There is a reason most of us only have a favorite teacher from our childhoods and today's nominee, Dawn, is the reason why.  It is because out of the 12 or more teachers we encounter, only one or two are so good - SHINE so bright - that we remember them years and years later. 

Dawn is one of those teachers.  Take a look at what her nominator had to say... 

"Dawn has been teaching for 30+ years and, to this day, is most graduates favorite teacher. She has the ability to create memories for students and their parents. She has a home/school connection journal that really makes parents reflect on their memories and writes these into a weekly question that students complete on the weekends. She makes 2nd grade the most loving, fun, exciting, and memorable grade for her students. She is the creator of the Famous American Wax Museum where 2nd graders do their first real research paper and then actually become their famous American. She is able to make children learn to love reading and to appreciate literature. She does this all with no song and dance and has very little recognition except from the love of her students and their parents. She has the students study business and then actually get a loan from the bank, start a business and then repay the bank and donate the money made to a local charity that the students all decide on. This donation is done in person with the children on a field trip to the charity. These are just a few of the unbelieveable memories that she helps the children create each year. I just want her to have a secret acknowledgement over the summer so that the next decade of 2nd graders continues to get what the past three have."

I'm an educator.  I could go on and on about the urgency of American education to harness the energy and talent of people like Dawn and then to make it multiply - fast and exponentially!  

The Dawn's of the world must be allowed to stand up and scream, "No, the answer is not to lower standards and turn your head while quietly shuffling one underprepared student after another onto the next grade.  No.  It's not the answer because, while we are busy making sure that no child gets left behind, the youth of China and India are becoming more and more competitive.  The answer is to raise standards and then to find teachers who are singularly focused on employing teaching techniques that evoke a love for learning."

Until then, we must make sure that Dawn knows her work is recognized and appreciated.  She is a light in her corner of the world and, at all costs, we must make sure that her light does not burn out.  There is a whole new crop of second graders starting school next fall and we must make sure that at least one classroom-full gets to have their curiosities, passions, and interests unleashed by Dawn.  The future of our country depends on it.

Acknowledging Dawn's contribution is simple:

Write a short note letting Dawn know you appreciate the investment she is making in our future by teaching her heart out for more than 30 years.  Seal it in a yellow envelope - or a white envelope decorated with yellow markers and stickers.  Place the words, "Yellow Envelope Project" in the return address.  Attach a stamp and commit to mailing your envelope before next Saturday when we meet again in honor of another worthy recipient.

Ten minutes and $0.44.  It'll be the best thing you do all weekend.

Shining off until Monday.