Potter-Thomas School Principal Nichole Polk was bullied for her stutter in fifth grade. Now she wants her students and staff to support each other in finding their voices.

Victor Hurtado came to Chicago as a teenager from Mexico and graduated from Schurz High School in the 1990s. Today, he’s the math department chair at Schurz and teaches bilingual teens advanced algebra and calculus.

Mario Lemons isn’t just the principal at Detroit Achievement Academy. He’s also an arts supporter and has taught American Sign Language to his students.

El Houcin Houssam, the Essex County Teacher of the Year for 2024-25, initially wanted to pursue finance. Then he found inspiration in teaching.

This Indiana educator takes listeners beyond the ‘colorful classroom decor and perfectly curated lesson plans.’

Veteran educator Steve Lazar is part of a growing virtual program that helps give small schools access to a wider range of advanced classes.

Shannon Houtrouw has been teaching computer science since 1998. This year, he learned he won a top award for educators.

Patricia Houston is director of Children's Community School, a nonprofit preschool and early childhood education center in a racially diverse but rapidly gentrifying neighborhood of West Philadelphia.

Makeba Averitte, an art teacher at Liberty Grove Schools, connects art in the classroom to life outside the classroom — from building family relationships to providing clothes and haircuts to students.

Middle school English teacher Marc J. Gregson is a bestselling fantasy novelist. He hasn’t quit his day job.

Tobye Ertelt says more students are checking out books since the pandemic.

Amber Faris has sponsored the Gay-Straight Alliance at her Kentucky high school for nearly two decades. That’s given her insight into the kinds of support LGBTQ teens need right now.

Nia Freeman, third grade teacher at Liberty Elementary School, started a DEI-focused newscast for her students.

A year into the job, the head of Chicago Public School’s disability office is focused on chronic absenteeism and students’ transition to adulthood.

Trips to the post office, Statehouse, and polling station are all part of the practical education that Laura Hinz teaches her students.

The nonprofit network helps operate 17 city public schools that cater exclusively to newly arrived immigrant students, serving as a national model for educating newcomers.

Kelley Cusmano teaches student leadership and English language arts at Rochester High School.

Janet Damon learned a valuable lesson after a hard year in third grade.

Mary Easley teaches early childhood education to high schoolers at the same career center where she developed her love of teaching.

Jayme Margolin-Sneider recently completed a six-week teaching fellowship in Vietnam.