Teachers are some of the most important people on the planet. And I am not just saying that because my mom is a teacher. Being tasked with educating future generations is no small responsibility. For that insanely significant role, teachers should be paid much more than they are. Almost everyone I know has at least one story of a wonderful thing a teacher did for them that they will never forget.
My first-grade teacher sent me home with book after book after book once she realized I was a reader. My second-grade teacher invited us to his wedding! Really! We thought we were so special! There are countless other stories like this that people all over the world have and will cherish forever. The people of Twitter were recently asked to share them, and oh boy, did they ever! These stories of life-changing teachers will warm your heart, brighten your day, and maybe make you want to write to an old teacher of yours to thank them for everything they did for you. I personally think that's a great idea.
Chasten Buttigieg is a junior high school teacher and the husband of presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg.
What’s one of the nicest things a teacher has ever done for you? What made a lasting impression? #TeacherTalkTuesday— Chasten Buttigieg (@Chasten Buttigieg)1553608326.0
His own story is of a teacher who gave him a "safe space" when he needed one.
For me, my high school drama teacher knew I needed a safe space. She let me “hide” with her in the auditorium when… https://t.co/6YbXY3vbDx— Chasten Buttigieg (@Chasten Buttigieg)1553608515.0
A punching bag
@Chas10Buttigieg When I was in second grade, my parents were getting a divorce. My teacher took me aside and said i… https://t.co/3lDJhKsTqr— Xennials for Mayor Pete (@Xennials for Mayor Pete)1553609899.0
A new plan
@Chas10Buttigieg I wasn’t doing well in a class & my teacher asked me “What can I be doing better for you?” That wa… https://t.co/oXV5EmF3nK— Zoë Loza (@Zoë Loza)1553608944.0
An audience
@Chas10Buttigieg In 5th grade, I told my teacher that my brother and I were going to put on a stunt show in our cul… https://t.co/LVox55dJMD— The Non-Seditious Goat (@The Non-Seditious Goat)1553609383.0
Information, not fear
@Chas10Buttigieg I was a junior in HS when 9/11 happened. My American Studies teacher stopped classes for a week so… https://t.co/Ozv23tjmNf— happy coup year (@happy coup year)1553610610.0
Scholarship
@Chas10Buttigieg When my favorite teacher was planning a trip for high school students to Europe, she knew I desper… https://t.co/lXU8QEdMaZ— eve from arkansas (@eve from arkansas)1553704496.0
Space away
Teachers who understand that some kids just don't thrive in the environment of the classroom deserve such praise. Instead of trying to mold kids to your plan, let them learn the way they learn best.Not good enough
@Chas10Buttigieg Oddly enough a coach telling me I wasn't good enough to make his college team impacted me greatly.… https://t.co/oGilHpfE69— Chris Ulmer (SBSK) (@Chris Ulmer (SBSK))1553609318.0
Encouraging words
@Chas10Buttigieg The first adult I came out to was my high school librarian. I wrote her a letter. The next day, sh… https://t.co/b0Gl1vcK0H— Joshua Langley 💜💚💛 (@Joshua Langley 💜💚💛)1553609227.0
Surrogate mother
@Chas10Buttigieg @PeteButtigieg The beautiful woman who was my 6th grade teacher prevented me from killing myself i… https://t.co/SyGitirxXM— PLEASE STAY HOME. THANKS. (@PLEASE STAY HOME. THANKS.)1553611209.0
Defuser
It takes a lot for a teacher to go against another teacher in front of a student, but this was such an important and admirable move by this Latin teacher.Chemistry spark
@Chas10Buttigieg I was also convinced I'd never have a use for chemistry since I was dead set on being a linguist.… https://t.co/VcHkbMmVrH— Leah Wood (@Leah Wood)1553608805.0
New backpack
@Chas10Buttigieg So many things but in second grade, my teacher Mrs. Richardson bought me a Winnie the Pooh book ba… https://t.co/lV5TBAhFX5— Lindsay (@Lindsay)1553620447.0
The giver...of books
I had a couple of these teachers too. That was so important to me. They helped me become the reader (and writer) I am today!Lunch partner
@Chas10Buttigieg Mrs. Mesheau - 6th grade - saw I was being bullied at lunch, so once a week, she would grab me in… https://t.co/TxzwJDe8CA— TalkEquality (@TalkEquality)1553609268.0
Local politics
@Chas10Buttigieg I had an AP Government teacher who basically required us to get involved in some way in the 2008 N… https://t.co/JeOecb0M0e— Jordan Meehan 🏳️🌈 (@Jordan Meehan 🏳️🌈)1553608483.0
Essential book
@Chas10Buttigieg @PeteButtigieg My 5th grade teacher Mrs. Wooley stayed after school with me to help me write a boo… https://t.co/LhAtTbSnSy— Benjamin Dewey (@Benjamin Dewey)1553609779.0
Doodle artist
@Chas10Buttigieg Howard Pomranka was the most inspiring teacher in my high school. Caught me doodling in class once… https://t.co/jQPkHaUBy0— Dan McClellan (@Dan McClellan)1553610492.0
Big kid side of the library
@Chas10Buttigieg Miss Wolf took me to the big kids side of the library in third grade and opened up a whole new world of reading for me.— Betsy Hodges (@Betsy Hodges)1553608425.0
Straight up
@Chas10Buttigieg My favorite teacher was straight up with me during junior year. Reminded me that I needed to focus… https://t.co/yR8g0WBl5R— Jenna Lenore (@Jenna Lenore)1553612922.0
Encouraged STEM classes
@Chas10Buttigieg @PeteButtigieg Encouraged STEM classes when STEM and women weren’t all the rage. I had a 30 yr car… https://t.co/aixWRiYcgc— Connie (@Connie)1553609645.0
Passion for learning
This is so wonderful! Many of these stories are about elementary or middle school teachers, but this person was already 18 when they met the teacher who would change their life.Extra support
@Chas10Buttigieg Cassie Price, my speech teacher called me to her office every day after school for two weeks to he… https://t.co/WpHOQdga8b— Adam (@Adam)1553608631.0
Shoulder to cry on
Sometimes, the story doesn't have to do with academia at all. This teacher was just a pillar of emotional support for her student, and that meant so much.Dimes and quarters
@Chas10Buttigieg When I was 10 back in 1970, once a week, I would clean the blackboards and my Grade 5 teacher woul… https://t.co/vzOcLLVhOw— Patricia Williams (@Patricia Williams)1553610807.0
Handmade flower
@Chas10Buttigieg When I was in grade three the teacher put stickers on all our final exam papers but ran out when… https://t.co/1RonbWTfkq— Collette (@Collette)1553610027.0
No bullying
@Chas10Buttigieg I grew up in the south. I was out and comfortable being gay. My Geometry teacher in High school we… https://t.co/jVOXobolQq— Jim (@Jim)1553608587.0
Sincere apology
@Chas10Buttigieg An English teacher wrote me a handwritten apology & two-page unsolicited recommendation letter for… https://t.co/m25LZ4e3cJ— Ben Philippe (@Ben Philippe)1553609839.0
Important work
@Chas10Buttigieg My English professor could see I was struggling and in the closet, so she assigned me queer poets… https://t.co/lCjOPSJ53x— Matthew (@Matthew)1553614378.0