Rafe Esquith teaches at Hobart Elementary School, a large urban public school, in Los Angeles. The school is located in an economically disadvantaged area where the majority of students are second language learners. Although most of these children come from poverty stricken and immigrant families, there lives are transformed in room 56. Many of Esquith's students willing start there school day at 6:30 am and stay until dark. Within this time, Esquith inspires them to reach their fullest potential and reach unforeseen heights. From performing Shakespearean plays, playing in a rock n' roll band, attending baseball games, traveling, meeting grade level expectations and beyond on state tests, to learning how to take pride in what you do, make decisions, and be selfless in life, Rafe changes the lives of these children and makes them fall in love learning.
In my opinion he is the most influential classroom teacher in the country, and has mastered the ability to create a magical and life-changing learning experiences in his classroom. I hope one day to be half the teacher that he has become. Reading his books, listening to his stories, and keeping in tuned with his websites, his inspiring attitude touches my heart and makes me want to to reach beyond things I never thought possible. I wish the world had more Rafe Esquith's to go around.
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