A simple idea… - Smarter Every Day 284

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Warm Regards,
Destin

[@smartereveryday]

My teachers are wonderful. I’d love to hear your best story about a teacher who helped you. #ThankYourTeacher

[@jobberryfrith8831]

Hey 🎉 I like the content just remember live life,love your self and just do it

[@elendiastarman]

Mr. Willis in 3rd-5th grade was the one teacher that made math *fun* for me, and it has been my lifelong first love. I have a BS in Applied Math but to this day I still greatly enjoy recreational mathematics and I constantly play around with patterns and games.

[@krater_void]

We need to thank our more , teachers like you ❤❤❤

[@theuneducatedbiologist9637]

I had a spanish teacher in 9th grade named Señor Rankin. He taught me that learning can be fun and easy. He also taught me that there’s a time and place to be silly.

[@LucenProject]

For those of us not in the know, what is Tag Class 6:41?

[@jasontucker4474]

First hand knowledge...since I was in Mrs Teague's Trig class with you (the Tiger Tales yearbook was my senior year). You were always fun to be around and definitely one of the smartest people in the class. Glad to see the Lord has blessed you and you are doing so well. Love the channel!

[@smartereveryday]

On the city’s southern border…

[@MiIIiIIion]

I didn't have any of the teachers mentioned in this video, but I did spot a few I had in the yearbook shots.

[@thetgwarrior]

​@@smartereverydayhuh??

[@justalonesoul5825]

@@thetgwarrior If you cant understand, it probably, very simply, wasnt meant for you...

[@landonrice]

@@thetgwarriorIt’s the first line of Hartselle High’s Alma Mater.

[@testarossagzb5582]

Thank you, Destin, for fifteen years of wonderful education

[@straight-up-shots]

Yes! Another great educator ❤

[@swidrovich]

Seriously, Destin is a person to aspire to be. When I have kids these mans videos are going to be an example of what a role model should look like.

[@anonymeister123]

My teacher did the same thing with Viola Swamp!

[@grgb1998]

Literally has become an educator himself. And one of the best ever too.

[@ninjajeb]

100%, best teacher ever. Thank you Destin

[@tango_uniform]

My 12th grade physics teacher, Mr. Ellis, allowed me and a friend to perform some experiments from written instructions during lunch. After nearly destroying the lab by not completely reading the instructions, he returned to find walls dyed green. Without getting the least bit perturbed, he said, "Now you understand the importance of following directions." That helped me in my 25-year career in the USAF.

[@DeliveryMcGee]

My 10th grade physics teacher was a veteran submariner, a sonar guy, he was a crewman of the boat (USS Houston) that played USS Dallas in The Hunt For Red October, but he was on the other crew, he was on shore leave during filming of the movie. Had tons of stories from his colleagues who were extras in the movie, though. (for example, the Navy was really annoyed at the number of times they rehearsed the "emergency blow" scene, because breaching like that is ... a thing that is planned for and tested, but not good for the boat if you do it a lot.)

[@wootenbasset8631]

I’m a teacher. The respect you just showed for your teachers inspires me to keep being the best teacher I can be. Thank you.

[@garywhitt98]

Thank you Wooten, from the rest of us who can’t or won’t teach the way you can! We appreciate you!

[@willdabeast144]

Graduating this year and can only say there's 1 teacher out of my whole school I'll thank for being such a genuine person. Need more teachers like you fr

[@DavidJS44]

You have the power to change lives forever. God bless your work and I wish you the very best =)

[@TristanMaiolo]

I chased down my old woodwork teacher a couple years ago 21 years after I graduated school and emailed him to thank him for teaching me what he did because I wouldn't be where I am today without his teachings. I really think he appreciated it - he's a principal now at a school in another town to what I grew up in! Side note my woodwork teacher is called Mr nail... True story!

[@found.4536]

Sounds like my high school cafeteria teacher. His name is Chef Boyle (pronounced boil) I just thought it was hilarious

[@purpleYamask]

Metalshop teacher named Mrs. Hammersmith. Lovely stocky gal, never seen anyone work so quickly and neatly with tinsnips.

[@jamescdavis3624]

My woodshop teachers last name was Noah

[@baomao7243]

Hammer time !

[@azcardguy7825]

Mr. Nail was predestined to be a wood shop teacher 😂

[@jasonmulderrig]

I am about to graduate with my PhD in mechanical engineering in a few months. I have been planning on going through my old school yearbooks, find the contact information for my former teachers, and email them with my dissertation (and a heart-felt thank you message) as a small token of my incredible appreciation to them. I hope they find it meaningful! Edit: I am particularly excited to thank my science and math teachers from high school, who really inspired me and pushed me. Those particular teachers had no business in teaching at the public (non-charter) high school I attended -- they could have done bigger and better things. But they saw their teaching as a calling, and that really struck me. I am so grateful for the attention they gave to me, and how it has impacted me now.

[@trippsmclovin]

Nothing would make them happier :)

[@jumbo6498]

I mean, personally, I would just send them a thank you letter.

[@jasonmulderrig]

I will of course thank my teachers in the email I will send them!

[@jumbo6498]

@Jason Mulderrig lol with the edit. I'm just saying, from my perspective, that I wouldn't send them my dissertation. It makes the thank you less about them.

[@sfurules]

I think it would make all of them happier than you can know

[@Paulman50]

I think the one person that shaped my life the most was my first boss. When I became the boss, I made sure I treated my staff the same. He was an amazing teacher even though we were not in school.

[@wrex509]

The best boss I ever had set me up for success in every task he assigned to me. Ive never had any employees, but Ive led a lot of volunteer groups, and that was one of the lessons I've taken from it.

[@davidhorizon8401]

Such a good point. We can all be the good boss or coworker that teaches and helps others to succeed. I promise your best success will be the one where you helped someone else succeed!

[@Paulman50]

@davidhorizon8401 two of my past employees are now close friends and are both multi millionaires.

