. During World War II, a nationwide nursing shortage opened doors for women of color but not without resistance.

“The lady looked at me. She said, ‘You’re Thelma Anderson?’ I said, ‘In the flesh.’ And she said, ‘Anderson, I don’t think you can work in the operating room.'”

She was denied the job because of her race, but she refused to quit continuing to apply, eventually returning to Jackson Hospital, and later opening a clinic in Goulds that welcomed patients of color from across South Florida.

Her life of service extended beyond medicine. Her husband, Theodore Gibson, was a priest, civil rights leader, and tireless advocate for Coconut Grove’s Black community.

“Was it love at first sight?” asked CBS Miami.

“No, no, oh no indeed. Because he was older. Mamma said, ‘If he’s interested in you, you ought to know him and be interested in him.’ So, that’s how I ended up getting married to him. Once we got married, he just got more involved and of course I got more involved and when he died, I decided to start the Theodore Gibson Memorial Fund,” Gibson said.

Gibson retired from nursing in 1980, but her service never stopped. In 1984, she founded the Miami-Dade Women’s Chamber of Commerce intentionally inclusive from the start.

“We’re going to have a women’s chamber of commerce, and it’s not going to be just Black women. It’s going to be Black and White and Hispanic that’s how we started the Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Dade County.” said Gibson.

That spirit of inclusion still defines her legacy.

“She welcomed all of us from different islands, from different countries, from different looks. It didn’t matter what color you were or where you were from. She embraced you,” said Merline Barton, President and Co-founder of the Thelma Gibson Health Initiative.

“This is a part of my life story. I got up this morning and said I have to get dressed because someone is coming to interview me. I didn’t know if I would live long enough to have this interview. And I thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.” said Gibson.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Abby Dodge, Sergio Candido

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    MIAMI (WFOR) — Cold-stunned iguanas falling from trees during South Florida’s recent cold snap ended up as an unexpected menu item: iguana pizza.

Local trapper Ryan Izquierdo kept a few of the cold-stunned reptiles and turned them into what he calls the “Florida Man Pizza,” topped with freshly harvested iguana meat thanks to his friends at North Palm Beach pizza restaurant Bucks Coal Fired.

“We were able to do good work and remove the iguanas and educate people, and it was just a great time,” Izquierdo said. “The last 48 hours have been one to look back on forever for sure.”

The cold snap triggered a well-known phenomenon in South Florida, with iguanas dropping from trees as temperatures plunged. Residents spent Sunday and Monday collecting them from yards and parks, and some handed them over to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) during its brief collection period.

While the iguanas provided unexpected entertainment, and even a meal, tourists escaping frigid northern temperatures aren’t getting the warm beach days they hoped for.

The unusually cold weather kept many visitors out of the water on Hollywood Beach this week.

“Well, I brought my swimsuit with me, but never got it out of the suitcase,” said Al Beckman, who is visiting from out of state.

Instead, he and other tourists have turned to nearby bars and restaurants.

“We just have to get up and walk around, maybe get a beverage or two,” he said.”

Travelers from Michigan said leaving their zero-degree temperatures only to find Floridians bundled up was a surprise.

“The puffy coat, the gloves, the iguana falling from trees, it’s crazy,” Jody Dougherty said.

Despite the cold, some visitors had advice for locals waiting for warmer days.

“I think they should come to Michigan and hang out in the real winter and then appreciate Florida weather,” Dougherty said.

While beachgoers can wait out the cold, South Florida farmers said the impact has been far more serious.

Kern Carpenter Farms in Homestead lost around 20% of its tomato crop during the Arctic blast. Now, frost is the next concern.

“The wind died and it got cold really fast,” said farmer Kern Carpenter. “We did the best we could, but they still got burnt.”

Farmers said losses to tomatoes, green beans and other local crops could lead to higher grocery store prices in the coming weeks.

