PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. — Most people can remember at least one teacher who made a lasting impact — the educator who encouraged them at just the right moment or pushed them to achieve more than they thought possible.
For students, families, and colleagues at Pembroke Pines Charter Elementary School, that teacher is Joyce Del Campo-Aguila.
After receiving dozens of nominations from across the community, Local 10’s Good News South Florida selected Del Campo-Aguila as its first-ever Teacher of the Year, recognizing not only her decades of dedication in education, but also the extraordinary compassion she has shown beyond the classroom.
The surprise announcement came during a school morning as Del Campo-Aguila prepared her fourth-grade students for testing.
“Hi, Ms. Aguila,” Local 10 Community Relations Director Mayte Padron said as she entered the classroom with a camera crew.
Moments later, the longtime educator learned she had been chosen for the honor, surrounded by cheering colleagues and emotional hugs.
“Oh, you got me good, babe!” Del Campo-Aguila laughed after the surprise reveal.
Del Campo-Aguila has spent more than 30 years serving students in South Florida. Over the course of her career, she has worked not only as a classroom teacher, but also as a principal and assistant principal before ultimately returning to teaching full time.
“To think that the first year I started teaching, those kids are about 40 years old now,” she said. “So I can be their grandkids’ teacher, but it feels like every day is a new day.”
Her peers describe her as both inspiring and endlessly giving.
“She’s an inspiration. She’s giving,” one colleague said.
But it was Del Campo-Aguila’s actions outside the classroom that deeply moved the community member who nominated her: her husband, Orlando Aguila.
The couple, who have been together since high school, have shared more than three decades of marriage.
“He’s a funny guy. He makes me laugh after 32 years,” Del Campo-Aguila said.
Last year, their bond was tested when Orlando was diagnosed with kidney disease. Without hesitation, Del Campo-Aguila stepped forward to donate one of her kidneys to save his life.
“I just wanted that done as soon as possible so his quality of life would improve right away — and our quality of life as a family,” she said.
Orlando calls his wife his “superwoman.”
“I call her my superwoman who gave me my super kidney,” he said.
Their children, Annabella and Aidan, say the selfless act demonstrated the depth of their mother’s love.
“The fact that she did that just shows us so much love, for both of us, and for my dad,” Annabella said.
“My dad would have done the same thing if it was the other way around,” Aidan added. “I am blessed that I have both of them in my life.”
As part of the recognition, Publix Community Relations Manager Robyn Hankerson Printemps presented Del Campo-Aguila with a $1,000 Publix gift card and a celebratory cake.
“You see the passion not only for her students but also for her family,” Hankerson Printemps said during the presentation.
For Del Campo-Aguila, however, the greatest reward appears to be the people whose lives she continues to touch — both in school and at home.
This Mother’s Day marked six months since the kidney transplant, and the Aguila family says they are especially looking forward to celebrating Father’s Day together this year.
And while Del Campo-Aguila has certainly earned high marks for altruism, she also gets recognition for athleticism: she has already completed two 5K races this year, placing in the top three of her age category in both events.
For her students, her family, and her community, Del Campo-Aguila is more than a teacher — she’s a lesson in compassion, resilience, and love.
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