Third Grade Teacher's Small Act Still Inspires Baseball Legend Jim Abbott

Jim Abbott was born with only one hand. Despite the impairment, he won an Olympic gold medal, played professional baseball, pitched a no-hitter, wrote a bestselling memoir and has impacted the lives of thousands of people through his inspirational talks. But he still enthusiastically recounts how one of his greatest inspirations came from his third grade teacher.

By Jeanne Goddard

27 April 63 Views

The Surprising Organ Donation That is Saving a Little Girl's Life

Who knew going to the principal's office meant that something good had happened rather than bad?

By Jeanne Goddard

11 March 73 Views

The Amazings: Join a UK Website to Teach Your Skills and Get Paid

Everyone has a skill. Now retirees and other talented individuals in London are invited to share their passions by joining The Amazings, a new social enterprise that helps people with skills to teach others by way of group classes and activities. The website explains, We handle the advertising and payments – all the Amazing has to do is decide when they want to run their experience, turn up, be amazing, and then collect the cash.

By Jeanne Goddard

18 March 62 Views

No More Textbooks: Students Read Better With Books They Choose

In Rhode Island, teachers in a local public school have overcome animosity with charter school educators. Instead, they have joined together to dramatically raise reading scores for young children who choose their own books.

By Jeanne Goddard

21 February 56 Views

The Plea that Opened Hearts; Inner-city School Teacher Takes Action

Frustrated teacher Carrie Gelson, after a difficult day at work, wrote an impassioned open letter to Vancouver residents asking if anyone cared about her inner-city students who were coming to school with empty tummies and holes in their shoes. The response was astonishing.

By Jeanne Goddard

14 November 57 Views

The Benefits of Adding Love to your School's Curriculum

As a social studies teacher in a Boston public high school for 14 years, Stephen Banno has developed a curriculum called the "Love Course," that present ancient cultural wisdoms coupled with the latest discoveries in modern science to address issues concerning love in our contemporary lives. Students have reported that in small ways, they have transformed themselves, their friends, and the school around them.

By Jeanne Goddard

31 August 58 Views

Students Surprise Beloved Teacher With Tickets to the World Series

A lifelong baseball fan, this English teacher has his own devoted fans—students from the last 20 years who surprised him with tickets to the biggest game.

By Tiffani Spengler

29 October 63 Views

Stranger Waiting in Line Behind Teacher Pays For Her School Supplies

Devoted seventh grade teacher Sabrina Drude was given a lesson in kindness from a total stranger.

By Tiffani Spengler

21 August 61 Views

School Sends Boy With Autism Touching Letter After He Fails Exams

Kindness, creativity, bravery – these are things that Ben Twist's teacher knows he has in abundance that test scores can't measure.

By Tiffani Spengler

03 August 61 Views

Literature Professor Bikes Straight to the Homeless, Offering a Weekly Street Library (WATCH)

A professor began a library on wheels to make sure people on society's fringes have access to literature and stimulating conversation—even chats about Chomsky.

By Jeanne Goddard

14 July 72 Views

Las Vegas Principal Goes Door to Door Hoping To Beat The Odds

Nevada has the lowest high school graduation rate in the country. But now a multi-million dollar federal grant is helping one district turn its schools around. Host Michel Martin speaks with a principal who spent last Saturday knocking on the doors of students who dropped out, encouraging them to come back to school.

By Jeanne Goddard

05 February 61 Views

Teacher Shocked by Teen Suicide Attempt, Writes Personal Notes to 130 Students

When a teacher missed the warning signs of a student's attempted suicide, she wrote 130 personal letters to prevent other students from trying it.

By Jim Stout

13 June 65 Views

5th Grader Treats All His Teachers to Nice Dinner Out Before Moving on to Middle School

When 11-year-old Cody began furiously saving money for something in October, his mom figured it was another Xbox game–but this kid had a grand plan.

By Jeanne Goddard

26 May 70 Views

Teacher Turns Student Desks into Notes of Encouragement Before Big Exam (LOOK)

When fifth-graders showed up for a big test, each had a personalized, motivational message from their teacher handwritten across their desk.

By Jim Stout

16 May 60 Views

Kevin Bacon Surprises Teachers at Their Year End Pizza Party

While on location in the small town of Marfa, Texas, Kevin Bacon used his free time to drop by a school district end-of-year teacher recognition party.

By Jeanne Goddard

07 June 63 Views