Giving Compass' Take:

• The 74 profiles educators across the US who should be recognized for their successes in their district, or simply for being passionate about improving the lives of children.

• How can we place more emphasis on teachers who are making positive changes for their schools and students? What can nonprofits do to provide them with more resources?

• Want another interesting education-based list? Here are 15 public school districts worth visiting.

From San Diego to San Juan, from Seattle to San Antonio, we’ve spent the year traversing the country in search of innovative schools and inspiring student breakthroughs. Along the way, we’ve met hundreds of inspiring educators who are lifting up their students and their communities. Here are a few of the standouts from 2018.

  1. Teacher of the Year Mandy Manning, Spokane. Manning, a teacher of refugee and immigrant students in Washington state, plans to spend her term as Teacher of the Year encouraging schools to give students and their teachers a way to explore new experiences and build a stronger community.
  2. Co-Founder Kriste Dragon, Los Angeles. Citizens of the World sets goals to create schools reflective of the local population rather than local school enrollment. The network’s commitment to diversity does not stop with enrolling a diverse student body; diversity is woven throughout the network’s educational model, from pedagogy to parent engagement.
  3. Teacher Ivy Schamis, Parkland. Schamis, who teaches a Holocaust history class at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, likes to make connections between Nazi Germany and current events — and February 14 was no different.

Read the full article about this years impactful teachers at The 74.