'You Made A Difference' Campaign Thanks Teachers

In recognition of Labor Day, we'd like to draw your attention to a new campaign that focuses on the work that teachers do, and the ubiquity of their influence.

The "You Made A Difference" campaign is an effort to let teachers know how they have made a difference in former students' lives by allowing those former students to thank their teachers by writing a note or uploading a public video to Facebook or YouTube. The campaign was launched by HuffPost Education blogger Scott Janssen, who in June wrote a post arguing that Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake's Bad Teacher movie wrongly blames the plight and failure of American schools on poor performing teachers.

The post received impassioned responses, and the "You Made A Difference" campaign was born, set in motion, Janssen says, by HuffPost readers. Videos so far have come from entertainment show "Extra" host Jerry Penacoli, comic strip "Speed Bump" creator Dave Coverly and Grammy Award winning producer Narada Michael Walden, just to name a few.

Here are just a selection of videos from the initiative. You can see more on YouTube or submit your own through Facebook.

Comments

[Stephen Seidel]

04:06 PM on 09/06/2011

Our teachers are vital to the success of our nation. Thank you to Leslie Needleman and Scott Janssen for making a difference, too! I support your efforts and am willing to support in any what that I can. -@StephenSeidel, RenegadeReporting.com

"Thanks Mr. Perry, You Made A Difference!"

[megwright]

03:23 PM on 09/06/2011

My daughter-in-law teaches what's referred to as "severe" special ed. About 12 years ago our school district decided to offer classes for high school students who were so disabled that they'd never been able to go to school. My d.i.l. averages about 7 students per class, with two paras. They adapt the computers to whatever degree or type of mobility the kids have, so they can type on the computer by blowing into a straw, twitching a little finger, or pushing a lever with an elbow.

For the most part these kids had never been able to communicate their thoughts and feellings to their families. After they were able to type and express themselves, they were ecstatic, and many of their parents were moved to tears. So kudos to my daughter-in-law for the love and effort she puts into making these students' (and their families') lives better. It's a job very few of us would be able to handle.

[carmenalex]

01:19 PM on 09/06/2011

And Mrs. G...because of you and many others, I too became a teacher.

[carmenalex]

01:17 PM on 09/06/2011

Thank you Mrs. Gonzalez.....for helping me realize my attitude makes a world of difference, and because instead of getting angry at me for sneaking novels behind my math book during class, you promised me my own novel for every math quiz I aced! And you came through each and every time!

[Djay0252]

11:22 AM on 09/06/2011

Teachers are GREAT (most of them) The best thing they taught me was the desire to go out and learn on my own. I graduated from college at the age of 45 ( no it did not take me 27 years to graduate only 4) and I would go back for my Master's at 60 if I had the money. The problem today is that no matter how hard teachers try; the kids are only interested in finding new ways to get high, "making the scene" with the lastest fashions and texting on their cell phones.

[Michell Guzmn Talbot]

10:40 AM on 09/06/2011

As I proudly said to the teachers of my two little boys. I really look up to you guys. Thank you for my education and thank you for taking care of my children. And screw Michelle Bachmann.

[december30]

11:44 AM on 09/06/2011

Amen, Amen.

[carmenalex]

01:18 PM on 09/06/2011

Super fanned for that and your micro bio!

[scoobanchi]

10:23 AM on 09/06/2011

Mr. Shaffer, thank you for instilling in me a love for books and letting me recognize a kind soul even in the fourth grade. I will never forget you. And Mr. Wilcox, you taught me that science is fun and all around us, even when we're not looking for it. I appreciate everything my teachers have done to help me better myself and thus better my world and those around me. Thank you.

[carbonware]

09:59 PM on 09/05/2011

I had several great teachers over the years and a couple of amazing ones. One was Richard Otey of Edison High School in HB, CA. He was a mentor and father figure for many of us. When he retired many of his past students turned out flying in from all over the world to pay tribute and the LA Times ran a great story about this wonderful teacher.

For me I don't think I would have survived my family's problems without his guidance. And he put trust in me and encouraged my dreams in a way no one else in my life had ever done.

Many of his students went on to do great things from the foundations he gave us, more than just a teacher, Mr Otey was a great mentor and friend and inspired us all to push our limits and talents and find our best selves.

Thank you Richard Otey for caring so much!

[Eric Mann]

09:21 PM on 09/05/2011

What a great thing...I hope I get one.

