Dear Teachers Speak Up friends–

I’ve just posted a third story from a teacher, on my Patch.com blog. Chicago teacher Robert Plonka describes the power of graphic novels vs classics in the classroom. We’re not out to denigrate the great literature of the past. But as Plonka explains so vividly, students also need to engage with reading that directly reflects the lives they are struggling to live. Please read it, comment, and pass on the word about it.

But now I need more stories!

Please send me your tale about making a difference with a student or a class. Keep it anonymous, if you need to. Email it to [email protected] or send it as a comment to this post. Or here’s a great alternative: interview an outstanding teacher who is a colleague, or someone you learned from as a kid. We need to tell these stories to the public, to help them appreciate what we do for their children.