From the Classroom to the Medical Field

In the busy pediatric ICU of Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando, a young nurse moves with quiet confidence between patients’ rooms. For Liz, a Plato Academy alumna who graduated with her Bachelor of Nursing in May 2022, the journey from elementary school classrooms to critical care nursing represents a path guided by cultural values and educational foundations that began forming when she was just a child.

“The fondest memories I have are being really close with my classmates,” Liz recalls of her seven years at Plato Academy, where she attended from second through eighth grade. “Most of us grew up together from second to eighth grade, and it was truly special to share those formative years with friends.”

The Power of Small School Communities

Unlike many of her peers who later attended massive public high schools, Liz experienced something special at Plato Academy—an environment where “everyone knew everyone.” This community-centered approach to education created lasting bonds not just among students but between students and teachers.

“When I went to high school and I met people that were in large public schools with like 2000 kids, the big thing that I noticed is that the teachers don’t really remember a lot of their students from previous years,” Liz explains. At Plato Academy, the experience was markedly different: “Even Ms. Seals, when I was in eighth grade, she still remembered me from third grade, and was always happy to see me. I found it truly special that teachers continue to care about their students’ progress long after they advance to the next grades.”

Bridging Two Cultures

Coming to America from Greece at a young age presented its own set of challenges. While Liz (Ελισάβετ) adapted more easily than someone arriving later in life might have, certain cultural values remained deeply ingrained.

“Even now, being here for so long, I still struggle with some concepts,” she shares. “For example, you never show up to someone’s house empty-handed. That is very Greek (laughing). I still do it because this is how I was raised, but my American friends don’t share the same custom, and that’s ok of course.”

When asked about the balance between her Greek upbringing and American education, Liz describes it as an even split: “I would say it was 50-50 because whatever values I had at home, they were still expected at school.”

Finding Her Path in Medicine

After graduating from Plato Academy, Liz attended Palm Harbor High School’s medical program before heading to the University of Central Florida. Her career path wasn’t immediately clear—she initially pursued forensic science before switching to nursing.

“I became a patient care technician for adults. I quickly realized that this is not for me” she says with candor. “But I enjoyed taking care of people. So, maybe -I thought-  if I work with children that’ll be better. And it turned out that was right.”

Now working in a pediatric ICU, Liz finds fulfillment in her chosen field. “For the most part, I go home feeling satisfied I was able to make a positive difference” she reflects, acknowledging the inevitable ups and downs of such demanding work.

The Plato Academy Advantage

When asked how her education at Plato Academy has influenced her career, Liz points to several key elements. First is the Greek language instruction she received: “I use it all the time at my job. Even for school, when I was in nursing school, I kept seeing Greek root words in the medical terminology, and it made me smile every time because it was easier for me to understand and remember without having to memorise.”

Beyond language skills, Liz credits Plato Academy with instilling deeper values: “Plato always taught us, how you just have to care about others and you have to care about what you do. You have to put thought into what you’re doing.”

This ethos of care permeates everything she does: “Everything that I do, whether it’s inside my job or outside my job, I deeply care about. And I think that was taught in school, as early as middle and elementary school.”

For students considering a similar path, Liz emphasizes the importance of motivation: “The biggest thing is that you have to find the reason why you’re doing it. Just because you care, it’s not enough. You have to find out why you’re doing it.”

Her own motivation stemmed from personal experience—watching family members fall ill and feeling helpless. “That’s the reason why I chose to do what I do. Because I want to be able to help.”

Lessons That Last a Lifetime

Among the lasting lessons from her time at Plato Academy, Liz values the encouragement to try new things regardless of difficulty: “Greek is not an easy language. But even if it is a difficult language, no one ever discouraged us from trying to learn it. Fortunately there are connections between English and Greek so this is a start.”

When asked about expressions that have stayed with her, Liz recalls Ms. Cicetti, her fifth-grade teacher’s advice when tackling difficult reading material: “Sound it out.” This simple phrase became a tool for deciphering complex vocabulary and uncovering deeper themes in literature. “I still do this sometimes, when I study” she says as she laughs.

But perhaps the most memorable phrase from her school days is a Greek one: “Πάμε!” The expression—which translates to “Let’s go” was ubiquitous at Plato Academy. “That fits everywhere,” Liz says with a smile. “Starting the lesson. Ending the lesson. Coming to school, leaving the school…”

As Liz looks toward the future, her goals include obtaining her certification in pediatric nursing and continuing to mentor new nurses in her unit. Looking back at her educational journey, she offers this advice to her younger self and current students: “Don’t worry too much about what other people think about you. Just do your best every day.”

It’s a wisdom that reflects both her Greek heritage and her American education—a blend of cultural values and experiences that began in the classrooms of Plato Academy and continues to guide her as she cares for the youngest, most vulnerable patients in Orlando’s pediatric intensive care unit.