Marva Collins loved to play "school" as a child...but only if she got to be the teacher. After 14 years of frustration working as a full-time substitute teacher in the Chicago Public School System, she decided to start her own school. What Marva created was a space where children who were burdened with negative labels (black, poor, learning disabled, behavioral issues, stupid, incapable) were able to learn to believe in themselves, AND SO MUCH MORE. Marva was first celebrated, then vilified. But no one could ever question her commitment to her students and to her role as a teacher.

I read two books for this episode: Marva Collins' Way: Returning to Excellence in Education by Marva Collins and Civia Tamarkin and "Ordinary" Children, Extraordinary Teachers by Marva Collins. I read many news articles about Marva and also watched the video on YouTube called SUCCESS! The Marva Collins Approach from 1981. You can find the video (which I also play audio from in this episode) here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXIDVjDlXpc