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Chelsea Zent’s days are packed. An eighth-grade English teacher at Norris Middle School, she spends her days instilling students with a love of literature and language, then it’s home to spend quality time with her young daughter, followed by evenings of grading papers and preparing lesson plans.

But when Zent learned that a student with cancer needed someone to home school him, she made time in her schedule — and in her heart.

“When I learned what the family had been through, I just felt the need to be the one,” said Zent, who home-schooled Josh Chavez, 13, this past school year.

Josh was first diagnosed with bone cancer when he was a 10-year-old at Olive Drive Elementary. After rounds of chemotherapy and physical therapy, he was able to return to school for fifth and sixth grade.

Josh had only been in seventh grade one week when a tumor was found in his right leg in August of 2007.

“He had to put his new backpack away. It was really hard — he loves school,” recalled Josh’s mom, Janet.

Surgery was performed to remove the tumor, followed by intense rounds of chemotherapy. The inside of Josh’s leg is now all metal below the hip.

Zent said she part of what motivated her to home school Josh was the fact that her own mother, a former third-grade teacher, did the same for a sick student when Zent was a child.

“I was just a child, but I remember how fulfilled she was,” said Zent, who applied for the job and got it.

Janet said the family felt grateful and blessed when Zent took the position.

“Most people who work all day have other responsibilities or are just plain tired. Not only did Chelsea find the energy to home school Josh, but she was also willing to open up her heart to pain,” said Janet.

Zent tutored Josh in all subjects for at least an hour a day.

“He’s a joy to work with. He’s just an amazing kid,” said Zent, who reported that Josh likes English but also enjoyed percentages and decimals.

Josh said Zent would also fill him in on what was happening at school with his peers.

“She made me feel like I was there. It took my mind off medicine and doctors,” said Josh, who added that Zent would often bring he and his brother, Alex, cookies.

Zent said she’s been incredibly impressed by the courage of the whole Chavez family.

“The experience has changed my life. I learned things I never thought I would about cancer, family and love,” said Zent, who has continued to tutor Josh this summer.

“When we started, he was shorter than me. Now he’s taller. And his hair is growing back,” said Zent.

Josh continues to receive physical therapy three times a week, but he plans to return to school this fall — with a newfound confidence, thanks to Zent.

“She helped me believe in myself. I am really happy Ms. Zent was my home school teacher, and now she will always be my friend,” said Josh, who added his plans for the 2008-09 school year are simple.

“I want to learn a lot, do good in school, and just have fun — like a normal kid,” he said.