Alfie Kohn (alfiekohn.org) has written extensively about teaching, parenting, education, and schooling. In this thought-provoking podcast, Alfie says we must be clear about our shared, long-term goals for children before we can describe what good teachers do in the classroom. If we want thoughtful, life-long learners, then we would want teachers who encourage their students to be questioners and challengers and in control of their learning -- not passive receptacles of facts.

Tavis Danz is a fifth grade teacher and has incorporated "mindfulness" into his classroom to enhance academic, social, and emotional learning. But he has occasionally worried that the parents of his students might disapprove of this approach. When he received an email from a parent with the subject line, "Mindfulness, " he thought his worst fear was about to be confirmed.

Robert Nelsen was content to work on his ranch in Montana and to ride in the rodeo. As "punishment" for being a "smart ass," Nelsen's high school teacher made him apply for college. Now Dr. Nelsen is now president of one of California's largest public universities.

Until becoming a teenager, Karina Figueroa-Ramirez had never had a teacher who shared her cultural background or looked like her. That changed when she was assigned to a Latinx English teacher in 7th grade who supported Karina's interest in books, who listened to her, and who challenged her to imagine a different future. Nearly 20 years later, in a very different educational setting, Karina is paying forward the gift she received from a caring and inspiring educator. She also remains in touch with this teacher who has since retired.

Emili works with a teacher in South Central Los Angeles who helps a young, angry high school student deal with her emotions--through dance. This teacher story is about trust, the freedom to fail, and how the arts can transform lives.

During high school, a time in his life when he was desperately trying to blend in (and perhaps go unnoticed), Efrain Solis was encouraged to take center stage.

Now a professional opera singer, he shares how his special high school drama teacher, Jeannette McMahon, helped him discover his—baritone—voice.

Brian Rankin's high school physics teacher lies on a bed of nails. He then places a cinder block on his chest and asks Brian to smash it with a sledge hammer -- all to demonstrate a key physics principle to his students. Brian is now a physicist using laser technology to solve real-world problems.

John Lescroart is a New York Times best-selling novelist who says that he might be still be a typist in a law office--or, possibly, homeless were it not for his English teacher, Father Stadler at Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo, California.

TeacherStories.org celebrates teachers and the important role they play in our lives and communities.

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Bob Futernick, former Associate Director of the San Francisco Fine Arts Museums, sends a thank you note to his high school art teacher -- 50 years after taking his class.

TeacherStories.org celebrates teachers and the important role they play in our lives and communities.

Please share this story with your friends!

Do you have a teacher story that you would like to share? https://teacherstories.org/submit-story

Find more inspiring teacher stories:

WEBSITE: https://www.teacherstories.org

INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/inspiringteacherstories

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FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/InspiringTeacherStories

Nikki Ahrenstorff believed that her high school was "reserved for a special group of people" and that she wasn't part of it. That changed when she took an English class with Mr. Childs.