The One Thing All Great Teachers Do | Nick Fuhrman | TEDxUGA

With this talk, Dr. Nick Fuhrman encourages us to recognize the profound personal impact that we can have on others - both in and out of the classroom. Dr. Nick Fuhrman is an associate professor of environmental education in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication. Also known as “Ranger Nick,” he teaches graduate courses in educational program development and data analysis and undergraduate courses in environmental education and teaching methods. Dr. Fuhrman received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Forestry from Virginia Tech and his PhD in Agricultural Education and Communication from the University of Florida. His life’s passion is teaching, and he often uses live animals (such as snakes, turtles, and owls) in the classroom and on his monthly television series, Ranger Nick. Dr. Fuhrman and his wife, Jessica, have a son, Miles, who already seems to love animals and the outdoors as much as his dad. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@nickfuhrman3864]

Hi everyone! It was 5 years ago today that I delivered this TED Talk and my life has been forever changed. Thank you, thank you, thank you for watching, sharing it, and smiling along with my story. I'm so humbled! We're all teachers. --Ranger Nick :)

[@hannahcrossett3415]

Thank you, Ranger Nick, for all you do and have done.

[@nickfuhrman3864]

@@hannahcrossett3415 thanks so much!

[@jocelyn794]

Thank you, Dr. Fuhrman! I am returning to school after six years to complete my degree and I was moved by this, and used this TedTalk as inspiration. Thank you.

[@sgo4681]

yo're great !!! thank you for this speech !!!

[@carrietay7704]

Thank you Ranger Nick! 🙏🏻

[@Lightbulb909]

I’m binge-watching all the Ted talks on what makes a great teacher. I’m about to embark on the beginning of my teaching career this summer.

[@lizziebkennedy7505]

Go, you awesome persona,

[@maartendas1358]

Go for it, and watch all you can - but also be prepared to forget everything you’ve watched the minute you stand in front of a class for the first time :) THEN the teachable moments will come :) and the kids will be your teachers as much as you will be theirs.

[@Lightbulb909]

@@maartendas1358 Yeah, I look forward to forgetting everything once I’m up there.

[@toma3447]

I embarked on mine this summer too and still am.

[@amina2645]

@@maartendas1358 so right! I teach kids, I love this job and love kids even more! Indeed they become your teacher of patience, innocence and unconditional love 💕. Good luck to the new teachers!

[@JoeTaxpayer]

I’ve used the phrase “students don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” This is a teacher who exemplifies that cliche.

[@RedCloudBeechWaveAhh]

That's a great. thing, thank you so much...

[@downbntout]

Love that name

[@JoeTaxpayer]

@Steve Hayes - Ok, I'll bite - can you explain what you mean? "Not America" can mean we are somehow unique in some regard, or that your non-US country is very different. Still just would like to understand what you mean here.

[@JoeTaxpayer]

@Steve Hayes - Much appreciated. Now, I'm wondering if it's unique to the US, or varies by country. I'm in a somewhat unique situation, an in-house tutor vs classroom. And have had great success working with students who need that kind of relationship. Not all teachers have the time or patience to make that happen.

[@kevintoto7542]

@@JoeTaxpayer I am from New Zealand and I totally agree with that statement. “students don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” Thats what great teachers do, they go the extra mile for their students.

[@Capable-opinions]

Went to school with him, he was a rare breed. Nicest kid/guy, befriended anyone and incredibly smart. Congratulations on your success, Nick!

[@AngeluszM]

That's pretty cool, I love his energy! Reminds me a bit of bubbles from trailer park boys, in a good sense haha!

[@elye6739]

what a coincidence -_-

[@Almot10]

What are u trying to say!?

[@chotuchhotu3406]

Pp

[@alive3589]

wow

[@Boleh888]

This is what viewers want. Thanks Nick. Great teachers: 1. Celebrate mistakes 2. Appreciate differences 3. Relay feedback 4. Evaluate themselves The great teachers C.A.R.E.. Ranger Nick teach people not entertain people. 'People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people don't forget how you make them feel'.

