RM Bacon Elementary School, Millville, New Jersey

RM Bacon Elementary School, Millville, New Jersey

One summer, Dr. Spike Cook watched the You Matter TEDx Talk and knew he had found his theme for the upcoming school year. He played the talk for faculty and shared You Matter cards and some other ideas. Staff member Leigh Simpson upped the stakes, suggesting an...
Rampart High School, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Rampart High School, Colorado Springs, Colorado

“It was a specific memory or something that we said…..It made us feel really important. Some kids got cards about stuff that happened they thought nobody remembered, and it made them really happy.” This was how one student reacted to receiving one of...
Mott Hall Bridges Academy, Brooklyn, New York

Mott Hall Bridges Academy, Brooklyn, New York

“Who’s influenced you the most in your life?” “My principal, Ms. Lopez.” “How has she influenced you?” “When we get in trouble, she doesn’t suspend us. She calls us to her office and tells us that each time somebody fails out of school, a new jail cell gets built. And...
St. John’s School District, St. Augustine, FL

St. John’s School District, St. Augustine, FL

Sean Farnum is an elementary school teacher in St. Augustine, FL. Near the start of a school year, he “thought of a photo project with pictures of kids holding signs saying things like, “I want to be valued,’ and ’ have a voice.’” He then realized there was no better...
Euclid Elementary School, Mount Prospect, IL

Euclid Elementary School, Mount Prospect, IL

“I will be your teacher this year. We haven’t met yet, but every day this summer I’ve thought about the amazing group of 5th graders that will cross the threshold of my classroom in just a few weeks: I’ve thought about challenging you. I’ve thought about embracing...