CONCORD, N.C. -- Teachers often take on the roles of parents during the school day. Perhaps that's why Emily Francis is so comfortable in the job.

Francis, who's an English as a Second Language teacher at Concord High School, grew up in Guatemela.

She was the oldest of five. When she was just a teenager, her mom left for the United States.

“There was no childhood left for me. It was all about taking on motherhood at 13 years old,” Francis said.

Always on her mind was when she could come to the United States.

“I knew it was going to be a completely different life for me,” Francis said.

That life arrived when Francis was 15.

But without knowing English and a with limited education she bounced between jobs in the U.S. She watched two shows religiously to learn English. “Friends and Ellen,” she said. 

Eventually, she made it to college and became a teacher.

“She's a fighter and I respect that,” said Vanessa Villacis, who is a student at Concord High School.

Villacis was born in Ecuador. Francis has taught her to focus on life after school.

“No matter what people say about you, what people put upon you, you can go out in the real world and accomplish what you want to do,” Villacis said.

But Francis doesn't want her students consumed with life in the United States. She also wants them to remember their history.

“Bring that spice of who you are into the American culture and it's a blend. It's a beautiful blend. You don't have to forget one to do the other,” Francis said.

By all accounts, Francis has found success when many would have counted her out, but she's not done yet.

Earlier this year she got a chance to meet one of her television teachers, Ellen DeGeneres.

She not only shared her story on Ellen, but her school also received a check for all her work.

It proves dreams can come true when you have a spirit like Everyday Hero Emily Francis.

If you have an idea for our next Everyday Hero please email us at everydayheroes@charter.com.