Many thanks to Michael Glaser for sharing his poem for the Thank You, Teachers Project. “Letter to my Fifth Grade Teacher” is a poignant recognition of how a seemingly small gesture can make all the difference.  Below is the poem...

We know that teachers have one of the most important – and challenging – jobs in our country. And that they rarely get all the thanks they deserve. We wanted to do something about that. We also wanted to do...

It’s just after spring break when I scrawl this poem on the whiteboard. We are three-quarters through the school year, but for many students it feels like it’s already over. For the dejected and the defeated, the ones whose grades...

Hope and the Teacher — José Luis Vilson My colleague asked me point-blank: “You’re saying you don’t think you’re having an effect on kids?” I guess I should have been more poignant. I’m also not one for small talk, an...

Thank You Teachers Dear Ms. Coates, While it’s been many years since my daughter was in your first grade class, I still remember your welcoming presence on the playground each morning as the children lined up for school. As I...

In her reflection in Teaching with Heart, Rachel Willis writes how teachers are “powerful beyond measure.” We couldn’t agree more.  Thank you for all you do!   Teachers Are Powerful Beyond Measure — Rachel Willis In many professions, when you...

Janaha Hayes, 2016 National Teacher of the Year! Her inspiring story tells of the power of teachers in her life and how she, in turn, gives the same kind of attention, care and inspiration to her students. Here’s an excerpt...

All Hearts On Deck — David Henderson Having been the principal of this small, rural high school in Montana for two years and having come from the teaching/coaching ranks of the school, I was finally beginning to feel like I...

Here are two great ideas for celebrating Poem in Your Pocket Day. In Teaching with Heart, Jovan Miles, a high school math coach, shared how he shares poems in his pocket to engage students throughout the year.   Check it out...

“Notes from the Playground” is a regular feature on our blog. For this series, Greg John generously allows us to share his principal’s reflections and stories from his wonderful book, Notes from the Playground. In these stories, Greg enables us...