Teaching is a form of public service that may give personal fulfillment to those who are involved in it. It is important to highlight the personal dimensions of teaching along with the professional dimensions to help illustrate the teacher's role as a public servant. This paper discusses the practice of one Portuguese kindergarten teacher "Ana" observed throughout almost two years using ethnographic methodologies. Excerpts from field notes and interviews illustrate how Ana derived personal satisfaction from her teaching and how she perceived her teaching as a "moral act" and therefore a public service. Finally, the paper explores how Ana's "voice" can become a pedagogical tool for others. (Contains 53 references.) (Author/HTH)