TAMPA, Fla. -- Melissa Merchant is a reading and writing teacher at Pepin Academies. She's been teaching there for almost seven years.

She was named Best Public School Teacher in Tampa Bay by Creative Loafing's readers. Merchant wants her students to love reading and she's created a classroom that fosters that.

What You Need To Know • Melissa Merchant is a reading and writing teacher at Pepin Academies • Merchant works with fifth graders on their reading and writing skills • Would you like to nominate an A+ Teacher? Click here

“I really love being in the classroom to bring in excitement," Mercahnt said. "And joy and I want to create a fun and colorful environment for the students to be in."

Taylor Daniel, the Assistant Principal at Pepin Academies, said Merchant makes a positive

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