[@abigailgeorge3679]

you are a gem! thank you! having a late night and this exact assignment is due soon.. 🙏

[@waking-tokindness5952]

Thanks so much, "Iran", for condensing, for all of us here, all the essentials of Ranger Nick's whole talk into just two short paragraphs [your comment]. (Of course, perhaps needless to say, thanks even more to Nick himself, to Ranger Bill, to their helpers, .. to the TEDx staffers here, .. to all the KZbin staffers, to our device makers, internet maintainers, electric co.s, builders, miners, drillers, .. to all farmers, transporters, grocers, retailers, .. to etc etc etc .. .. --- to every one of us, worldwide! )

[@melodyrutherford6635]

yuhh thankyou

[@joer8273]

@@abigailgeorge3679 do yourself a favor and find time to watch the whole thing when you can. Worth every minute.

[@raniayehia6975]

@@joer8273 totally agree with you. The whole experience of listening to him, seeing his gestures and understanding everything single message he delivers is priceless 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@BeccaWright1012]

So happy I had the opportunity to help Ranger Nick create this awesome talk and herd some pretty cool animals!!! 🐍🐢

[@jaycollins6792]

Great talk thank you

[@mukhtharbinusman6352]

That was great from you lady. All the best

[@jodeebaldwin509]

great thank you

[@belaubekiis]

Thank you, Becca!

[@NancyRodriguez-tx4er]

You did a great job!

[@donmelbouchard]

I am a teacher/professor of 36 years. Moved to tears. This is a great teacher. So good.

[@Frank22164]

Great teachers are to be celebrated certainly but they should not be funded via coercion. I'd have more respect for someone earns his/her keep.

[@camerongudgell2452]

@@Frank22164 shut it

[@reinfaster]

I'm sure you are a great teacher. Thank you for your work

[@Deuce-yr9gj]

Thank you for all the great work you do!!🙏

[@andysullivan1120]

A lot of people are more concerned about making themselves feel superior rather than bringing other people up. Good teachers make people feel positive and create internal motivation.

[@thsu8]

Wow. You nailed it.

[@pvillhound]

That is SO true! Well said!

[@LukenUSee]

Amen amen and amen

[@FancDancr]

I will be crediting you with this quote...profound!

[@aprilsmith9210]

Well said! Thank you!

[@Ming6818]

"Owl-standing work, Ranger Nick!" 😇

[@carolhudson1194]

Nick, when I was teaching adults who had been kicked out of school, I put a smiley face on their assignments. And they LOVED IT! Many had never ever had a positive comment in the whole time they'd been at school.

[@emmcatherine1460]

Thank You , as it would have given them courage along the way. Light And Love Along Your Way.

[@marlovequadros3763]

Thanks for all

[@MrsTikiGod]

I suspect not receiving positive comments played a major role in being kicked out of school.

[@trickytreyperfected1482]

People really don't realize how much positive comments matter for both kids and adults.

[@roseto3679]

@@emmcatherine1460 hhuruttyrttttthuyhtq

[@saitougin7210]

"Egg-shellent job! Owl-standing work! Unbe-leaf-able work! Paw-sitive improvement!"

[@kombatace7971]

"Purrfect!"

[@davidcattin7006]

The owl stamp story broke me. As a professional trainer, I always keep in mind an idea I got some time ago-- that adults are just kids in really big bodies. So, yeah, they need a break during your talk, they need to have some fun, and, yes, they still like stickers! Great ideas and a great presenter! Thank you!

[@guidansr750]

At a football coaching clinic, a linebacker coach from the Miami Dolphins said he had similar experiences. He would give his LB of the game a snack size Snickers bar like you'd hand out at Halloween in his squad meetings. Pro NFL players would play for that Snickers--and be hurt if they played well and didn't get it--just like the UF player went out of his way to get that owl stamp! Simple recognition and showing you care. It goes a long way with people.

[@MS113MS]

A great teacher continues to teach you long after he or she left you.

[@Fiddlemama]

Amen! 😁

[@Brian-kl1zu]

Fill in the blank "Great teachers---------." My immediate thought: "Care." How gratifying to see that the first letter of his four main principles spelled "CARE."

[@KodyDoesMath]

Teaching is not an easy profession, but it is one of the most fulfilling.