[@640everett]

It's a great thing to remember that even though you're not in school, you are still always learning.

[@sarahmorais9312]

Destiin, I am a science teacher. I have been so since 2006. These past few years of teaching have been very difficult. I have wanted to leave the profession on many occasions. It is messages like yours that remind me, amid a fairly anti-teacher political climate, to stay the course. Thank you ever so much for this reminder that we can and do make a difference.

[@dgoddard]

I want to thank Brandon for pooting loud and giving us that great story! LOL

[@2sday538]

And who'd a known that 30 yrs later Pootin and Brandon jokes would be so apropos to our current political times.

[@eaterdrinker000]

Dank Brandon

[@Roonasaur]

Way to go Brandon. ;)

[@handlemonium]

🚶💨

[@rafacosta_x_]

Let's go Brandon

[@carriejo830gmail]

Not going to lie, I teared up at this. So good walking down memory lane with you, Destin. We had many of the same teachers, and I'm privileged to have worked alongside several of them.

[@jadney]

In an era when it seems like half of our population chooses to denigrate teachers and teaching, it's wonderful to hear someone who recognizes the great things they learned, from their teachers, in school. I had a wide range of teachers, but they ranged from average to terrific. I remember and cherish each of them. Unfortunately, I'm getting old and I suspect all of them have passed on by now. I'm grateful that I had the opportunity, a few years ago, to give my junior high English teacher a hug of appreciation. She was one of the terrific ones.

[@franklinbigbee5914]

I’m finishing up with my 24th kindergarten class at the end of this school year. As a long time teacher I can testify to the power of a simple thank you from my former students. Last year I got an invitation to graduation from’Max’ for his masters in mechanical engineering. The fact that he tracked his kindergarten teacher down was one of most touching moments in my life. We teachers realize just how important and what wonderful things our students have taught us. I’ve taught hundreds of children one of the most important life skills they will ever learn, how to read. But they have taught me so much more. Thank you all my little bees!

[@J.C...]

😭🥺

[@alwaysfallingshort]

Hey Destin YOU'RE one of our teachers!

[@ericon.7015]

You said it all. And a exceptional teacher

[@varlunmulland3992]

@@ericon.7015 Time for another teaching moment. If the following word starts with a vowel sound, then it's "an" not "a". For example, it would be "an hour", even though it starts with an h, the h is silent.

[@atlasfeynman1039]

@@varlunmulland3992 So you're just completely fine with starting a sentence with "And"?

[@RedSquirrelHunter]

THANKS DESTIN

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

A teacher is someone who makes you smarter every day.

[@craigieb]

I think one of the best testaments to how good your teachers were, is that they helped make you into such a remarkable human, that out of the thousands of students they've taught over the years, they remember you as though it was yesterday. Good on you for having a chance to tell all those folks how much they meant to you. I'm sure each of them is over the moon!

[@Isaac-qe2in]

The foundation starts from sound parental values.

[@kendebusk2540]

One of my most memorable teachers was the band director. He taught me about music, of course, but more importantly, he used a science fiction book to teach me about sociology and prejudice. Also, using the same book, he taught me that a book is not just a story (in most cases, there are exceptions), but it conveys a deeper meaning, one you get by "reading between the lines" and seeing the second level of the story. Thank you, Julian Herring! The other (yeah, I have two on top of the list, tied) taught me why you cannot divide by 0. Before, when I asked, I got the rote "That's just the way it is." When I asked this teacher, he reminded me that much like multiplication is merely repeated addition, that division was repeated subtraction. How do you divide 6 by 3? See how many times you can subtract 3 from 6 before reaching 0. Once gives you 3, twice gives you 0. Easy, right? OK, how many times can you take 0 from 6? No matter how many times you do it, even infinitely, you still have 6. You can never get to 0. Thank you, Donald Schwendimann!

[@lucidmoses]

I only have one teacher that mattered. The one that saw I wasn't a thug but rather just bored and switched me to the gifted learners even though my grades at the time didn't warrant it. That was in grade 7 and I left his class in grade 9 doing grade 12 work. That changed the path in my life immensely. I had tried to reach out to him like 5 years ago and found out he was no longer with us.

[@llearch]

What I find super interesting is that I HATED my childhood, and escaped from it (into books, or computers, or daydreaming) every moment I could; I still try not to remember my teachers, the other kids who picked on me, or anything at all about school. And this is wildly different from how Destin and others appear to remember their childhood, which makes me wonder what I'm missing, and if my life might have been very different indeed, if only things had been different. It also makes me wonder if anyone else out there feels the same way I did. Go figure.

[@Arcturus367]

same here

[@rich9965]

You're not alone. I was heavily bullied and beat up often (the poor kid easy target). The pure volume of it had to have been noticed by the teachers who did nothing. They DO pick their favorites and least favorites. I now know that i would have been in a better place if only just one teacher had taken time to protect me or even take more time to understand why i was the D and F student. Instead they played the "not my job" card. I hope you havent been held back too much from your real potential just due to a batch of bad teachers. Take care.

[@NeverIntegrateAgain]

I came here to say the exact same thing. I’m so glad school is over. Most teachers were non memorable. The rest were just cruel.

[@jonathan2282]

I had a similar experience. I was a bright kid, but that flame was extinguished early on and I stopped caring at a young age.

[@pervasivedoubt150]

I half agree with you and half agree with Destin. Sometimes I was isolated. Sometimes not

[@DanielGBenesScienceShows]

A few years ago I created a Thank You video for my 1987 Leander, TX High School shop teacher, Scott Simon, and posted it on FB for him to see. He didn’t have a FB page so I posted it on his wife’s wall. The response I got from him and his family was so touching it brought me to tears. His daughter, Monica, who I graduated with, told me her dad’s “thank you” response back to me was the first time he had ever posted anything on social media. Since then I’ve had past students thank me and it’s something I’ll never forget. 🤘😍🤘

[@scienceolympiad]

Destin, we love being part of your yearbook! Hearing that Science Olympiad was a formative experience for you is incredible! When are we going to get you to do a video for us?! You, plus fellow alum Reed Timmer, the Storm Chaser... now that would be a pairing the internet needs!

