I love teachers. They shaped my life. My favorite teachers changed its trajectory. Teachers are unsung heroes. They breathe life into young minds and introduce them to worlds and disciplines and practices they'd never know otherwise. The best of them build safe, nurturing environments of wonder within their classrooms. They do this on their own dime; when that's possible... often, it isn't.
Throughout the years, I've felt the frustration of teacher friends who desired to do something awesome for their students but lacked the resources necessary. And I have since rejoiced with those same friends after DonorsChoose.org was born!
I believe in what DonorsChoose.org is doing and have giddily funded various projects through the years. Each funded project represented a teacher who could breathe a sigh of relief knowing that they had the tools they needed to do the absolute best for their students. But more importantly to me, each funding represented a child whose world was about to be expanded. Expanded, not just by receiving new books or supplies, but by the realization that someone they didn't know and would probably never meet cared enough to make sure that they had what they needed. The idea of caring for others is the beating heart of DonorsChoose.org and that simple idea is life-changing.
The #BestSchoolDay is a celebration of all those amazing teachers and their deserving students. Being a part is my way of saying thank you to the wonderful teachers from my past. It is also an opportunity to let my wonderful hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, know that I see them, I believe in them and I am rooting for them!
Education matters. Teachers who care matter. I hope this magical day of surprise flash funding across the nation is truly the #BestSchoolDay EVER! Being a part has definitely made it so for me!
This post is part of #BestSchoolDay, a national fundraising movement to ensure students have the supplies and opportunities they need to succeed. Visit here to see a map of all the classroom projects being funded and join more than 50 actors, athletes, entrepreneurs and philanthropists in supporting classrooms across America. To join the conversation on Twitter, use the hashtag #BestSchoolDay.