[USHistoryMan]

08:59 PM on 09/05/2011

One of my greatest mistakes was my failure to thank those teachers in my life, from elementary school through graduate school, who had such a positive impact on my life. Most of them are dead now (on account of I'm old), but I've made a point of thanking those who are still around. I've been a teacher since 1975, and still going, and hope they are somewhere (some teachers' lounge somewhere) and they know. Mrs. Hobson, Miss Kiethly, Mr. Roach, Miss Henneke, Tom K.: Thank You!

[stopnlisten]

08:35 PM on 09/05/2011

I'm a teacher and a parent. Yes, many of us have both roles! I know the importance of the job related duties on both sides and I raised three children ALONE. It can be done and the parent side was harder and more rewarding as long as you don't give up.

[Michell Guzmn Talbot]

10:41 AM on 09/06/2011

I really look up to you guys. Thank you for being a teacher.

[SoCalifTeacher]

08:06 PM on 09/05/2011

Yesterday a parent blogged, "I pay a lot of taxes to the schools so I don't have to be bothered with my kid's problems." On behalf of teachers, thanks (for nothing).

[sydneymoon]

08:11 PM on 09/05/2011

I am sure the child has noted the indifference.That is an incredibly sad thing for a parent to say.

[stopnlisten]

08:33 PM on 09/05/2011

If the kid doesn't want to be there and the parent doesn't care then see how the parent feels if they are responsible for what the child does at home 24/7.

[Katefromthebeststate]

11:38 PM on 09/05/2011

Unfortunately, we can't do our job to it's fullest without parental support. I wish all parents would realize this.

[foresure]

06:54 PM on 09/05/2011

How about chewing on this.

Parents and home environment are the explanation for 95% of what happens in school. (I have nothing to back it up, except lay observation).

With leaps and bounds in technology, teachers will become obsolete in 50 year. (Again nothing to back it up).

[eceresa]

07:12 PM on 09/05/2011

There's a lot of research to back up your first observation, though the percentage would vary a bit. Parents are usually put at about a third, student at about a third, and all in school factors taken together much less than either.

As for the second observation, people probably said that upon the invention of the book.

[foresure]

07:59 PM on 09/05/2011

eceresa:

I cannot disagree with what you have said.

Actually I do believe that the invention of cheap printing did make the lecture method, without lab or practicum, obsolete.

Most colleges and universities are 500 or so years behind the time. Most professors either read directly from the book, or read directly from their notes.

Foreign languages, to the best of my knowledge, are still taught with the book/lecture method. No wonder Americans are afraid of foreign languages.

I remember my biology book, from many years ago, that had overlays in it, so you could do a virtual dissetion of the frog. It is the only text I remember from high school.

There is a worn out cliche of education, that the teacher should think more about assisting in the learning process, than "teaching". Maybe we will evolve to that.

I appreciate your response. I clicked favorite.

[hottingers]

07:45 PM on 09/05/2011

Parents do less and less for their children's learning experience every year. If you were older and had more experience you would know that. Parents do not want to have to do anything with their child's learning experience and some of the worst are the people with more money. And you are right you have no proof and no experience to make your observations.

[foresure]

08:15 PM on 09/05/2011

hottingers:

I notice that you agree with what I am saying, but could not resist offering an insult.

Which by the way, is incorrect on both scores. I am a senior, who has travelled the world, taught, and had a twenty year career outside of education

I guess it's just your XX chromosomes that force you to throw insults for no reason.

Keep up you good work.

[foresure]

08:18 PM on 09/05/2011

hottingers:

Correct me if I am wrong. I am fairly certain you are female. Are you also a teacher?

[hottingers]

06:45 PM on 09/05/2011

The problem is that so many believe that they did it themselves. NOBODY IS A SELF-MADE PERSON. Everybody had some help, somebody that stayed a customer when if they didn't the person would have gone out of business. The fallacy that Americans tell themselves is that they can be self-made successes. And if they thank anybody it is an old white man who sits on a cloud.

[ckmyers2]

05:34 PM on 09/05/2011

My Husband is a Teacher and he serves his country-teaching is definately under valued in this country. He teaches high school and he has kids that say they hate his class only to come back after being in the real world and completely appreciate him later. So here's to you my dear! Also to Mr. Goldfarb a community college Math teacher, you teach the hardest subject the easiest way! You were right about where the economy was heading back in the 90's ;) To Mrs. Jost at Westside Elem-the most amazing 3rd grade teacher I have seen! The world is just a better place with you in it!

[wonketteRAWKS]

07:40 PM on 09/05/2011

Awesome!

[Michell Guzmn Talbot]

10:43 AM on 09/06/2011

Your husband is my hero. I really look up to teachers. Thank you to all of you...