[@jajefan123456789]

Can’t believe destin was a fellow sciolyer 😭😭😭

[@J.C...]

Wow. I was watching Reed earlier

[@brainkrieg1423]

Hey, I remember Science Olympiad! My favorite events were the paper airplanes and the egg drop. So much practice with my dad on the stairs (which were carpeted, so the stakes for the egg drop were extremely high!)

[@marciabentley9557]

As the daughter and granddaughter of retired Alabama public school teachers, I appreciate your demonstrating that there are outstanding educators in our public schools. I, too, grew up with exceptional teachers in the Birmingham public school system. As with any job, there are some who are mediocre, but there are many more who work hard to help their students see and bring out the best in themselves. A good teacher is a gift beyond measure. ❤ (If only they were paid that way.)

[@j.a.r.family2576]

I never knew he was form 2 miles from me. I'm firm Decatur Alabama and he's from priceville Alabama. I always lied his content but now I'm super happy for him.

[@rickseiden1]

Years ago I found out from the son of one of my favorite teachers that the teacher was facing his last days. His son reached out to our high school group on Facebook asking for memories of his father. I was able to share some of the reasons that made this teacher so special to me. Later, the son came back to tell us all how much it meant to his father to hear everything we had to say. I was really glad I got to let him know what he meant to me before he passed.

[@nobody8717]

i only remember 3 of my HS teachers fondly. Physics, Calculus, and a floating sub who did multiple subjects. but i remember specifically why i dislike my 4th grade teacher: she marked me wrong on spelling "morse code" she was adamant it was "morris" and at that point i was already a licensed ham operator, as well as both my grandparents, and my mother...

[@Bmonkeygurl]

As a teacher, it is refreshing to hear someone recognizing how awesome their teachers were! This makes my teacher heart happy. :)

[@SupernaturalGamer]

My freshman year English teacher noticed that I wasn't doing good in any aspect of school so he started an after school program for the boys in the school who where falling behind. I may not have pursued English after highschool but I will always appreciate him for the time he spent with me and others like me. Also thank you Destin for making me care about the things I never thought about. I never even thought about how subs get air or if a Prince Rupert's drop can be preserved in glass. You have opened the world to so many people. Thank you

[@Alexander_Sannikov]

My physics teacher literally forced my lazy butt to go to an entrance exam for the most advanced university in my country. It was extremely far, inconvenient and scary -- she kept reminding me every day before the exam and even the morning when the exam took place I still was trying to bail and oversleep, but she called me (on my personal phone) and made me go that exam. I was so lazy on physics classes, barely touched my homework, but she saw something in me and made me do that exam. Fast forward 15 years, long after defending my PhD thesis in physics, I still visit her every year and help her however I can, even though I live on the opposite side of the planet now.

[@exrezcnm]

You are very fortunate to have that perspective. My school years were filled with boredom and lack luster performance. Six years after graduation I enrolled in college because I had finally found something I was interested in. And there I excelled!!!

[@Voltaic314]

I feel the same as what you are saying here too. I was very smart but I never applied myself to get into AP / Honors classes in school and I regret it. My K through 12 years in school were very boring and lackluster also because for the vast majority of the time I was just sitting in class with people forced to be there and never around people who genuinely wanted to learn anything, including myself. Now that I'm in college where people are actually taking things seriously (including myself) I am doing pretty well with a pretty good GPA. Your attitude and mindset really shape your experience, but also just your circumstances, environment, and your fellow peers really also shape it a lot too. I love that Destin has such a good outlook on life, always appreciating every little moment and doesn't seem to complain too much. I wish I could adopt that kind of appreciation mindset!

[@Noubers]

@@Voltaic314 When I found out that AP/honors classes were just more homework and that homework still counted as a majority of our grade I just stopped caring about school. I was already bored and in my spare time at home was teaching myself programming (this was back in the late 90s/early 00s). I eventually dropped out of HS and ended up just working as a programmer without any formal degree because it was possible back then to do so. Twenty years later and I have worked on everything from websites to satellites and now own my own consulting firm working in similar spaces as Destin's former day job here. And I am not knocking school or college or anything like that. I _wish_ school had been geared towards my aptitude but it wasn't. Luckily things have gotten better it seems most of my friends kids now are in classes where homework is optional and grades are performance and demonstration based rather than rot memorization or busy work. Homework still helps some for sure, but for kids that excelled on their own it seems like hopefully they have a better shot of not failing school or dropping out. (also in my late 20s I went back to school for fun and really enjoyed college, especially taking something non-technical like Art History as my major, plus fun to dunk on other engineers when you can say your college degree is in art history haha)

[@Audio_Simon]

Same here. Its a sore spot to hear Destin have so many positive experiences in his youth. What people had enjoyable education?! I hated every second of my education. Until I went to college and studied what I chose - engineering.

[@727jetjumper]

This is along the lines of what I experienced as well. Not dwelling on it, but just think how different our (anyone's) lives might have been, had it been similar to Destin's experience.

[@orang1921]

@@Voltaic314 like 80% of students believe themselves to be much more capable, if they "actually tried," than they are

[@hanslehmann2124]

I'm 65. I wish I could thank my high school calculus teacher Mrs. Loveday. She was sometimes cranky, but she had some great sayings ("Repeat after me, kiddies, Logarithms are Exponents!!") Most importantly, she was way ahead of her time and managed to get an ASR-33 teletype machined installed in her classroom that connected via a modem of some sort to a mainframe computer at one of the state universities. This was long before personal computers existed and it was novel indeed for high school students to have access to a computer. That was my first experience with computers, learning to program in Basic, storing programs on punched paper tape, getting results printed out on that crappy beige rolled paper. I'm still a software developer to this day thanks to her.

