FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE) - Sometimes, a small shift in attitude can make a big difference.

That's the lesson Alexia Pineda learned before entering eighth grade. Now, she is teaching her classmates the same lesson by becoming a better version of herself and a role model in the classroom.

Middle School can be tough -there is a mix of growing pains, independence and figuring out who you are... emotions can run high and moods can shift quickly in the classroom.

"And that's the touchy, you know, topic with middle school, especially girls, you know... talking about attitude," said Sylvia Herrera, a middle school teacher at St. Anne's School.

Herrera has delt with a fair share of teenage angst, but once in a while, a student like Alexia Pineda reminds everyone that a small shift in attitude can make a big difference.

"Ar first, I didn't really see anything," said Pineda. "I was like, okay, I just want to better myself. But then later on... I was just being more positive around people. And it just made me feel better about myself."

Pineda's change in attitude came after a heart-to-heart with her teacher Mrs. Herrera.

"I enjoy coming to work, having students like that, where they want to learn, they want to excel and they just want to be better humans because that as part of a teacher, it's not just teaching the basic subjects, but we're also helping become better citizens for our world," said Herrera.

And right now, Pineda's world is the classroom, a place she is making better by her decision to be better.

"I just show everybody else, like a role model, how big of a role model she is and how we should all act," said Cassidy Moody, an eight-grade student.

"Anyone could change, it doesn't matter who you are and honestly, I know they can change, it's not hard. If I could do it, anyone could do it," said Pineda.