Teachers Change Lives
I became a journalist because of my high school choir teacher.

Seriously.

One of my first newspaper assignments was a column for the opinion page on the controversial editing of the movie Titanic. I buried myself in research about whether it was legal for people to buy edited copies of the movie. I filled my opinion piece with supportive facts and unknowingly took a very unpopular stance amongst high school students.

At the next staff meeting, letter to the editor after letter to the editor was read about how I was not only wrong, but also naive, stupid, and a myriad of other immature high school descriptions. I was crushed and wondering what I was even doing in a newspaper class.

My next class was choir and I was a little surprised when my teacher pulled me aside. He spent the next five minutes praising my journalistic writing and my bravery for taking an unpopular viewpoint. That was a turning point for me. Because Dr. Lee cared to take the time to bolster my fragile journalist ego, I decided to give newspaper writing another try.

I continued writing for the high school newspaper and received a full-tuition scholarship to write for the university newspaper the next year. I thrived under incredible teachers who believed in me and transformed from a shy freshman to editor in chief to the first student newspaper adviser. Journalism became my passion thanks to a choir teacher who encouraged me to stick with it.

Now that I have children of my own, I understand even more the importance of teachers who are passionate about their jobs. I adore my daughter’s first grade teacher and the efforts she goes to to make learning fun and exciting for the children. I was thrilled to learn of Office Depot and Adopt-A-Classroom’s Teachers Change Lives program. The two organizations have partnered to raise awareness about teachers, and all they do in the lives of their students. Adopt-A-Classroom is a nonprofit organization that helps connect donors with teachers to enhance the learning environment for students

Teachers Change Lives

I have many friends who are teachers and know that they spend money every year out of their own pocket. Like my friends, there are teachers across the country doing innovation things in the classroom to help our children. Office Depot is highlighting several of these teachers stories. I selected two of my favorites to share with you.

Estella Pyfrom uses her Brillant Bus to give students access to technology. She used her life savings to build this bus to help bridge the digital divide. She has recently been featured as one of CNN’s heroes.

Cassie Cox is a teacher at an alternative high school in Utah. This is the last stop for students before dropping out. Cassie is a former drop out who went on to earn her Masters Degree, and wants the same for her students. She gives them a second chance, and a new way to look at learning.

You can donate to the teacher highlighted in the video, or a teacher in your local community. Just follow these easy steps:

How to Donate to a Teacher
Go to Teachers Change Lives website
Click on the teal “Donate to a Teacher” box on the Teachers Change Lives website, which will take you to the Adopt-A-Classroom website
Follow the corresponding steps from there

How to Register Your Classroom as a Teacher
Go to Teachers Change Lives website (http://clvr.li/1emq4KF)
Click on the red box that says “Register Your Classroom,” which will take you to the Adopt-A-Classroom website
Follow the corresponding steps from there

Do you have a teacher who inspired you in school?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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32 Comments

Debbie Denny · April 30, 2014 at 4:35 am

Great sites. Teachers are wonderful.

Robin (Masshole Mommy) · April 30, 2014 at 5:14 am

I am in the classroom with my boys a lot and I don’t think many people have an idea of just how much the teachers do unless you get to experience it firsthand.

Melanie · April 30, 2014 at 7:17 am

My mom is teacher and she puts her heart and soul into everything she does!

womenmlm · April 30, 2014 at 7:38 am

Wow what an incredible story and impact she is making on students lives. I have a degree in Education, although I currently work from home at this time. Teachers are important to our children’s lives!

jamie@kreyv · April 30, 2014 at 7:39 am

This is such a great program, and I love your personal story! I taught school for four years while my husband finished his undergrad. I loved it, but it was hard…and I made next to nothing!

Becky @ lovetobeinthekitchen · April 30, 2014 at 7:49 am

I am so grateful for the wonderful teachers I had! They each impacted my life in a different way.

Maria Oller · April 30, 2014 at 8:44 am

Great project teachers deserve actually more. My teachers actually helped to shape who I’m

Diane N - Philzendia · April 30, 2014 at 9:00 am

Teachers are the best!