[@NautilusGuitars]

This is so heartwarming, and it reminds me of why I'm so dedicated to my stepkids lives, even though their mother and I are no longer together. I didn't have many teachers of this caliber. Most of them were disinterested, and some were even malicious. This certainly contributed to some serious behavioral issues in my teenage years that set my life down a bad path. Thankfully I recovered from it, but I swore to myself I'd do everything in my power to give all children I met the attention and enthusiasm they deserve. One teacher in particular who made a real difference was my 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Stoner. She was all the way at the top of the school and we rarely saw her before 5th grade. All the other teachers talked about her like she was some final boss. A veritable tyrant of education. Just the mention of her struck fear in us. In 4th grade, I was sent to her class for a one-on-one due to some issues I was having, and I was terrified. She was very stern, but something about her was inviting too. When I started 5th grade, there was a level of respect and a healthy dose of fear. But she never did anything cruel or disproportionate. She took time out of her day and dedicated herself to helping me with several things I needed help with, even making strange compromises (like letting me use weird fonts) to help me be more motivated. She made a huge difference. Unfortunately, right as we started 6th grade, Mrs. Stoner passed away and my entire class was devastated. We never got the chance to tell her how much we appreciated her. RIP Mrs. Stoner. You were the one teacher who really made a difference.

[@PinkeySuavo]

What do you mean you are dedicated to your stepkids lives? And why are you if they are your ex's kids?

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

The "letting me use weird fonts" bit is what stands out to me. I never was one for those strange rules that teachers would set in place, and I wish I would have had someone who said, these rules are here for a reason, but it's still okay to move away from them a bit.

[@NautilusGuitars]

@@PinkeySuavo What else could my statement possibly mean? What a bizarre question. I love them deeply and have been their only positive male role model for the majority of their lives. I spent a decade raising them after their biological father abandoned them once he was done being a severely abusive prick. My disagreements with their mother would never motivate me to abandon them. We're very close, and it would be devastating to them if I just disappeared, especially after the abuse and abandonment they've had forced upon them. My dedication to them is a significant reason why they have turned out happy and healthy despite having the kind of awful start that turns most kids into criminals. That's why. I've lived enough of my life for myself. They are my life now, and will continue to be, regardless of how many random people on the internet can't comprehend that.

[@NautilusGuitars]

@@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721 Yes, such a small thing, yet it made all the difference. Having that autonomy in those situations made it feel more personal. It helped me connect to it. It motivated me. It was a lesson that I took into adulthood and have applied to those I wish to help in similar situations. Those tiny moments can make a huge difference.

[@DTHRocket]

I was homeschooled. Thanks Mom and Dad. Now I'm working on space rockets, couldn't have done it without them. My wife is a special education teacher. She works with kids that scream all day. I hope that she can make a difference in their lives. Sometimes she doubts it and doesn't see the fruit. Maybe some day when they grow up they'll look back and appreciate her effort. I know I'm proud of her.

[@fordjones6238]

Destin, you’re really the only one on social media where I can watch your videos and really learn something from you. From either how coast guard boats work or how a Saturn V rocket goes to orbit or even shooting a golf ball going 1,000 mph into a bucket of mayo😂. You teach me to not be afraid of asking questions or learn about things, so thank you for spending time teaching these awesome things for people like me.

[@heatherburke3556]

I absolutely love how humble, encouraging, and wise you are Destin. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and know it blesses not only our minds, but our souls.

[@qwertyuiopaaaaaaa7]

This video is cute but also makes me realize how much of my childhood school life was defined by being bullied and not having support from my teachers.

[@amadeuss3341]

It's called life. Suck it up butter cup. Everyone was going thru ups and downs, just look back and think what you learn. 🤘🤘

[@waynehajek6346]

Try to forgive those that hurt you. It helps to get past those memories. Turn that negative experience into something positive and treat everyone you meet with kindness and understanding. Stand up for those that need support.

[@harryharrison6930]

I don't know if you are still having problems with people, but I can give a solution that has worked for me. I have found that when I am hating a person, I have to pray to God and ask Him to help me stop hating that person and to love him. And if I am hating that person seven times a day, then I have to pray and ask seven times a day. And I have had to do this for months, but I was finally able to let most of the anger and hate go. There are two things that make me believe that this works. The first answer is from what I have seen. If a person doesn't work on letting go of his or her hate, it will never go away. The second is I have faith that God is real and cares about his children. If you ask for help from Him, He will give it to you. I will say that if one never works on letting go of hating a person, then he will never be happy. It is not easy and will likely take a long time, but I can say it will lead to less misery. A scripture that I have found is helpful is 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; When you are ready, there is a way to find happiness. Simply put, it is to help others. To lift them up and to teach them to do good. Show them love and support. Correct in a kind and patient manner if they are doing bad. Teach them to love others and to teach and to edify in patience. When they are in need, go and help them. Even though it may not be feasible to always help someone, trying your best will bring you happiness.

[@MrHerrS]

@@amadeuss3341 Great answer and well written. I guess that‘s exactly what he expected them to say when he was little. Oh wait I guess they did. Man education so easy.

[@McLarenKeith]

@@amadeuss3341 Stupid response. Being bullied in your formative years is not called life. It's called being tormented and having your confidence stripped from you, meaning you're scared to even show up to school.

[@elazarpimentel5340]

I contacted my Scoutmaster and told him how much structure and respect he added to my life, at a time when had I not had it, I might not be alive today. Thank you Destin.

[@jreese8284]

Interesting to read all the comments. I had some great teachers, and a lot of really bad school days too; but now I can learn from the past and move on. Thank you, Destin, for being such an influential teacher to me, and to the rest of us! You've helped me over and over as I teach the next generation of students. May the Lord encourage you!

