The Teacher Project

The Student Whose Cockiness Tested My Patience

An overconfident teen felt that he was above math class—until he needed his teacher’s help.

• Sarah Carr and Mallory Falk
• December 15, 2017

The Student Who Challenged My Teaching On Race

Ismael Jimenez inspired his student to think more deeply—and talk more openly—about identity, and she inspired him to become a better, more patient teacher.

• Sarah Carr and Mallory Falk
• November 16, 2017

The Student Who Wasn't Afraid of Being Sad

Jessica Carlson wasn’t sure what to do with an angry student who dismissed her sunny exterior—but reconnecting years later revealed that they’d each been hiding a similar secret.

• Mike Elsen-Rooney and Mallory Falk
• November 2, 2017

The Student Whose Silence Transformed My Teaching

Kathleen Whalen thought she’d mastered managing her chaotic classroom—until she met a kindergartener who simply wouldn’t talk.

• Aditi Malhotra and Mallory Falk
• October 18, 2017

The Student Who Taught Me to Grow Up

Matt Weiss was the “fun teacher,” but one of his most determined students came to school in search of a more serious learning experience.

• Mallory Falk
• September 14, 2017

The Student Who Broke My Heart

New Orleans educator Michael Ricks reflects on a charismatic student he lost to violence.

• Sarah Carr and Mallory Falk
• August 31, 2017

The Student Who Raged Against My Politics

Ashley Lamb-Sinclair and Connor Cummings clashed over their views. Years later, they came to an understanding on what they were really fighting about.

• Sarah Carr and Mallory Falk
• August 17, 2017

The Student Who Almost Got Away

As a young teacher, Ingrid Chung could relate to her seventh-grade student Kayshaun Brown. If it weren’t for their connection, the bright but troubled student may have dropped out of school.

• Zoë Kirsch and Mallory Falk
• August 3, 2017

The Student Who Got Away

Part four of our audio series features the author Tracy Kidder and the teacher Chris Zajac reflecting on a troubled student who was ultimately sent to an alternative school.

• Sarah Carr and Mallory Falk
• July 6, 2017

The Student Who Hated My Happiness

Part three of our audio series brings the high-school English teacher Ann Neary’s story about the student Monique Beckford, who thought her optimism was an act.

• Sarah Carr and Mallory Falk
• June 22, 2017

The Student Who Pushed Me to Anger—and Understanding

In the second installment of our audio series, the high-school English teacher Ray Salazar describes his embarrassment after losing his temper in the classroom with Salina Richter.

• Sarah Carr and Mallory Falk
• June 8, 2017

The Student I Couldn't Stand

Matthew Dicks was in his first year teaching second grade when he met Brandon.

• Sarah Carr and Mallory Falk
• May 25, 2017