Erinn S · April 30, 2014 at 9:24 am

I loved Estella’s video and a good teacher makes it so much easier on us parents. I have older boys and a 5 year old and the uninvolved teachers make it hard for me to keep my child engaged http://www.parentinghealthy.com/

Lois Alter Mark · April 30, 2014 at 10:29 am

Teachers are definitely unsung heroes. A great teacher can inspire a child in life-changing ways. So great that Office Depot is sponsoring this program.

Heather Lawrence · April 30, 2014 at 11:09 am

We have seen our share of great teachers along the way. **happy sigh**
I wonder if this program is available here in Canada?

Claudia Krusch · April 30, 2014 at 11:20 am

Love your quote and post! As a teacher we should live by it! I wonder if I could refer my son’s Christian school to be benefitted by the program.

Danialle B. @ Mama Chirps · April 30, 2014 at 11:48 am

I never really had a teacher that inspired me to become anything. Instead, I guess my mom inspired me to be a mother. I know it’s what I was meant to do 🙂

Jen V · April 30, 2014 at 12:30 pm

What an inspiring story of how one teacher can make a huge difference in someone’s life! It’s nice that there is a way to give back to the teachers who inspire us.

Pam · April 30, 2014 at 1:02 pm

Great teachers can definitely change people’s lives. Teachers Change Lives sounds like an awesome organization!

Danielle · April 30, 2014 at 1:55 pm

I love the story you shared! It’s amazing how impactful teachers can be!!

Robin {Mom Foodie} · April 30, 2014 at 2:26 pm

The quote is so true. The best teachers inspire you to learn beyond what they teach.

Aly Mashrah · April 30, 2014 at 3:12 pm

Teachers are so important and more people need to realize that. I was so inspired by so many of my teachers.

Joanna Sormunen · April 30, 2014 at 3:21 pm

What an incredible cause! I agree, teacher’s change lives! And I loved the video about Estelle. What an amazing person!

Amy Desrosiers · April 30, 2014 at 3:56 pm

I am a teacher on a break to be home with my kids. I am not sure what the future brings but I’m enjoying staying home.

Brittnei · April 30, 2014 at 5:34 pm

Such a wonderful story! I love inspiring people. I enjoyed watching movies like Remember the Titans and Coach Carter because of this love! 🙂 I think my Spanish professors inspired me with Spanish. They seemed to be impressed with how fast I learned it, but their encouragement pushed me to become fluent. 🙂

Debi · April 30, 2014 at 5:52 pm

A great teacher can change a kids outlook on a subject. We need to fully support our teachers

Sandra · April 30, 2014 at 6:47 pm

I love the quote. My husband is a teacher and he is inspiration!

Shauna · April 30, 2014 at 7:20 pm

I saw my Little Man’s teacher at Walmart one day with a cart full of supplies. She said that it gets frustrating mid-year when the kids run out of things.

Mama to 5 BLessings · April 30, 2014 at 7:49 pm

That’s awesome! Teachers make a huge difference, it’s ashamed they are not always recognized, Office Depot does a great job honoring teachers even homeschoolers like me!

mommy2jam · April 30, 2014 at 8:36 pm

Yes I had a teacher who inspired me while I was in school. His name was Mr. Hoffman he was the best civics teacher in the world. He really cared for his students.

Maggie @ The Love Nerds · April 30, 2014 at 8:46 pm

Being a teacher is so hard. I had to leave for health reasons, but I try to do little things for my teacher friends whenever I can.

Liz Mays · April 30, 2014 at 9:40 pm

Within each person’s school years, they probably encounter just one or two of these gems. What a difference they make though!

Lexie Lane · May 1, 2014 at 9:35 am

What an awesome quote. It’s really sad that there aren’t too many teachers like this though. Some are just in it for the paycheck. It’s nice when you find some really good ones.

Catherine L. · May 1, 2014 at 12:58 pm

I had a few great teachers! It’s amazing how they can make an impact on your life.

Rachee · May 4, 2014 at 6:40 pm

I am not a teacher but work with children and I hope I inspire. This post really makes me think about how I need to adjust HOW I work!

Danielle @ We Have It All · May 4, 2014 at 8:36 pm

I love that top quote! Very true! And I didn’t know Office Depot was doing this, great to know!

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