Mrs. Io Bruce had a true passion for teaching, and inspired her students in a way few other teachers could.

"The most caring, loving, inspirational teacher that I've probably ever met," said Warrensburg Teachers Association President Sue Gerrain.

Bruce was a tireless teacher, with an ability to care for students as if they were her own children and make each one feel special in their own way.

"I wanted to be in that classroom and she was just like the highlight of my day. Just walking down the hallways and seeing her face and seeing just her say hi to everyone and making everyone smile ..." said Warrensburg High School senior Meagan O’Sullivan.

She started a campaign of kindness, all with a simple hashtag.

"She started off just a little thing on her whiteboard. It said ‘#youareaninspiration.’ She always wanted to give people tidbits of confidence boosters,” said Warrensburg High School senior Nolan McNeil.

Following her untimely death Thursday, Mrs. Bruce's classroom door and countless lockers are now filled with messages about who she was.

"I put '#you are the strongest woman I know.’ Because ... she was the strongest person I know. No matter what it was," said McNeil.

Mrs. Bruce is a graduate of Warrensburg, where she met her husband Matthew. Together they raised two children – Christian and Cassondra.

"Mr. Bruce is also a teacher here. The two of them worked together, side by side, every day of their lives, inside of school and outside of school. So I think it hits the community as well," said Gerrain.

She ran the National Honor Society and Junior Statesman of America club – spending countless hours of her free time organizing trips to Washington D.C. and abroad with her students.

"She worked her hardest to get my friends — who couldn't even pay for the trips — to go on the trips. She'd find scholarships because she wanted students to get the experience," O’Sullivan said.

During this challenging time, the community is rallying together — putting a spotlight on the love, kindness, and compassion Bruce gave her students.

"Her words of inspiration and her words of kindness are something they need to remember always – during their dark times, difficult times. Those are words that she truly lived by,” said Gerrain.

“It's going to be different without her, but her legacy is always going to be here. I know that," said McNeil.

Calling hours for Bruce will be held at Alexander Baker Funeral Home Tuesday, June 4 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.