Standing in the midst of loud seventh graders, poking and jostling each other, Enni Cabalceta Leal is hardly recognizable as a teacher -- until she speaks.

"Everyone find a seat and pay attention!" Leal shouts above the din of teenage voices.

Students in uniforms of white shirts, army-green colored pants, skirts and jumpers clamor to find seats in the narrow, crowded classroom.

"Someday I will be old, deaf and have no vocal cords to deal with these kids," Leal sighed. "I need to have an administrative job before that happens; I'll need a rest."

Leal, a teacher at Colegio Bilingue is focused on her students. She said she wants the young girls in her class to understand the importance of education and independence that comes with a good education.

Leal surveys the boys in her class through narrowed eyes. "I tell them that real men do not drink or use drugs and that they do their homework and respect their classmates and teachers."

--Debi Springer