An Alexandria school teacher has been nationally recognized for her work.

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Stacy Hoeflich, who has been teaching fourth grade for 13 years, was named national history teacher of the year Wednesday.

“It’s like a superstar moment - which is not usual for me,” she said Thursday, back in her classroom at John Adams Elementary School.

Her passion for teaching was sparked by her own high school history teacher. Now she looks for that same spark in her students' eyes.

“When we really get into what we're talking about and I see they're making the connections it just doesn’t matter -- it's exciting. And I couldn’t work in a job where there isn’t that excitement,” Hoeflich said.

Outside the classroom, she serves as an educational consultant at George Mason University and is active in national conferences on history education. John Adams’ Principal Grace Taylor says Hoeflich’s lessons benefit the culturally diverse student population at her school.

“It's amazing. The dialogue between kids and Ms. Hoeflich is not common in most classrooms so we are really, really thrilled to have her on staff,” said Taylor.

Hoeflich says her students fuel her drive to teach.

“All teachers will tell you about the ah-ha moment and a lot will say that's why we do it – I mean you just want to keep going. You want to push further and say "let’s keep going and connect this to this to this" because its not just one little connection but it's this to this to this -- especially with history,” she said.

While the award may open new doors for the future of her career, Hoeflich insists the classroom will always be home.

“I may be able to do more with the state or with the federal government in terms of policy and education policy and that’s an exciting possibility-- but I wouldn’t leave the classroom -- so that’s it. That's why I'm here,” she said.