With her proud students watching, Florida teacher becomes a U.S. citizen

After spending 18 years teaching students about democracy, Annmarie Small decided it was time to become a United States citizen.

Last Thursday, the Tallahassee, Florida, teacher went to the city's federal courthouse and became a naturalized citizen. She wasn't alone — in addition to the other 74 people who became citizens that day, Small was joined by her fourth grade students. "It has been an amazing experience and it's an honor," she told WTXL. "It's not just for myself, but it's for my students as well and for my community."

Small and her son moved to the United States from Jamaica nearly two decades ago, and she said she has always felt supported by her students, their families, and her colleagues. A party was held for Small after the naturalization ceremony, and the guests included her current students as well as several former ones. "It doesn't matter if you're from a different country," she said. "Everybody is the same." Catherine Garcia

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