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A special education teacher who taught a 14-year-old with Down Syndrome to read. Remotely and during the pandemic.
An art teacher who helped a student come to terms with her father’s death.
A second grade teacher who moved out of her home so she could educate kids in person.
Every year teachers touch countless students’ lives with inspiring lessons, heartfelt advice and ice cream parties.
This year, those gestures have taken on extra meaning — and many teachers have risen to the challenges posed by the pandemic, putting in extra time and energy for their students.
To mark Teacher Appreciation Week, The 74 talked to parents and students around the country about the educators who have made a difference for them over the past year. To read about why parent Stephanie Reyna nominated KIPP Destiny Elementary School teacher Shameem Patel, and stories of other amazing teachers, click here.