For anyone considering trapping iguanas now, the FWC’s official collection period has ended, leaving residents responsible for handling them humanely, or cooking them on their own.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

WFOR

By Abby Dodge, Sergio Candido

Click here for updates on this story

    MIAMI (WFOR) — Cold-stunned iguanas falling from trees during South Florida’s recent cold snap ended up as an unexpected menu item: iguana pizza.

Local trapper Ryan Izquierdo kept a few of the cold-stunned reptiles and turned them into what he calls the “Florida Man Pizza,” topped with freshly harvested iguana meat thanks to his friends at North Palm Beach pizza restaurant Bucks Coal Fired.

“We were able to do good work and remove the iguanas and educate people, and it was just a great time,” Izquierdo said. “The last 48 hours have been one to look back on forever for sure.”

The cold snap triggered a well-known phenomenon in South Florida, with iguanas dropping from trees as temperatures plunged. Residents spent Sunday and Monday collecting them from yards and parks, and some handed them over to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) during its brief collection period.

While the iguanas provided unexpected entertainment, and even a meal, tourists escaping frigid northern temperatures aren’t getting the warm beach days they hoped for.

The unusually cold weather kept many visitors out of the water on Hollywood Beach this week.

“Well, I brought my swimsuit with me, but never got it out of the suitcase,” said Al Beckman, who is visiting from out of state.

Instead, he and other tourists have turned to nearby bars and restaurants.

“We just have to get up and walk around, maybe get a beverage or two,” he said.”

Travelers from Michigan said leaving their zero-degree temperatures only to find Floridians bundled up was a surprise.

“The puffy coat, the gloves, the iguana falling from trees, it’s crazy,” Jody Dougherty said.

Despite the cold, some visitors had advice for locals waiting for warmer days.

“I think they should come to Michigan and hang out in the real winter and then appreciate Florida weather,” Dougherty said.

While beachgoers can wait out the cold, South Florida farmers said the impact has been far more serious.

Kern Carpenter Farms in Homestead lost around 20% of its tomato crop during the Arctic blast. Now, frost is the next concern.

“The wind died and it got cold really fast,” said farmer Kern Carpenter. “We did the best we could, but they still got burnt.”

Farmers said losses to tomatoes, green beans and other local crops could lead to higher grocery store prices in the coming weeks.

For anyone considering trapping iguanas now, the FWC’s official collection period has ended, leaving residents responsible for handling them humanely, or cooking them on their own.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Kaley Fedko

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    ATLANTA (WUPA) — An Atlanta attorney is taking his legal knowledge out of the office and onto the Beltline with a simple sign: “Ask a Lawyer.”

It’s a grassroots approach to helping people — and it’s drawing attention both in person and online.

Cody Randall has built a sizable following on social media, but his Beltline setup is intentionally low-key. Accompanied by his dog, Ruby, Randall puts out a folding chair, posts his sign and waits for people to approach with questions.

“I’m not soliciting. I’m not barking. I’m not hawking,” Randall said. “I literally am just a guy with a sign and a dog.”

Randall is a licensed, tenured attorney who also works in private practice. He said he never discusses his day job while on the Beltline and is not there to sell legal services.

“I think the definition of a hobby is labor you would do without compensation,” Randall said. “I like helping people. I became an attorney to help people. I’ve been fortunate enough in my career to have success, so I have the free time and ability to do things like this.”

Randall began the Beltline meetups after the pandemic, recording many of the interactions and posting them online under the handle @atlcody.

He said the conversations benefit not only the people who stop to talk, but also the thousands who watch online.

“It’s not about legal services. It’s not about legal advice,” Randall said. “This is legal education — helping people help themselves and empowering them to feel confident in their abilities or know how to find resources.”

One of Randall’s favorite success stories involved a young man dealing with a dispute over a car purchase.

“He came back and said, ‘You were totally right,'” Randall recalled. “His parents took the car to a shop, got it inspected, and we worked out an agreement. He told me, ‘You treated me like an adult and a person. You answered my questions and made me feel a lot better.'”

