<p>My 19 year old son to this day talks about his 4th grade teacher. It was a man. To a boy, that’s HUGE. A role model other than dad or grandpa - a rarity! This teacher also had very creative ways of engaging boys academically. He ‘got’ the way boys were often bored by reading materials created usually by women and for girls. He made all kids go out for drama, boys in particular. He made everyone perform short Shakespeare scenes. He lured the more reluctant boys with scenes that also involved fighting 
He taught even reluctant readers to love books by introducing them to quality anime and superb, original graphic novels. He was a walking encyclopedia of the best, most engaging books and movies for kids. Most weren’t award winners because he found too many award winners too politically correct or didactic for kids. He knew kids wanted drama not lessons in their pleasure reading. He’d take groups of interested kids, often on weekends, to see Miyazaki movies which in turn got them interested in Japan, in Asia, in totally different cultures. He’d have these totally serious discussions with them about these movies and books. </p>
<p>I wish every child had a teacher that influential.</p>