At the Virtual Innovators Academy, NYC science teacher Jude Julien reaches students who struggled in traditional classrooms. Now he’s won Math for America’s prestigious Muller Award for his work.

When students audition for a spot at Denver School of the Arts, Shawn Hann looks for potential, positivity, and kindness.

Decatur Central students in Jessica Sandvold’s marketing classes helped rebrand logos across Decatur Township Schools.

FLAG Award winner Rayhan Ahmed ditches traditional exams for real-world fieldwork, taking his students to Flint, Michigan, and Washington, D.C., to learn the human stories behind climate and environmental issues.

As a student at Indy’s Arsenal Technical High School, Isaac Adams did the bare minimum — until a teacher changed his whole mindset. Two decades later, Adams is an engineering and robotics teacher at his alma mater.

Pennsylvania high school history teacher Leon Smith got into teaching because he wanted to have an impact. His favorite lessons force students to apply their critical thinking skills.

Whether it’s a 1-semester certificate program, or associate or bachelor degree programs, Ron Wilks — a former college admissions officer — encourages Perry Township students to consider some type of training or education beyond high school.

Students have told Westerdale, “Now I have my rights with me, ready to read whenever I want.”

DPSCD Teacher Shirley Brezzell manages an outdoor school garden, named after herself, that provides fruits and vegetables to the school community for free.

In her first year of teaching, North Star Academy educator Alex Richardson is trying to build a sense of belonging for her students with disabilities.

Fatimah Barrie’s personal journey was marked by struggle and a high school expulsion. She’s now an award-winning educator at Uncommon Canarsie Middle School, where she prioritizes relationship building with her students.

‘Concepts like interest rates or debt suddenly carry weight when they realize how long it can take to pay something off or how quickly costs can grow,’ said Kristin Lidstrom.

Sabra Sowell-Lovejoy was one of 22 semifinalists for the 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year award.

At YESPhilly Accelerated High School, Art Green’s job means keeping his eyes and ears alert to danger, while also providing vital guidance.

Shana Engel tells her students that “wrong answers are still great answers, because through fixing our mistakes, we develop a greater understanding."

Tara Becker-Utess, an administrator at Mason High School, wants more students to take college prep classes.

Bronx teacher Carolina Castro-Skehan brings green infrastructure to life for her students and also helps shape science standards through her work on Regents exams.

Tracey Couillard, lead chef at Circle City Prep, said building healthy habits through food is an investment in students’ futures.

As Philadelphia tackles a severe teacher shortage, the program helps students earn college credit to become educators.

Sharon Toi Overton fell in love with music and acting at a young age. Now, she is bringing her passion to students at Ray Graham Training Center. This year, her students will perform in a production of ‘The Wiz.’