On the heels of National Community School Director Appreciation Week, News 12 is putting a spotlight on one Bronx educator who is working to change lives.

Elizabeth Cedeno says she always knew she would be an educator. She's now the community school director at P.S. 55 in Claremont.

Cedeno runs a literacy tutoring and lunch support program for students in pre-K through second grade.

Funded through the Department of Education, the community school also has a clinic that offers free vision screening and glasses for students, as well as mental health support.

Principal Luis Torres says having someone in the role of community school director is invaluable.

For Cedeno, who's a mother of five, her role in her students' lives is somewhat personal.

"I'm committed because my children were once these children," she says.