[@SiriuslyStarkidHP]

Good grief, you’ve got me over here crying. I had a lot of great teachers in Albertville, too. God bless these good folks, hope our schools stay safe.

[@livethefuture2492]

Thank YOU Destin, for being the teacher that so many of us never had.

[@flodgey]

My highschool teachers made me cry, in front of everybody. They were bigger bullies than the other kids calling me a fatty during middleschool. You're very lucky Destin, to have had such enabling and supportive teachers. I can't even imagine what my life could have been today if I had been put in to the right schools with the right teachers, because you see, the way your teachers described you in this video, is exactly how I was as a kid, and still am today, and respectively, you were a success in life, and me a complete failure. It's crazy how much teachers have a say in their students lives, for the best, and for the worst, yet most of them don't even realise how much power they have.

[@GooogleGoglee]

This is beautiful Dustin. You have been lucky as many other Americans. Where I am from, I didn't have this school books as a way to remember and one day refresh my memory and say "thank you!" You had a good school experience too. You pointed out a very good point about education in school now days and the importance to say "thank you". Something that nowadays many takes for granted and sometimes discount too easily. This is something I have always wanted to do but I cannot... And your video just made me cry. Thank you to you as well!

[@wonderwu]

It's wild how well passion translates through all mediums. This video is so wholesome! It made me tear up just hearing how much you appreciate the people that have had an impact on your life.

[@evashelton3162]

This video truly show who you are. Your brilliance and your cheerfulness! Kudos to a great man!

[@noonespecial9840]

I can honestly say I don't remember a single teacher except one. I find it very impressive at the memories he has. Interesting topic.

[@vibaj16]

similar situation for me, and I'm still in high school

[@funkingfuss9724]

My Greatest Teacher was not a teacher. He was the Custodian in my High School. He was in charge of cleaning and maintenance. I went to an exclusive high dollar private school that my parents could not really afford so to help pay the tuition I took a job as a janitor. After school I would clean the class rooms and bathrooms. One morning Mr. Sterns saw me going to class and pulled me aside and asked me to look down the hall. I saw where I had missed cleaning. He did not tell me about how bad of a job I did which was obvious. He told me a story about a window washer who cleaned a hundred story building but missed one window. And pointed out that no one will see the the clean windows because they won't stand out. All they will see is The One That I Missed. It changed my life, and I am better for it.

[@pkiller3055]

In 3 days you would have been teaching the world for 17 years!! Thank you for everything you have done!! :)

[@Iexpedite1]

I was an embarrassingly bad student. I was disruptive and lazy. Anyway, I always felt bad about how I treated one specific teacher. I was visiting my hometown one day and I saw that teacher parked at the side of the road waiting for someone. I turned my car around and apologized to him. In my mind, I was the reason he quit teaching. In reality, he didn’t remember me at all. Which I was oddly happy about. I’ve had a successful life, but I could have been so much more. If you pay attention in school, even a below average brain can do good things in this world. If you don’t take advantage of that opportunity, it may take more brainpower than you possess to make something of yourself, and you may never reach your full potential.

[@TheseYeahThese]

Omg same. I need to reach out to my 7th grade math teacher which i treated like trash.

[@zqlimy]

My high school English teacher Ms. Chionh taught me something no other teacher did - class. She taught us to have class. If you're reading this, thank you!

[@MRFizzler1]

Aye... if your still close and she still works there pay her a visit and tell her in person.. she would love that 100%

[@cxmxqx]

@@MRFizzler1 fr

[@youtubeplsremovethenameupdate]

im your teacher plese giv muni 🤑🤑🤑 jk

[@demosflora7250]

@@youtubeplsremovethenameupdate down vote this mo fo

[@smellydeadcat2178]

​@@youtubeplsremovethenameupdate that's not funny, your going to confuse people, the money is supposed to be sent to me! 😊

[@faithingrits]

Love this! ❤ Thank you for sharing. Taking me back to my time in elementary, middle and high school in Huntsville. (some of my schools don't exist anymore in Huntsville.) Working as an Early Childhood teacher now overseas and my yearbooks are long gone. I still remember those teachers though, and the stories I share about them! Sharing the stories of empowering educators is so very important! Whether that is via youtube or just shared stories with others, it is important! Educators in lots of countries work in impossible conditions, with policy and budgets that don't make sense and carry on anyways. My school here in the UK partnered with teachers in Lesotho around the same time that I had a trip back to AL & GA on holiday, only to see campaigns like "fill the bus" where radio stations are crying out for the public to buy basic school supplies. It boggles the mind what educators have to deal with, and (as Rita Pierson says) they teach anyway! Diolch yn fawr iawn! Thank you for putting this out there 🥰

[@DragsterJeffCrider]

Great stuff Destin! Thank you for sharing! You’re blessed for sure.

[@mwbama1]

I've been watching your channel for years and never realized we both went to Hartselle High School. I graduate a few years before you, but it was so great to hear this. I too still think about Coach Booth's words every time I do algebra.

[@frank-christiankruegel2199]

You can consider yourself lucky having had such a good school time. My experience is quite different. You see, I'm on the Autistic spectrum, and in the 70's and 80's nobody knew about this condition, not my parents, not my teachers, even not my doctors. I always hat excellent grades in almost all subjects except sports, music and arts, but I was socially "blind". I felt I was different somehow but couldn't pinpoint it. I got depressions, panic attacks, suicides. I got my real diagnosis not until 2006, which was a huge relief for me.

[@iamdave84]

Thank God it's a different experience for most kids on the spectrum these days

[@somelaser5906]

I was diagnosed with Aspergers (now formally part of the Autism spectrum) when I was in grade 2. I can tell you that thankfully 20 - 30 years later schools were definitely more equipped to help children like myself. Although I wasn't particularly good at many subjects I always felt slightly socially distant but still had a couple of friends because I was fascinated with telling jokes and making fun of things because I love to make people laugh (it makes me feel warm and fuzzy), it was sort of like learning a new skill. Now that I'm an adult I can safely say that social interactions are no problem and that my humour is better than ever!

