Meet 10 more people nominated with our thanks for Black Teacher Appreciation Day. Read what was written about their impact in the classroom:

Mr. Jared Brooks, Washington DC (multiple nominations): "Jared is amazing with children. He is passionate about making a positive change with the future generation. He is very kind and genuine."

"He has inspired me to want to help people. He was always there for me when I needed it. His outgoing personality is what made me look up to him."

Mr. Jenorris Flynn, Houston, Texas (multiple nominations): "He has created a platform where his students feel comfortable talking to him on any level. He seems to make educating the students engaging."

"This teacher inspired me by being an outcast, being a leader, and following your dreams"

Ms. Jolita Dural Lafayette, LA: "Ms. Jay believed in me even when I didn’t fully believe in myself yet. Her encouragement, patience, and high expectations pushed me to work harder, think bigger, and become a better version of myself, and I’m truly thankful for the impact she’s had on my life. She really is amazing."

Ms. Judith Clayton, Portsmouth, VA: "My mom is the reason I am a great teacher. I have watched her for 30 years be a light to children, families, and her coworkers. She is not only the best in the classroom, but she is the best life teacher!

After 30 years, my mom is finally retiring from the classroom. No one knows the struggle my mom had to go through as a special education teacher, a good teacher. Organizations don’t always know how to show appreciation and gratitude to those who go to work daily, on time, do what is asked, actually teaches the children, actually does full lesson plans, compliant IEPS and prays and encourages her coworkers. I’m so glad we serve a God that sees our service and sacrifice and organizations like yours."

Ms. Karen Wallace, Pleasant Garden, NC: "I am thankful for Karen Wallace because I've seen her give tirelessly to her students. She cares in a way that I have not seen. She maintains relationships with students and families long after they have left her class. She was my mentor teacher."

Ms. Kashonda Lawrence, New Haven, CT: "Mrs. Kashonda sparked my curiosity about learning by making every day feel like an adventure, and that encouragement shaped who I have become. I am thankful for her warmth, patience, and creativity she brought into the classroom, because it made preschool feel like a place where I belonged."

Ms. Katrina Patterson, Los Angeles, CA: "Mrs. Patterson loves all of her students and works hard to ensure they have what they need to succeed. She started our school's Crown Love Braiding Club to teach students how to braid and to celebrate the beauty of Black hair."

Ms. Kaylah Blount, Kinston, NC: "I’m thankful for Ms. Blount because she made math make sense in a way no one else ever did and always took the time to break it down until I got it. She pushed me to believe in myself, and because of her, I’m more confident and don’t give up as easily when things get hard.

Ms. Blount goes above and beyond for her students every single day, not just academically but personally as well. She creates a classroom where we feel supported, challenged, and valued, and that makes a real difference in how we show up and learn."

Ms. Kennedy Gardner, Los Angeles, CA: "I am thankful for Ms. Kennedy because she builds relationships with her students, consistently shows up for them, and positively impacts their learning. She is a reflective and collaborative educator who we love having on our team."

Ms. Keziah Ridgeway, Philadelphia, PA: "Keziah has inspired me to teach Philadelphia students through the framework of trauma-informed pedagogy. The cultural realities of BIPOC students in the city often go overlooked in institutions and classrooms, a flaw Keziah often draws attention to. For this reason, she goes the extra mile to carefully conduct research that is culturally responsive to the experiences of her students and the history of Philadelphia's urban and racially troubled landscape to ensure her lessons and attitude toward the students build empathetic leaders who resist negative stereotypes. She also organizes trips to Temple University, bringing her class to visit different departments to bridge the gap of Black students in college/University."