More budget cuts coming, school closings in Chicago, teachers recounting to Diane Ravitch about pressures to narrow the curriculum and neglect kids’ real needs. So it becomes still more important to tell the stories of what great teaching can do — both to stress to the public the nature and value of meaningful education, and to maintain our own morale. There are great teachers shining a light in these darkening days and we need to hear their stories. So here are links to three.

First, an industrial tech teacher in Decorah, Iowa, who guided students to combine science learning with community service. The students were observing eagles, and found to their horror that several were electrocuted when perched on high-voltage electric cables. The students constructed safer perches which the electric utility is installing.

Second, watch a TEDx talk by Stephen Ritz, an intense 6th grade teacher in the South Bronx whose students have developed urban gardens in classrooms, on roofs, in office buildings, and empty lots, and sell the produce to promote healthy eating in their area, as well as to become savvy entrepreneurs themselves.

And here’s Samuel Reed in Philadelphia. The video is a few years old, but he’s applying for a grant now to create an artistic and literary cafe at his middle school.

No matter what the obstacles, teachers like this keep doing great things for kids — and the public is learning about them. TEACHERS WHO READ THIS, YOU TOO CAN SHARE YOUR INSPIRATIONS WITH THE WIDER WORLD.