[@FAWNGROVEDUDE]

Ive been teaching for 20 years now...I graduated with a B.A. in English and traveled a bit...bartending, waiting tables, temping...i felt extremely lost and disappointed in myself for not "doing something" with my degree. what i didn t realize at the time is that i was working on my ability to communicate and be personable. I was very shy and waiting tables forced me to face that. At age 29, i went back to get my Masters degree in Education -- it was the best decision i ever made. He touches on some really important facets of teaching here...ones I had to learn through experience and many, many mistakes. My first teaching job was in a very challenging school, and i remember many days i said to myself walking into that building " Im going to give this five years" ...i wanted to quit for a while, and I blamed it on the kids-- I thought they were out of control, didnt care, and hated school...again, i didnt realize I was building my own skills, constantly reassessing what i was doing, making personal connections with kids who needed that extra attention, learning how to be myself in front of the room. 20 years in, and i still get excited to start class. even if its a zoom during covid. I dont know everything, and I tell kids all the time "this is going to be hard, but we are going to get through it together."

[@jamesnguyen7069]

i agree

[@AliceJoMiner]

I loved your response! I sooo relate. Spot on. Thank you.

[@sarahyip2825]

Those who've struggled and overcome are the ones who makes a difference. Best wishes to all who teach with heart 🌱

[@bigwinslow6274]

As somebody who's recently made the decision to get my degree in education, Ranger Nick was exactly who I needed to listen to.

[@worstpianist3985]

Good luck

[@ruralcounsel]

Don't make the mistake of thinking an education degree helps that much. Better you become expert at what you are going to teach. Too many education degree holders don't know their material, but depend upon pre-packaged lesson plans, answer keys, and do a poor job at really teaching.

[@Beinrangel]

I'm in the exact same position now, just started my education, and Ranger Nick is just what I needed today

[@kileypreheim373]

I am a 7th grade science teacher who just finished my first year teaching. This moved me to tears. We have so many opportunities every day, every hour to teach like this guy does and make the type of impact he talks about. I want to be like this guy!

[@vivianhudacek1556]

Retired teacher here. Got to spend 40 years doing what I loved. My favorite Ted Talk ever-& I’ve listened to a bunch! Thank you, Ranger Nick!

[@liammurphy2725]

Twenty three and a half minutes of my life I'm so happy with. This... is what TED is all about. I cry with happiness.

[@gabby7882]

One of many things great teachers do is admit they don't always know but are willing to learn.

[@shelleyharvey9447]

I am a teacher and when he asked us to write a word down to fill in the blank, I wrote down care!

[@samhhaincat2703]

I couldn't think of a word that fit everything that teachers have been for me, so I just thought "Great Teachers Rule". Heh. I'm 43 and still talk to my highschool English teacher. She means the world to me.

[@mcvitty1070]

16 years in education and never have I been so inspired as I was after watching this, fantastic effort Mr Fuhrman.

[@MrsIBR]

When I was a student in college our professor would put a sticker on our papers whenever we get the highest score in the class. I swear the amount of joy I felt whenever I get that sticker. It was a badge of honor!... I do it for my middle schoolers now 😎

[@somefreak6610]

Protect this man at all costs

[@liammurphy2725]

I wonder how many creatures in peril have found a safe space with Nick?

[@fabischmoker1671]

You are a true inspiration my friend! I'm a teacher myself. I hung that picture @21:34 behind me in my classroom for 2 years now. I live and teach by it every day! Thank you :)

[@d.j.7069]

This guy has a GIFT; so glad he followed his natural instincts and got into the right "profession" for him. He's so smart, maybe mom wanted him to be a doctor and dad wanted him to be a lawyer. He listened, and is where he is supposed to be!

[@tatianamurzina]

I burst into tears... What an incredibly inspiring person, educator, and speaker!

[@jeany_beany8410]

holy cow if i got turtle on my assignments for good grades (no matter how old I get) I would try a lot harder on test. Its the little things that really bring true joy, honestly. I would love to have a teacher that cared that much. lovely ted talk mate

[@AliceJoMiner]

I heard a young woman after a week at a girls came observe that one lesson she learned was that the little things really are big things. I appreciated reading your comment.

