As educators, you have the power to change your students’ lives. Here are just a few of the real and literary teachers and mentors that went above and beyond for their students.
#1 The Freedom Writers Diary
When idealistic first-year teacher Erin Gruwell started teaching at Wilson High School, she was assigned a class of students written off by the education system as “unteachable.” Gruwell developed a curriculum centered on Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl and Zlata’s Diary: A Child’s Life in Sarajevo and brought her students together as they drew parallels between these diaries and their own lives. Inspired to pick up a pen, this class of “unteachables” became unstoppable writers, activists, and critical thinkers.
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#2 The Story of My Life
This is the true story of Helen Keller and how she overcame the challenges that come with being blind and deaf with the help of her extraordinary teacher, Anne Sullivan. The Story of My Life is the deeply moving memoir of a remarkable woman and her inspiring teacher.
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#3 Tuesdays with Morrie
Acclaimed sportswriter Mitch Albom writes about the life lessons learned from his weekly visits with friend and mentor, Morrie Schwartz. Over the months of their sessions, the terminally ill Morrie teaches his friend how to live.
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#4 Wonder
Wonder is the remarkable story of an ordinary boy, his extraordinary circumstances, and his teacher’s determination to make 5th grade the best school year yet. August’s interactions with his family, his classmates, and the school faculty will inspire your students. Readers will root for August in his quest for self-acceptance and friendship.
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#5 The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Charlie, a shy, withdrawn freshman struggling to navigate high school and his depression, begins a journey of self-discovery and healing with support from friends and encouragement from his English teacher. Mr. Anderson, or Bill as he prefers his students to call him, recognizes Charlie’s intelligence and talents as a writer. Bill is not only an amiable teacher and mentor to Charlie, but also a trusted friend.
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#6 A Lesson Before Dying
When Jefferson, an illiterate black man, is sentenced to death for a murder he did not commit, his godmother convinces Grant Wiggins, a university-educated teacher at a black plantation school, to be his mentor. What develops is a remarkable, transformative story for the teacher, the student, and the reader of this powerful novel.
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#7 The View from Saturday
Written by E.L. Konigsburg, The View from Saturday is an award-winning children’s novel about a middle school teacher, her class, and their incredible journey to winning a state-wide academic competition. Enjoy this humorous tale with your students as they read about unlikely champions and the importance of working together.
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#8 Speak
After a traumatic incident at a party forces her to call the police, high school freshman Melinda’s only source of support is her art teacher. Mr. Freeman creates a safe space for Melinda to come to terms with what happened to her by exploring her emotions through art. Anderson’s honest and pithy prose lends a healthy amount of believability to the characters in Speak, a novel your students will find meaningful and deeply moving.
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#9 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Three extraordinary faculty members at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry helped earn the first book in J.K. Rowling’s fantasy series its place on this list. Give your students the magical opportunity to become a wizard or a witch within the pages of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and don’t forget to highlight the special relationships Harry develops with Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and Rubeus Hagrid.
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#10 Bridge to Terabithia
Katherine Paterson’s award-winning novel is known for its absorbing plot, emotional twists, and realistic characters, including one very unconventional music teacher. Unique and bohemian, Miss Edmunds inspires her students and encourages them to express their individuality—an invaluable lesson to practice in and out of the classroom.
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Who are some of your favorite teachers in literature? Leave a comment below!