PALM COAST, Fla. — James Gambone did not initially pursue a career in the classroom. He discovered his calling while attending college.

Teaching has been a constant in James Gambone’s life for the past 27 years. He has spent 25 years teaching students at Flagler Palm Coast High School.

"Certain kids, you can really make a difference," Gambone says. "Some go to college that wouldn't have gone to college or go into a trade. There's a lot of math in trades, so it's nice that they learn the math that they need."

Gambone was inspired to teach while completing a college professor's assignment.

"I was originally going to be a lawyer, and I was in a criminal justice class," Gambone says. "Part of our requirement was to go and tutor at an inner-city school, and so I was tutoring two fourth-graders and they couldn't read or do math, and that was shocking to me and so that made me want to go and help kids, make a difference."

Gambone earned his elementary education degree but says it turns out teaching younger students wasn't for him.

"So I changed to high school, and I love it, so I'm glad I did," Gambone says.

He is making a difference one student at a time.

"They come in saying, 'Oh I was never good at math', and they kind of convince themselves of that, so to try to get them to understand and know that yes, you can be good at math if you'll just put the work in and give the effort, you'll be good at it. When that clicks, that's a great feeling as a teacher," Gambone says.

While he says he really enjoys educating high schoolers, he admits teaching can be challenging. 

"It looks easy, but to try to get 30 people to listen, take notes, comprehend what you're doing and convey the information — try to convey — in language they understand and in numbers they understand," Gambone said.