Thank A Teacher Today – They Change Lives!

November 18th to 22nd is American Education Week and so it feels more than fitting to talk about the impact teachers have on our lives. I speak from first hand experience too.

Teaching in a classroom was one of the biggest adventures I had the privilege of taking on in my 20s when I became a kindergarten teacher. It was always rewarding and always challenging, and it offered me a way to connect to a mission that was greater than my own and more than just a career.

Children need to be nurtured, inspired, and experience new things so they can grow and navigate the big wide world. It was my privilege to be part of that journey for some of them. One day in my 6th year of teaching, I realized I wanted to transition out of the classroom to provide education to more students, impact different communities, and advocate for change in a way that extended beyond my one classroom, and I joined EARTHDAY.ORG to advocate for climate education.

I realized I could educate on a global scale through a platform like EARTHDAY.ORG, (EDO). This leap, while daunting, opened doors to an entirely new world of possibilities. I do not get to hear about a student's weekends anymore or read them books daily but I know that my experience in the classroom made me more real, more connected, and more understanding of the world because it allowed me to see it through the eyes of those who still see it with wonder. To teach is to be surrounded by wonder every day.

Inspired by this sentiment I asked my EDO colleagues what teachers they remembered the most and here are their answers. It made me proud to belong to a profession that truly does change and shape the world we live in.

My favorite teacher was someone who encouraged us to break rules. My English teacher used literature to make her pitch that we (all girls) should not accept the status quo about anything. She was a gentle, brilliant woman who asked us to see the world differently. To see ourselves as leaders, explorers, writers and scientists. I'll never forget her. Kathleen Rogers, President EARTHDAY.ORG

My middle school science teacher, Miriam, played a huge role in my love for science and sustainability. Her passion and energy was contagious, and her approach to teaching was very hands-on. We also called her Ms. Frizzle because of her curly hair and pet bearded dragon that she kept in the classroom. Every class was an adventure; thank you, Miriam! Aminah Taariq-Sidibe, Manager of End Plastic Initiatives

My AP English and Literature teacher (humble brag, got a 4 on both, no big deal), Anna Thomas, inspired me to get involved with the environmental movement and how we can use language to inspire people. She was my first introduction to environmental advocacy and led our high school environmental advocacy club doing local cleanups and protests against fossil fuel drilling on the Outer Banks. Aidan Charron, Associate Director, Global Earth Day

My psychology teacher, Mr. Visna, taught me during my junior and senior years of high school. He was a wonderful storyteller and always willing to talk to us outside of class. In those conversations, he was honest and attentive and inspired me to be a better version of myself, motivating me to pursue the career I have today. Maddie Lacroix, Executive Assistant

My favorite teacher was Ms. Rehberg, she was not just a teacher to me but a mentor and friend. She is who introduced me to the environmental movement and is the reason I found my passion for environmental advocacy. I wrote my college admissions essay about the incredible influence she had on my life. Libby Bunch, Campus Outreach Associate

One of my favorite teachers in high school was Mr. Knopp, my sophomore-year Language Arts teacher at Bandys High School. He taught me how to analyze a wide range of texts, both current and historical, and through this, I started to become very comfortable in trusting myself and my own beliefs. At the start of high school, I was quite shy, but Mr. Knopp made the class a comfortable place to come out of my shell. Through vocal discussions about whatever we were learning in class, I learned to dare to have disagreements, be vocal about my truth, and be myself. Ironically, these are extremely important skills for this job. Michael Karapetian, The Great Global Cleanup Coordinator

My favorite teacher growing up was Mr. Coulter. He was my marketing teacher in high school. What I really enjoyed about his class was that he used many real-life examples and case studies to make learning about marketing techniques more relatable. But more than that, he told me I could do anything I wanted in life as long as I applied myself and I took those words to heart. Thank you Mr. Coulter! Dennis Nolasco, Education Coordinator

I had a geography teacher in secondary school, his name was Zbigniew Deptula. Every day he had a t-shirt from a different country, Ethiopia, Ireland, Canada; he visited more than 90. He knew the answer to any question: GDP, climate change, minerals, he inspired me to explore the beauty of our world, geography was his life. In 2021 sadly he died but I still think about him often. Johnny Dabrowski, Consultant, Coordinator of Climate Education Coalition

My favorite teacher was Mrs. Smith, who taught me Art at Balfron High School, in Scotland, many, many years ago! She told me you couldn't really fail in art if you just did what you liked and what made you happy. That was the first time a teacher had ever asked me to think that way. I remember at the ripe old age of 15 that it was an idea that utterly delighted me. My art got so MUCH better afterwards too. A few years later, after I graduated college, I went back to the school to take her out for lunch and to thank her. Good teachers change lives and Mrs. Smith taught me to trust my own gut. I loved her and still to this day I think about her life lesson often; do what makes you happy, trust yourself. Sarah Davies, Director Communication and Media

Sometimes, the lessons our teachers push us to learn ourselves are the most valuable. Mrs. DP embodied this for her students. As an English teacher, it initially struck me as unusual that she rarely shared her beliefs, guiding our discussions without participating. Yet, by the end of my two years in her class, her wisdom became clear. We could analyze Huckleberry Finn, Romeo and Juliet, and The Pearl under her watchful eye, but she wanted us to think critically on our own, develop the strength to defend our conclusions, and have the confidence to let our opinions evolve as new facts emerged. These skills have proven invaluable in my life and I couldn't be more grateful. Terran Fielder, Media Specialist

When a teacher sees a students' potential, it opens doors. My first grade teacher, Mrs. Shinkles supported me when I was struggling with reading fundamentals. I remember her working with me after school and giving me books to take home. She not only allowed me to pass but excel in reading. I now have a lifelong love for reading. This is the teacher who inspired me to become a teacher. Emily Walker, Education Coordinator

My favorite teacher was my high school social studies teacher, Craig Beach. Mr. Beach pushed students to see a world beyond our community in all of his courses and encouraged independent thinking. I see the world differently after having Mr. Beach as my teacher and I have carried that learning through my work as a teacher and in climate education. Bryce Coon, Director Education Initiatives

My high school math teacher, Mrs. Fang, was quite strict and serious in class but she was really good at explaining math, in a way that even someone like me, who was not very good at math or science, could understand. It made me not hate math as much! I thank her for "balancing" my grades, which gave me a better chance of getting into a top university. Sophia Valentino, Digital Media Strategist

My math tutor, Mrs. Protehiros, was the main person that influenced my choice for my college major: Finance. If it weren't for the patience, compassion and understanding that she so generously provided, I would have easily continued to despise math. She single-handedly changed my perception of the subject, inspiring me to pursue a career of numbers. Whenever I think about a teacher that helped me find my true potential, the first person I think of will always be Mrs. Protehiros. Basi Kosmas

Thank you to the teachers of the world. We need you and we appreciate you.

If you are an educator and want to join the EARTHDAY.ORG network, consider supporting our mission to put climate education into every single classroom around the world and please utilize these free resources on climate education and why it matters here. If you are a teacher in the K - 12 grades please consider utilizing our free guide, The School Guide to Teaching Climate Education, because you can never start teaching students about climate change early enough!

If you are a college student who wants to get involved on your campus promoting any of these issues, climate literacy, divesting from fossil fuels, renewable energy or sustainability, please contact our campus MobilizeU Coordinator Lee Franklin at [email protected].

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