[@iamdave84]

@@somelaser5906 any advice you'd give your teenage self?

[@tetsuei5928]

Destin, thank you so much for once again bringing massive smiles to all of the people you choose to share your stories and learnings with - I appreciate your work so much!

[@amyjogibson3433]

As a math teacher and an “Math Secondary Instructional Specialist “ (which is really customer service for math teachers), THANK YOU!!! I would tell my teachers every time I put a note and candy on their desk, found supplies for their idea, sent an email, attempted to facilitate a professional development session, “Your students have probably forgotten to tell you today-so, I’m going to say it for them-THANK YOU for giving of yourself to help me when I didn’t want to persevere, endure, try again, didn’t believe the word YET had any power, and/or just didn’t care.”❤

[@maxbrainbox]

I love your technical video's without exceptions! Every once in a while, you upload something non-technical that ALWAYS leaves me heartwarmed or sometimes every watery-eyed. Thanks Destin!

[@orinblank2056]

I have so few memories of my teachers honestly. I feel like I never really had close interactions with many of them. My 4th grade teacher was patient with me, which was nice, and some of my high school teachers were cool, but beyond that not a lot really stuck with me. I am grateful for my high school counselor though, as she once saw me eat acid at a music event at the park, but still was nice enough to help me with college preparations. I think she decided it was okay when she saw that I still had goals and didn't just want to be a burnout

[@vibaj16]

Yeah, I'm still in high school but I already have forgotten most of my elementary and middle school teachers. But I know at least my current physics teacher will be very memorable, probably the most memorable teacher I'll ever have. He's always excited about whatever he's teaching and you can tell he knows what he's talking about.

[@westonheeren5216]

As a teacher, thank you for sharing. Every year when I get a note from a kid for teacher appreciation week, I keep them and look at them when I need a little pick me up

[@bethusala]

I wrote a letter to one of my high school teachers 2 years ago. He is an inspiring human, he is one of the longest living (and first ever in my province) recipients of a heart transplant here in Canada. He ran a marathon 18 months later! This was in the 80's. He taught me in the 90's and I know I frustrated him greatly, but he was an amazing teacher. He was full of stories and his way of organizing grade 12 geography was so helpful to me, simplest class note system ever. I am so happy that I reached out when I did and this is inspiring me to actually thank him.

[@jd7863]

The elementary school event I won't forget was the "FCAT Pilot Test" in forth grade. All the students sat down that day after reading messages from the previous students on how hard it was, only to find out the whole test was a mock exam centered around a doughnut. You may not look at another student's doughnut during the exam, now begin eating.

[@trippsmclovin]

Dang. Florida must have gotten a little better. In 4th grade we had a very real FCAT with a writing portion. Still gives me nightmares lol!

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

That's the greatest prank I've ever heard of.

[@TheDaringPastry1313]

Same type of exam here, but a tad different. We just got back from Christmas break and had a pop quiz for a grade with 100 questions. It had a really long set of directions, but the last sentence said to write your name, turn over the test and doodle on the blank paper provided for the next 30 mins. The entire thing was a teaching moment for kids to make sure they read and understand something before starting.

[@rainbowdragon447jeff9]

You taught me everything your teachers taught you so thank you I’m 18 now and have been watching you for so long and now my little cousins are watching you and I’m so proud of them because of how much you inspired me I’m going to college for electrical engineering because of what you instilled in my brain many years ago. Thank you

[@natfonck]

We don't have year books in Costa Rica, but a couple of weeks ago my highschool had their 70th year anniversary and I went there to assist with photographing the event, and while helping I met many of my teachers, I can related a lot to your experience of seeing them again and to be grateful to those who were key for me to become what I am today. I truly encourage everyone to go and look back as well, to think on why the teacher said or did the things they did to teach us, and to be grateful if possible to as many of them as we can because teachers are such an important group of peole in our society.

[@LeMErin21]

Mrs. Donna Rushen, Mrs. Mary Morrow, and Ms. Sylvia Teague impacted me so greatly at Hartselle High School- Mrs. Rushen was also my Sunday school teacher 🙂 I still make sure not to say “I’m done” because of Mrs. Rushen. The Coach Booth quotes were great!! You do such awesome work, thank you 👏

[@lubue5795]

7:00 that's probably one of the most American things I'll ever hear. Teacher making a gun rack with his Secundary school students.

[@bridgecross]

You went to a fantastic school. I learned a lot in school, but most of the teachers were disconnected from the students, even sarcastic and dismissive. I excelled in physics, but when I asked the teacher for a college recommendation he wrote one illegible sentence with a sharpie, and when I asked for a rewrite he humiliated me in front of the class. The chemistry teacher was a humorless, mocking troll. One history teacher just stood and read verbatim from the textbook while the students chatted amongst themselves, no questions or interactions at all. It was an angry dour place.

[@j.a.r.family2576]

The schools around here (Morgan County) aren't fantastic. But we do have outstanding teachers. They're so caring an sweet. He turned out great

[@Mjlg12345]

My husband and I have watched you with our two boys for over ten years now. Until this video I never realized you went to Hartselle High. You were two years ahead of me in school. Some of the same great teachers who shaped your life were some of my favorites as well. I made both of my kids read Edith Hamilton's Mythology because of Mrs. Morrow. I loved her! Hartselle was such a great school and a great place to grow up. Thank you for making the videos you do. You and Mark Rober have both shown my kids how much fun science and engineering can be.

[@StaticMotions]

My retired HS teacher who I kept in touch with over the years called while I was at work, and I missed his call. The next day, his adult daughter, whom I had never met and knew little about, called and told me she saw my phone number on her father's phone and that I was the only person he called the day he died. She asked who I was and how I knew her father. This gave me an opportunity to tell her who her father was in my life. When I finished she was crying and told me she had no idea her father had made such an impact outside of her own life. Thank you Gene, you were a great teacher and you are missed.

