I am a mother of three: 24 (girl), 22(girl) and 17(boy). As a stay-at-home mother, I have been very active in my children?s schools and saw firsthand what successful teachers did to connect with their students. I had the opportunity to help out in my children?s elementary classrooms, to be a volunteer middle school track coach, and math tutor, and was a Girl Scout Leader for 5 years. Through these experiences, I have learned the impact teachers can have on our children.

Teachers have the...