[@stephaniepaul9516]

TRULY GREATEST YET!!!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻💡👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻💡👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻💡👍🏻💡👍🏻💡👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻💡👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻💡💡👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@alexandralignell5424]

My teacher in 6th grade would get those pop up stickers (like thicker ones that stand out from the paper a little), new ones every time, and put on our tests and assignments when we did well and it was always so fun to see what kind of stickers and notes we got. Like we would compare our stickers after class. “I got an ice cream, what did you get?” I’m kinda sad we didn’t get those in my last school, 9th grade, but hopefully they’ll do it now in high school. It really is motivating

[@mistere3858]

Students NEVER make mistakes - When they find ways that don't work, I ask the class to help them, the student gets it right, then I tell them how great they are for improving. Students soon learn trying a way that doesn't work is nothing to worry about.

[@jkjines]

This was not forty-five minutes but I am truly changed in my thoughts about educating from this day forward. Thanks Ranger Nick!

[@johnandreae6948]

The greatest tribute to Ranger Bill is that his work and caring lives on through Ranger Rick’s teachings. Awesome TED talk - think I’ll celebrate with an M&M.

[@mitchellsmith6942]

I'm thrilled to share how I had the privilege of inspiring a struggling fourth-grade student to embrace reading. Recognizing their challenges, I introduced captivating, real-world applications of reading. We explored exciting topics and stories that aligned with their interests, such as adventure, animals, and space. By making reading relevant to their passions, I witnessed a transformation. Their engagement soared, and they began devouring books with enthusiasm. It's incredibly gratifying to see a struggling reader not only improve but discover the joy of reading, reinforcing the power of personalized, real-world connections in education.

[@kjbdn]

Freeman Tilden would be proud of you, Ranger Nick! Thanks for the excellent nature interpretation! I'm retired now, and your talk gave me smiles and great memories!

[@ea1997]

As I listened to him, so many great teachers I’ve had in my life passed through my mind…and I added him to the list just from this one lesson. The world needs more like him.

[@michaelricci9845]

Retired teacher here, now volunteer teaching GED students. I would sometimes write "one-deer-full" on student papers.

[@eplantsnoosa1]

Ranger Nick you are an inspiration: You are an Educator, a teacher, an edutainer ! Our future generation need more teachers like you.. What a special gift you are to all those who have the pleasure of being in your presence. You made me smile and you taught me more than 'a thing or two' ! I rate this one of my top 3 Ted Talks ! Thank you Ali Pilling ePlants

[@lesdance3237]

Ranger Nick you just made my day!!! From a teacher to a teacher, we do teach because we care! Teachers smile, teachers are charismatic, teachers inspire. Thank you for making me laugh out loud about the football player and the turtle stamp!! You are a gem, and you have touched so many lives. Thank you for touching mine too!!!

[@shyannenicholewymer]

What a great human being and educator. Those who are lucky enough to get to experience his passion and his presence inside a classroom should definitely not take it for granted! Thank you for all you do!

[@jedfriedland1520]

Nice modeling of presence, pacing, authenticity and humor. Great theme and delivery.

[@lesdance3237]

I agree!! Us teachers are also actors!! 🤩

[@lisaapau2253]

My word was love! I was close ❤️

[@Once_More_With_Feeling]

Dr. Fuhrman (DUDE!!!) is living the DREAM!

[@JLaw954]

Well done, Ranger Nick. Great teachers make 23 mins fly by and leave the audience wanting more.

[@TheodoreJohnKaczynski997]

my music teacher saw us once tired so she put on some relaxing music and let us sleep in class one of the best teachers i ever had.

[@alansteiner3173]

Ranger Nick, Mister Rogers genuine people, teaching, being themselves, you can feel the care.

[@aprilsmith9210]

Exactly!

[@dhanaazm7897]

Ranger Nick you are Pawsome and Owlstanding. Thank you Dear Nick. Love you.

[@deepaksunarofficial]

In my short teaching experience in early ages, I had nurtured a few drug addict students and change other way round their lives. They are life time happy now. Well said, Nick!

[@ms.mallett1840]

Love this talk! I have been teaching for 28 years and love it like you do! The enthusiasm never wanes!