[@donnythompson237]

You're such a nice and awesome guy Destin. Thanks for making the videos you do.

[@mcrailroader9518]

Sadly from my perspective I'd say that you got really lucky with having such wonderful educators. For me, it seemed many times I wanted to expand to a deeper knowledge of "why" I was frequently shut down and seemingly told "just because" and to just do it and don't overthink it. Many of my teachers seemed to prefer the easiest way of '"teaching" being copy what I do and you'll pass the class. I felt like curiosity was discouraged, not to mention the lack of opportunity. None of my schools had active/ cared for clubs that would do awesome things like skiing, building rockets, or making things like your Rube Goldberg machines.

[@markzielke4118]

Bless You Destin, For the teachers I never took the time to thank and for the students who, after so many years, are just realizing the influence we had on them .

[@theodelphia]

Of all the things to be grateful for, being grateful for the people around us is one of the most profound and powerful activities! Thanks, Destin for the awesome invitation! Going down memory lane and thanking some of the people that had a big impact on my life has been a joyful experience!

[@HeisenbergFam]

"We are products of our teachers" is one of the most accurate sentences said in history, its sweet that you thanked your teachers

[@ruthsaunders9507]

Most of my teachers in school were pretty forgettable but other teachers I had in childhood and life were amazing.

[@Kaar]

I’m always a bit jealous when I hear people talk so fondly about their teachers in their life’s. I never had anything even close to that and no teacher to thank. I didn’t realize I could think (was always considered a bit slow) until I got out in the real world solving real problems, then everything changed for me.

[@Thestargazer56]

The thing is, teachers may require you to memorize "lessons" but they can't teach you how to think or acquire wisdom...

[@spencehewitt]

The type of teachers destin talks about in my life have passed away... :-(

[@orang1921]

@@Thestargazer56 because you don't want to... otherwise you'd listen to the oh-so-tedious lessons and develop an interest in the subject

[@fourthpanda]

@@orang1921 This makes you sound insanely privileged

[@orang1921]

@@fourthpandawhy? because i'm tired of people acting as though their schooling is useless, teaches you nothing important, and develops no schools? that very schooling that billions around the world would do anything to have the opportunity to attend?

[@TheAngieStoned]

Thank you Destin! I ran into my middle school teacher, Marianne, a few years back whilst working in gardening. It was a gorgeous sunny day, and I hadn't seen her for a good 19-20 years at the time. We hugged and chatted for a bit, and I got to tell her how much I appreciate everything's she done for me over the years. She taught me English, amongst many other things, so she literally gave me the world ❤ She made the greatest moments of my life possible, she helped travel, love, and friendships happen! Brought the poor little lady to tears, she was worried that she'd been to strict with us, but I couldn't disagree more. Felt brilliant to tell her, still feels brilliant to this day tbh.

[@lhhomes]

What a great way to communicate. You lifted my day! I can see why you have the uniquely you that I appreciate, great values taught by great people. Thank you for sharing.

[@reepicheepsfriend]

I do not remember specific details about my teachers like that, for the most part. But it's cool that you do. I loved the Viola Swamp story. Also not everyone has a positive experience with teachers and school. And that's not their fault.

[@UndercoverFerret404]

Thank you for all the great videos! Awesome every time!

[@DDSJR1203]

Destin, I never did learn to speak in front of people. I am 63 and if someone said to me get up in front of a group I would not be able to do it. I am so envious of you just being able to walk up to people and start a conversation.

[@ChrisGuarraia]

Thank you for this, Destin. This warms my heart as someone who taught high school English for 10 years (4 of which was also teaching Journalism and 6 years as a head tennis coach). My wife is also a teacher (elementary school) and your video helps affirm what I did for 10 years and what my wife continues to do. You honor your teachers, not just through this video, but by being a teacher yourself in what you publish on this channel. Thank you and God bless you and your family.

[@zisonKB]

Crazy to see a local influencer created by High Schools that I live near. This only gives me more motivation. Thanks for all the great content!

[@fishoconnor108]

I enjoyed this little appreciation of your teachers. I wish I could recall the people involved in my education. Who ever they were I thank them. And thank you Destin you too are a teacher. Perhaps no official qualifications, that I know of, but there's nothing better in trying to understand the carburetor and having you and your pop explain and then show how it works. One of many lessons...

[@BigIsleJ]

This video almost brought tears to my eyes. Your appreciation and gratitude came across HUGE! Thanks for sharing this ❤

[@mattsconberg8225]

Ive taken for granted the teachers in my life - I'm taking this challenge on cause you're just so right. I feel badly that I haven't noticed this and been grateful for it before, but so thankful that you brought it to the attention of so many including myself. Thanks

[@OrigEntertainmentOfficial]

You're a lucky guy not everyone has these great teachers in their lives.

[@atlasfeynman1039]

Perhaps we are remembering them harshly? They may not have been true inspirations, but they taught you the basics and what you needed to know to graduate.

[@donayer5939]

@@atlasfeynman1039 Did they, though? What they taught _me_ was to teach myself whatever I want to know, because nobody else is going to do it. It was certainly a valuable lesson! I can remember exactly one teacher that inspired me, and it was because he let me quickly bang out the assignments and then move on to whatever I _really_ wanted to know about. The rest of my teachers just told us what pages to read and what problems to do for homework. Note that this was 30+ years ago in a town with a terrible education budget because most residents sent their kids to private schools. Today, I work in education and the teachers I know are all amazing, inspiring, dedicated professionals who love what they do. I am extremely proud to support them in doing it.

[@Tinman_56]

All my teachers are long gone by now. Unfortunately I grew up in a different environment when teachers just pushed assignments and had no personal interest in a youths development. The only teacher that "cared" about my development was a tech school instructor that suggested I not return to school the following year. My grades weren't up to par. However, in defiance most likely, I returned the next 2 years and graduated with the best understanding of electronics theory and applications that propelled me into a military and electronics career. Only one cared.