Randall sets up at various points along the Atlanta Beltline, but he is most often found in the Inman Park area.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Alexa Liacko

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    ATLANTA (WUPA) — Jere Chang never planned to become a teacher. Now, nearly two decades into her career, she’s built a classroom many students say feels like home, and a social media following of nearly 3 million who see pieces of that classroom reflected online.

“My first career was university administration,” Chang said. “I had zero plans to be a teacher.”

That changed after she earned a second master’s degree and began teaching. One moment, she said, made it clear she was where she belonged.

“The day I walked into that class and I saw the motivation and the curiosity of kids, I was like, ‘This is what I want to do,'” Chang said.

Chang teaches gifted education at Drew Charter School, working with neurodivergent and asynchronous learners. She says gifted education is often misunderstood — and her classroom is designed to give students something they don’t always get elsewhere.

“My students get to come and spend the day in my classroom and all those idiosyncrasies they usually mask, they get to just let that fall into place,” Chang said. “They can nerd it out. They can ask all the questions. They can blurt out answers. We just vibe in here.”

That sense of freedom is intentional. Chang says her goal is to create a space where students feel safe — even when they don’t know the answer.

“I tell my kids, ‘There’s a lady in this classroom who gets paid to help you,'” she said. “I work really hard to build a community where students feel safe to make mistakes, comfortable to ask questions and comfortable not knowing how to do things.”

Students say that the approach has helped them feel confident.

“It makes me feel like I can have creative freedom,” said Harper Kemmerick, 9. “It’s like a safe space I get to go to once a week.”

Theo Field, 8, said Chang makes learning fun — even when the lesson is challenging.

“She pretends to be a really strict teacher, but she’s actually really funny,” he said.

Another student said Chang helps make even “boring things” enjoyable.

“Even when she’s explaining something boring, she still makes it funny,” James Luczynski, 8, said. “We’re learning a lot, but it’s fun.”

Chang says hearing that feedback means everything.

“Students never come back and talk about test scores,” she said. “They always say, ‘Your classroom felt good.’ And that means the world to me.”

Chang’s teaching style is deeply rooted in her own childhood. She grew up with spina bifida and remembers feeling like she didn’t fit in.

“I really became the teacher I needed as a child,” she said. “I was a square peg in a round hole. School was hard for me because I was different.”

She says those experiences shaped how she approaches her students.

“When you grow up in a marginalized community — whether you have a disability, whether you’re queer — you know what it feels like to be different,” Chang said. “And to give kids a space where being different is normal? That’s kind of magical.”

Drew Charter School Principal Monishae O’Neill said Chang’s ability to create belonging is just as important as academics.

“From a holistic perspective, she contributes to kids feeling accepted, valued and like they belong,” O’Neill said. “That’s just as important — if not more important — than academics.”

Chang’s humor and authenticity extend beyond the classroom through her viral social media videos, including her popular character “Miss White,” a wig-wearing persona inspired by familiar workplace dynamics.

“Miss White is that person who tells you you’re doing it wrong because you’re not doing it her way,” Chang said. “She’s everywhere — schools, offices, hospitals. That resonates far beyond education.”

Fellow teacher and longtime mentor Sherique Ransby said Chang’s relatability is what makes both her teaching and her content so impactful.

“She’s able to reach students where they are and make sure no one feels isolated,” Ransby said. “There’s no one mold that fits everybody. Everybody creates their own mold.”

Despite her online following, Chang says her focus has never changed.

“I’m rooting for every kid,” she said. “I don’t care how you worship, how you vote, or where you come from. If you walk through my door, I’m rooting for you.”

Parents, she said, consistently tell her that her class — known as “SOAR” — is their child’s favorite day of the week.

“They get to be with peers who think differently, who learn differently,” Chang said. “And that gets to be celebrated for a day.”

For Chang, the impact she hopes to leave behind isn’t measured in numbers — online or off.

“If I can give kids a place where they feel safe being curious, silly and themselves,” she said, “then I’m doing my job.”

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.