[@sharon7522]

This is an A+ teacher - Thank you for inspiring teachers to make a difference! Yes, great teachers just care!⭐🐢

[@guzmacmomof4]

Great teaching goes down to this exactly and that builds connections. We all need connections

[@kathygann7632]

As a Speech Pathologist for elementary and high school students, my assignment was changed to preschool (3year olds)and middle schoolers. I knew about middle schoolers and was terrified of them. As I worked with them, I realized they were at exactly the same developmental level as preschoolers. Both were trying to separate from parents and identify more with peers. And both loved earning gummy bears by completing homework. As I was handing out homework, a teacher was walking by, and stopped dead in his tracks. My kids were begging for more homework. I told them they already had 10 pieces, and they were going to wipe me out. They begged for more and I told them to do each piece twice if they wanted more so finally they left. The teacher said he’d NEVER heard middle schoolers beg for homework. 3 year olds and 13 year olds will do anything for gummy bears!

[@turtlemom62]

I have been teaching biology for 24 years. This made me cry. What an incredible man and wonderful presentation!

[@anahitharutyunyan5754]

After listening to the ted talk delivered by Dr Nick Fuhrman I started giving questions to myself the answers of which could let me understand the ideas that the speker wanted us to think of. Who is the one great teaher that comes to your mind? What makes him/her special or better than others? One of the things that Fuhrman said but didn’t concentrate on was that we can have impact on others both in and out of the classroom. According to him the thinkgs that all great teachers do were the following 1) celebrate mistake 2) appreciate differences 3) relay feedback 4) evaluate themsekves And lastly the speaker ended his speech by citing Maya Angelou “The one thing that all great teachers genuinely do is care”. Despite Fuhrman was mainly speaking about teachers-student relationships, I think it is worth mentioning that communication with some people outside of school or university can mean much more than the years passed with them, since that one prson can give a greater lesson to you than the teacher with all the four mentioned “ characteristics”. I have a personal example. During fall 2019 I was part of WCIT in Yerevan working as a personal assistant for Jim Poisant, secretary general of WITSA, and albeit the time was limited I gained a valuable life lesson from him which was “ whenever you feel disappointed or bad because of another person, remember that bad feeling and never let anyone feel the same way because of YOU”

[@holliroll8789]

Good point

[@trishgardner6390]

Appreciate the differences.This is the key to all teaching.

[@ellendieringer8418]

That WAS my 1st answer! You remember them for life- watched this my accident but you’re good speaker!

[@joetinker7855]

thank you nick, you are the new and improved generation of an already great person

[@hussamalmaqtari8597]

One of the best best best videos I have ever seen

[@mr.c2485]

Great teachers are approachable.

[@carlisle3469]

Stumbled upon this--couldn't stop watching! Thank you, Ranger Nick!

[@KageManTV]

Who are the 288 that need a hug? See the ESP. What a great talk this was! I loved the references to animals.

[@katien1684]

I'm convinced of the following..all those negative people who gave Dr. Nick a THUMBS DOWN didn't have someone like him while growing up teaching them to be a good HUMAN BEING!

[@rhondamoffit6490]

I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU FOR SHARING!!!!!

[@amalgamatedpurpose1687]

I am so glad i came upon your Ted Talk. Have been feeling emotional all day, tearful even. Debating with myself how the remaining days of my life should look. You have helped decide. Soif I can not be Ranger Seumas, then I can just care. Thats enough for me. God bless.

[@katrinalewis802]

What you describe is much more than a teacher, it is a mentor. What an achievement! My favorite Ted Talk.

[@jordanloyola8086]

Currently in school to become a school counselor and this is exactly what I needed to hear. This guy is amazing! His students must adore him.

[@violetbunny7125]

he was awesome

[@kevinshoemaker8459]

Absolutely wonderful job

[@keyuzhang9510]

tears almost burst, Can't believe... i give you my owl stamp!

[@foundingfath3r]

This video makes me emotional. Someone who TRULY cares. All teachers should embody this energy. What a great man.

[@hugshoney3409]

Wow!! Amazing 👏

[@sophietand3240]

Thank you very much Ranger Nick! You are a great person and a wonderful teacher! You made me happy!

[@ShelleyCarpenterYoga]

Thank you for caring and teaching. The world is a better place with you in it!

[@aprilsmith9210]

Ditto!! Thank you for caring enough to share to us all via TED!