[@fourthpanda]

@BlueDvl228 And it's worth mentioning the school system is still like this in Alabama. Especially for those who are marginalized or often directly attacked by the school system and teachers because they weren't born with the profound level of privilege that Destin was.

[@SutherlandBoswell]

The mission possible science olympiad event was my absolute favorite. We probably missed competing against each other at state finals by just a few years!

[@ujona]

Hello Dustin and wonderful job done on acknowledging those who out you on your engineering trajectory. My education was all about performance plus it didn't having a father as a mathematician either because my summers were miserable. Only if I had a wonderful learning experience like you, how life would be different. Never too late to learn and now the things that made absolutely no sense are coming simply. Never collected anything from high school but do give credit to my college professors especially in criminal justice. My verbal portion was dismal on my SAT but they taught me a lot about writing a lot of papers plus graduate level classes too. Now, I am going back to finish off my uncompleted civil engineering degree. Thank you on this.

[@daammexican]

I did something similar a few years back. I reached out to some of my high school teachers who really showered care on not just my academics, but my personal life as well. I had the opportunity to reach of to them and thank them. One was in person and for the other i wrote a long letter. It felt amazing to let them know how much they mattered because.... Unlike other professions they dont get to see their impact. As an engineer you get to see your product develop and change but as a teacher, you have a year, your done and your to her back.

[@henrymiller7162]

In middle school my environmental science teacher in 7th grade would unfreeze Gregor Mendel from his basement and let Gregor Mendel teach for a couple days before he froze him in the basement again. He was an awesome teacher who really made middle school better.

[@speedracer9132]

Teachers are so wildly under appreciated

[@timbrown5954]

Its awesome to watch this video, its probably a little more personal to me though. I graduated from hartselle high in 2020 and seeing pictures of these people and how many of them had an influence on my life 20 years later really shows the impact they have on generations of people in our communities.

[@bripslag]

This video showed up in my feed with perfect timing. Later today I'm going to the memorial service for one of the teachers whose guidance had a profound impact on my life. I was fortunate to see him a few years ago and I took the opportunity to thank him for all he'd done for me and many other kids.

[@bdonkulousgames8562]

I wish I had at least one teacher who was memorable. I remember getting made fun of by the teachers for my tourettes, being told to stop twitching and moving. Up until high school I never met a teacher who I would want to spend any time around whatsoever. Even in high school the best teacher was just one who enjoyed teaching sciences and that interested me.

[@IHateThisHandleSystem]

Thank them for what? Not a single teacher I ever had did anything the least bit exceptional and some of them were outright evil. The whole institution of school did far more damage than it ever did good. I graduated in 1993, if things were that bad back then I would guess that they have only gotten worse since then.

[@marcor6403]

All these people, all these influences shaping your life. And here you are, sharing the things you love with the entire world. It's amazing.

[@michaelboyle1983]

Thank you Destin for teaching us and God bless you and your family!

[@chaoz_2k185]

Made me realize that I really had crappy education from kindergarten to pretty much university. I don't think I was given individual attention even once through these years. Anyways I'm doing fine, about to get my bachelors degree in aircraft engineering in a year :D

[@USA__WILL]

I don't remember any of my teachers. The ones that were more interesting where the science and math professors. Destin's experience with his teachers is completely different then most of us.

[@Alphack3r]

Welcome to small-town North Alabama! Not to say all students in Priceville, Moulton, Cullman (West Point High), etc are well served, but by-and-large it's a great place with an amazing culture.

[@pulsar9354]

Maybe is me that I was a terrible student. But I have zero gratitude to all the teachers I ever had. I don’t even remember their names. And for some of them I have terrible memories. Like making fun of me in front of the class. Lucky you.

[@BTB88]

I choked back tears this entire video. I am also very appreciative of the teachers that shaped me as a young boy. Teachers are so special.

[@AngeEinstein]

Professor Hergan was my physics teacher for a year. I went to this extra class that was meant as a training for the physics Olympiad. Often it was just the two of us, and we talked for 2 hours about some questions I had, did some unrelated experiments that I just found interesting, and he showed me some of his cool tools. It was very fun having that opportunity to talk to an expert, 2 hours per week, and ask them anything I wanted, discuss any physics topic I was interested in... Sometimes, especially when I encounter a question I can't fully answer, I want to be a student again, just to be able to talk to him. Thank you.

[@equesdeventusoccasus]

I was considered the biggest pain in the backside of most of my teachers, because I questioned things. The few who appreciated a student who asked too many questions shaped me. Especially the two that asked me ten questions for every one that I asked.

[@dima5467]

What a wildly different experience you had. I couldn't care less about any of my teachers, I have 0 personal connection to any of them and while I learned a lot, it felt very much like they were just doing it for a paycheck and I was just... there. Except my 2nd grade teacher Mrs. Ott, she was pretty cool I guess. She gave us all personalized nutcrackers at the end of the year.

[@alkaliwreck2474]

I had 9 different grade schools and half of them are on a different continent. I don't even remember 80% of them. I remember my kindergarten teacher, because she died halfway through the year; mildly traumatic for a 6yo.

[@JoshuaTootell]

Funny, my mom was a Mrs. Ott. But I don't think she was your teacher 🤣

[@resurgam_jsc]

I feel the same unfortunately. I remember and appreciate a lot of my teachers when I lived on a military base overseas. They really cared. When I moved back to the states, a majority of my teachers just did not care about teaching any of us.

[@xavierkipping9600]

Thank you Destin for your videos. I always enjoy your optimism and faith and this video encouraged me to see that there are a lot of educators I ought to thank. Thanks for the goodness you bring to the world!

[@johnnyziemer5561]

Thanks, I loved video. I am 84 and still remember most of my teachers K-12. 2 of my high school teachers was at my 50th class reunion and it was great to talk to them after all that time.