Berit Gordon is an author and coach of teachers from across the country. Her book, The Joyful Teacher, is a collection of tried-and-true strategies that empower teachers and help them create an even greater impact in their classroom. Her other book, No More Fake Reading, offers solutions for boosting stamina, joy, and skills among adolescent readers. Whether running workshops, leading coaching sessions or working in classrooms, Berit strives to empower teachers so they can empower students. Her sincerity and passion for this endeavor are evident within the first few minutes of this interview.

Jennie Brown has 800 students. Not in her lifetime, not in the last decade, right now, each and every week. Jennie teaches Elementary Music in Bluffdale, UT. She is a passionate teacher and learner, always looking for the next amazing thing to learn. Moving from the grade level classroom to the Music classroom has allowed Jennie to embrace Joy as a daily practice. Jennie uses team building activities, movement, singing, instruments, dance, and music games to consistently help students experience the joy of their childhoods and just listening to her talk about it will make you want to do the same, no matter what age and what content you teach.

Catherine Baker, my heart warms up at the sound of her name. If you knew Catherine, you’d know exactly what I mean. She smiles and lights up the room with her goodness. She’s kind and sweet, thoughtful and smart, and when she talks with you her energy and her eyes make you feel like you might be the most important person in the world.

Catherine has seen heartache in recent years. While some might sour as a result, it seems she’s allowed herself to become even more tender, more empathetic, more in love with the work of her heart than maybe she ever has been. Her resilience in our profession offers us inspiration to take the next step, and the next one, and the next one. Because she believes in us. And she makes us believe in us too.