[@mikelundrigan2285]

He even taught us about the importance of “keystone” species! Just watched the story of this critical understanding , “The Serengeti Rules” on PBS’s Nature! Highly recommended!! Bravo Ranger Rick!!👏👏👏

[@JACNAC]

It's amazing what we can accomplish with Love...

[@nabilakousar1761]

I am glad that I have listened to this great talk. What a phenomenal person he is❤ This world needs more and more people like him. May god bless him with health and happiness so he may be able to teach and educate his students with CARE❤❤❤

[@NurseMo337]

One of the best ted talks ive seen. We need more like him in school

[@ATLScotty105]

Thanks for reminding me how important great teachers are. You're a gem.

[@roberthiggins2252]

Great teachers:1. Celebrate mistakes 2. Appreciate differences 3. Relay feedback 4. Evaluate themselves Great teachers CARE. If you think about it, these 4 points should apply to everyone all the time. For example, as a dad, husband, friend, etc, I should be putting these things into practice in all of those roles I have.

[@klaytonpeterson1596]

Edutainment....perfect!!

[@misssuereal]

Towards the end when he asked again what we think of a great teacher and I whispered to myself 'just someone who cares'...I burst into tears when he listed it down and highlighted CARE. Because truly those are the teachers I still remember till this day.

[@bluemoongypsies]

Much respect to you Ranger Nick, my answer to "good teachers -------- " was "care" and you spelled that out perfectly.

[@karenlin-mahar3403]

He absolutely nailed it! Great teachers CARE! Thank you Ranger Nick… that was an invaluable learning and message for us all… I am also an educator at university and I do think we often forget this is the secret ingredient. 💖☺️

[@EasyEnglishbyMohitsir]

Amazing speech!

[@PPN451]

Great teachers love people!

[@wellbizcarol]

Nick, you are the most amazing person I ever had the honor to listen too. I‘m a reacher and I‘m going to aspire to be just like you. Thank you so much.

[@michelynfarrell5006]

This is what we teachers need right now. Shake off the confusion and remember what’s important.

[@adelinaclonts7004]

One of the beat talks I’ve heard about teachers! Simplicity for understanding and greatness in its point! Well done!!! 🎶 🍎I also write those little notes! Every age loves it!♥️

[@johnhughes1952]

Could listen to him forever!

[@Glennhairston]

This gentleman is outstanding he knows how to connect with people

[@yogawithkelly2095]

Wow, this is incredible. We need more people like Ranger Nick in this world. Thank you!

[@kyliecollard2893]

Thankyou

[@haroldwebb9237]

Ranger Nick, Thank you for the great Ted Talk. As I've grown into the twilight of my teaching career, I am always, as you say, evaluating myself, and PD these days can often be focused on many of the things that DON'T make a good teacher. Talks like these inspire and motivate me though, and I can so relate to your story and subject matter. As a 23+ veteran 8th grade science teacher, I too was inspired to teach/coach from a young age of 15 when I had my own youth hockey team to coach. I've never wanted to do anything else. And, as a science teacher, I have many reptile friends in my classroom, including a corn snake. Animals break barriers with teenagers and always gets their attention, they also seems to magically overcome generational divides and cell phones. Thanks for the inspiration! I'll remember to CARE!

[@OkechukwuOfili]

Eggcellent presentation!

[@malikasebou7225]

Great teachers CARE about their students and do everything so that they will never forget how they made them feel . Well said , thanks a bunch for this insightful presentation. I am a teacher and I totally agree with you.

[@vilsainteugenie4229]

Good teacher

[@joell527]

Amazing. It has inspired me to start a new week of teaching. Thank you.

[@BrianSullivanopus125]

Absolutely one of the most authentic and beautiful lessons I wish I applied when I was younger

[@marlena72]

Absolutely enjoyed your Ted talk. Thank you Ranger Nick, Shelly, and Snowy for making me smile. My principal in elementary had turtles and snakes in his office. That was the only time any student actually wanted to go the principal's office. 😊

[@ninsophy9798]

No word came to my mind the first time he asked me to fill the blank I took a break and when he asked again the first thing that came to my ming was "listen" I'm happy I came this close c:

[@ricajaneregaton7312]

What an fruitful talk! especially to us future educator. Thank You Ranger Nick.