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Dakota Chance has been teaching for three years

Before each school year begins, the 22-year-old decorates her classroom in hopes of inspiring her students

She always used to send the final product to her father, but in March 2025, he died unexpectedly, leaving a void no one else could fill

For the past three years, Dakota Chance, a dedicated fourth-grade teacher in Mississippi, has made it a tradition to transform her classroom into a warm, inviting space before each new school year begins.

“I always pour 110% into my classroom,” Chance tells PEOPLE exclusively. “I know some students don’t receive the love and support every child deserves at home, so I strive to make my classroom a safe and calming place – a space where they know they are always welcome.”

Her favorite pa

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