Feel-good teacher stories, Everyone has a memorable teacher — the one who pushed you to achieve more, opened your eyes to new ideas or treated you with respect even before you'd earned it.
These unsung heroes aren't in it for the recognition, but they certainly deserve plenty. To honor World Teacher Day, here's a selection of stories about teachers going above and beyond for their students.
Educators keep their vow
In September 2013, Roberta Pace, principal of a California high school (in which city?), and Assistant Principal Igor Milosavljevic kept their vow to sport a radical new haircut if students improved performance. For their end of the bargain, students had to raise their API score by 10 points — a figure which they far exceeded.
Denver teacher's innovative method
Denver algebra teacher Lindsay Chinn was featured in a September 2013 TV special (with a celebrity host) for her innovative teaching method. Rather than sitting still at their desks, her students do '360 degree math,' standing up to solve problems in collaboration with their peers.
Teacher & students honor soldiers
For nearly three decades, Indiana high school history teacher and former military man Tom Clark has inspired students to research and honor fallen war heroes. As part of his Gold Star Honor Project, Clark assigns each student a fallen service member to research.
Bombing survivor's reunion
Preschool teacher Erika Brannock was finally reunited with her students in August 2013, seeing them for the first time since she was injured in the tragic Boston Marathon bombings. Parents and colleagues told news reporters how Brannock's strength has inspired the preschool's greater community.
Eighth-graders support gay teacher
In August 2013, an openly gay eighth-grade teacher was surprised and moved when two of his "tough" students showed their support during a routine morning lesson. The teacher took to this social news site to share the heartwarming story.
Gym teacher goes above and beyond
Longtime gym teacher Joni Lawler has gone to incredible lengths to fund equipment for her P.E. classroom. In addition to the respect of her students and local community, Lawler's commitment to her students has also earned her a prestigious teaching award.
Teacher saves students from tornado
Rhonda Crosswhite, a teacher at Plaza Tower Elementary in Oklahoma, had to think fast when a deadly tornado hit the school in May 2013. Thanks to Crosswhite's selfless actions, the students in her care survived the strong winds and sustained only minor injuries.
Teacher saves choking student's life
Tara Muchow teaches special-needs students the skills required to get a job. In May 2013, when her student Mercedes Watson began to choke at a school picnic , Muchow sprang to action and saved her life.
Teacher inspires with opera
Nine-year-olds aren't your average opera aficionados, yet Mary Ruth McGinn, a teacher in the 'Old Line State,' has inspired her 19 third-graders to compose, produce and perform an original production. The opera isn't just an arts lesson; it provides opportunities for kids to learn math and science too .
Educator wins 'Teacher of the Year'
Zillah High School teacher Jeff Charbonneau won the nation's highest teaching honor in April 2013 — the National Teacher of the Year award. Innovative and passionate, Charbonneau sets high expectations for Zillah students. As a result, the public high school has a 96 percent graduation rate, and nearly every graduate leaves with college credit.
Teacher inspires students with an 'F'
Author, public speaker and educator Rita F. Pierson, who passed away in June, is remembered for her passionate approach to teaching , a topic she discussed in a heartfelt TED talk in March 2013. Pierson believed effective teaching comes out of building relationships and remained positive even when giving students an 'F.'
Hero teacher talks down gunman
When a 16-year-old gunman opened at Taft Union High School, teacher Ryan Heber's instinct was not to run. Even after a stray bullet grazed his forehead, Heber confronted the teenager and persuaded him to put his gun down.
Teacher inspires on "Jeopardy!"
Christopher Pae, the academic decathlon coach at a Georgia high school, became the ultimate role model for his students by appearing on America's favorite quiz show. Participating in the show's 2012 Teacher Tournament he inspired all of his students to pursue their dreams.
Ms. B' inspires Bosnian refugee
After escaping war-torn Bosnia and moving to the US with his family, Merzudin Ibric figured he'd drop out of school and get a job. However, his teacher Nancy Barile's persistent words of encouragement persuaded him to pursue higher education , excel as an athlete and eventually become a U.S. citizen.
Student pushed to achieve
In 2001 Rachel Walshe made history, becoming the first student at her university to ever win a Rhodes Scholarship. Walshe credits the achievement, which landed her a two-year spot at England's top university, to a woman she calls "the single most influential person" in her life: URI professor Dr. Cheryl Foster.
Ailing teacher makes a difference
David Menasche taught English in a Florida high school (which city?) for over a decade. After being diagnosed with cancer (what kind?), he was forced to stop teaching, and memory loss from surgeries left him wondering if he ever really made a difference. One brief Facebook post later, Menasche got his overwhelming answer.
Math teacher uses Internet to inspire
It all started when one of Rob Tarrou's students was out sick. The St. Petersburg High School math teacher recorded a lesson on video and posted it online for the student to watch at home. Since, his audience has grown into hundreds of thousands of students in countries across the globe.
Teacher turns student's life around
Described as "relentlessly positive and upbeat," teacher Donna Porter turned what was potentially the most challenging moment in her career into the most successful. When gang member DJ Batiste entered her classroom, the award-winning teacher used positive reinforcement to turn his life around.
