It probably didn’t look dramatic. A few moments of extra help when she saw you struggling with an algebra assignment. An encouraging smile when you dared to raise your hand to answer a question. Someone who recognized your potential long before you did. These moments are where real impact lives, and they are the reasons teachers change lives.
For the Discovery Education employees whose stories you’ll read below, that influence didn’t end when the school day did. This Teacher Appreciation Week, we celebrate those who see students not just for who they are, but what they could be.
“In middle school, I was incredibly shy. My language arts teacher, Mrs. Pohlman, put in more effort than any other teacher to get to know each one of us personally. She had us write about ourselves, our families, our dreams, our fears, and then she would write back to us. She taught us how to communicate and got to know us in the process. Thanks to Mrs. Pullman, we all felt safe and confident during middle school.” – Sydnee Chan, Director, Content Marketing
“Ms. Cobb – she knew I loved to read and encouraged me to challenge myself. I was lucky enough to have her as my teacher in 5th grade and in 8th grade. When 8th grade rolled around, the required reading was a book I had already read in 5th grade. She actually took me aside, told me she remembered that I had read that book previously and that we had discussed it, and then allowed me to choose any other book that I wanted as my required reading. I will never forget the impact she had on me then, and the continued impact she has had on my life.” – Lauren Gomez, Senior Subject Matter Expert
“I am a twin, and our parents celebrated our uniqueness. But competition has always run deep. My sister was gifted in art, naturally talented in a way that seemed effortless. She went to college to study art education, while I attended the same college for education with a special education concentration. For the most part, our paths stayed separate. We rarely shared classes, which suited me just fine.
But one year, our schedules collided. We ended up in the same art class for education majors together.
I did not want to be there with her. Sitting next to her only magnified the comparison I already carried with me. Her work was stunning, bold, thoughtful, and skilled. Mine, by comparison, felt embarrassingly simple.
I think our professor noticed what I could not hide. She saw the insecurity before I ever voiced it and took me aside one day to talk. With honesty and kindness, she helped me reframe how I saw myself.
She reminded me that my sister’s talent had not appeared overnight. She had spent six years in art classes throughout middle school and high school and continued taking advanced art courses in college. I had not had that same experience or time in an art classroom. When she looked at my work, she did not see failure. She saw growth. She told me my skills were advanced for the level of exposure I had had.
That conversation stayed with me. It did not suddenly make me an artist, but it gave me something just as important: permission to measure myself by my own journey, not someone else’s.” – Anita Brunson, Instructional Strategy & Design Lead
“In my younger days of elementary, I was extremely shy and quiet, and it was hard for me to read in front of the class or even talk to other students. I don’t remember a lot of the teachers’ names from that time frame, but in 2nd grade, I do remember Ms. Thompson. She really embraced me personally and made me feel comfortable and really made a difference; a turning point in that elementary life to help lead me to who I am today. – Kerri Mason, Educational Partnerships Manager
“Mrs. Cigales, most definitely. She was my high school civic honors, French I & II, and AP Government teacher. We learned about the stock market, were given the opportunity to write to our local politicians, and dove into how to be an engaged member in society. She gave us the tools to be knowledgeable and aware of how the system works, and the role we play. I learned so much in her classroom.” – DeOren Robinson, Growth Marketing Manager
“Miss Chambless sought me out in the ‘quad’ at break time to tell me she wanted me in the AP English class for my senior year. She saw something I did not see and although I had a high learning curve to match skills with the others, she gave me lots of support. I not only passed the AP exam, I went on to get my BA in English Lit and then to be an elementary school teacher who loved to grow writers. I guess I hoped to believe in my students the way she believed in me!” #lifechanging #pivotal – Meggin Verduzco, Senior Curriculum Developer
“Mrs. Holmes, my fourth-grade teacher, was really strict and intimidating. One time, I was supposed to go to my friend Jennifer’s house after school. When I fished around in my backpack for my permission note…it was gone. I wound up forging a note from my mother and handing it to Mrs. Holmes. Even now, I remember the look she gave me. ‘Did you write this note?’ she asked. I shook my head and insisted I had not.
Later that night, wracked with guilt, I broke down and told my mother what happened. She made me call Mrs. Holmes and tell her that I lied! After punching the numbers with shaking hands, my teacher picked up and I explained what I had done.
Her next words meant everything. “Amy, it took an enormous amount of courage to admit to this. It shows integrity. I’m proud of you for telling me the truth.”
Not only have I never forgotten the kindness she showed me, I learned that even when we make big mistakes…we can tell the truth and move forward. That day, she showed me that she wasn’t just a remarkable teacher, but a remarkable human.” – Amy Reiss, Content Marketing Manager
“When I was in 3rd grade, I was very quiet and a rule follower. Miss Chima impacted my life because she encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and show me that learning can be fun. I’ll never forget when she turned our entire classroom into space during our planet unit. Thank you, Ms. Chima.” – Kelly Wilga, Educational Partnerships Manager
“In fourth grade, right after my parents separated, I switched from a fast‑paced private school to public school and suddenly found myself bored and disengaged in class. My teacher noticed immediately. Instead of letting me coast, she went out of her way to pull me into discussions, give me more challenging problems, and actually make use of my curiosity instead of treating it like a distraction. At a time when everything else in my life felt unsettled, she made me feel seen, not just as a student in the room, but as someone worth investing extra effort in.” – Sam Morrissette, Senior SEO Analyst
“Mrs. Van Winkle! 1st grade,1976. We had moved from town to a small county school. I hated school! And here is why.
Prior to the move, I had a teacher who literally said to me, “You will never learn to read, you are not smart, and you will not become anything.” As a 6-year-old…I’m sure the words were different. But looking back, that’s what I remember was said to me.
I spent hours a day in a cardboard secluded area in back of the room. She ignored me, and I ignored everyone!
Fast forward to February of first grade. I still can’t read and I have no will to learn! In comes Mrs. Van Winkle. At my age of 6…. she was old! White hair. Polyester dresses and wore nylons. And leather shoes! She was a grandma! Or at least I thought that!
She had an old oil drum that had been scrubbed and lined with fabric and pillows. The whole front was cut out so it was a “hiding chair” to read. (I am quite sure that would not be approved nowadays, to have an old oil drum in a classroom!) I loved it there. Because remember, I’d been hiding all year!
She coaxed me out. She gave up her lunch time. She gave up any free time she had, which in rural Montana schools you don’t have prep time, so her giving up what little time she did have was huge!
She believed in me. She let me hide when I needed to. And she let me shine when she needed me to.
Fast forward again, to 1998! I’m getting married. I’ve been corresponding with Mrs. Van Winkle for years! She sends me cards and letters telling me about going on a hot air balloon ride for her 80th birthday. And always putting stamps and stickers on the envelopes! But guess who is sitting in the audience that day as we said our vows? And in June of 2000, when our son was born, guess who was at the hospital the next day?
Teachers make lasting memories. They make lasting relationships. And they change lives.
-Allison Nys, Partner Success Manager
