This month, we recognize the ongoing impact of the devastating wildfires in Southern California. In the aftermath of a tragedy, teachers often assume a role to offer students emotional support, stability, and hope. This month’s Honoree has been an anchor for his students, supporting them through one of life’s most difficult moments.

Dave Suarez, a social sciences teacher and golf coach at Palisades Charter High School in Pacific Palisades, CA, is the recipient of our June 2025 Honored National Teaching Award. He was nominated for this award by his student, Jacob Leatherman. To help share the impact of Suarez’s teaching, we are joined today by Jacob and Jacob’s mom, Jeannette.

You'll hear about:

- Dave Suarez's journey to becoming a teacher

- Dave's dedication to using engaging activities to help students understand topics and apply them to real-life situations

- Dave's incredible impact on his students after the Palisades Fire

- Dave's passion for coaching golf and helping students create opportunities for themselves academically, athletically, and personally

You'll also hear from Rachel Martin, who shares about a teacher who left an incredible impact on their journey. Rachel Martin is the co-creator and host of Wild Card, an NPR interview game show about life's biggest questions. She invites notable guests to play a card game that lets them open up about the memories, insights, and beliefs that have shaped their lives. Martin spent six years as a host of Morning Edition, and was the founding host of NPR's award-winning morning news podcast Up First.

Links Mentioned:

- Read more about Dave Suarez's story: https://www.honored.org/honoree/dave-suarez

- Nominate a teacher: https://www.honored.org/nominate/

- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/honored/

- Follow us on Twitter: https://x.com/honored/

- Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Honored.org/

- Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/honored.org

Episode Music Credits:

- Music by DanaMusic: https://pixabay.com/users/danamusic-31920663/

- Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

To celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week in May, we are excited to have our first-ever double Honorees! This month, we are sharing the story of two incredible educators who have changed the lives of their students. Hailey Ellzey, a business teacher at Greenbrier High School in Greenbrier, AR, is one of the recipients of our May 2025 Honored National Teaching Award. She was nominated for this award by her student, Jenna Whitely. Joining Hailey in this episode are Jenna and Jenna’s mom, Melanie.

You'll hear about:

- Hailey Ellzey's journey to becoming a teacher

- The impact Hailey has had on Jenna

- Hailey's extraordinary work in helping students learn how to adapt to a fast-changing world

- Hailey's passion for supporting students with community involvement and professional development

You'll also hear from Vincent Cobb, who shares about a teacher who left an incredible impact on their journey. Cobb is the CEO of Summer House Institute (‘Summer House’), a national organization committed to inspiring, developing and growing the next generation of Black male educators in U.S. public schools.

Links Mentioned:

- Read more about Hailey Ellzey's story: https://www.honored.org/honoree/hailey-ellzey

- Listen to the story of our other May 2025 Honoree: https://honored.podbean.com/e/may-honoree-misty-burgess-greenbrier-high-school-greenbrier-ar/

- Nominate a teacher: https://www.honored.org/nominate/

- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/honored/

- Follow us on Twitter: https://x.com/honored/

- Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Honored.org/

- Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/honored.org

- Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@honoredteachers

Episode Music Credits:

- Music by DanaMusic: https://pixabay.com/users/danamusic-31920663/

- Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

To celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week in May, we are excited to have our first-ever double Honorees! This month, we are sharing the story of two incredible educators who have changed the lives of their students. Misty Burgess, a business teacher at Greenbrier High School in Greenbrier, AR, is one of the recipients of our May 2025 Honored National Teaching Award. She was nominated for this award by her student, Zandrea Story. Joining Misty in this episode are Zandrea and Zandrea's mom, Heather.

You'll hear about:

- Misty Burgess's journey to becoming a teacher

- The impact Misty has had on Zandrea

- Misty's extraordinary work in cultivating an environment where students can be the best versions of themselves

- Misty's passion for supporting students in preparing for the future

You'll also hear from Vincent Cobb, who shares about a teacher who left an incredible impact on their journey. Cobb is the CEO of Summer House Institute (‘Summer House’), a national organization committed to inspiring, developing and growing the next generation of Black male educators in U.S. public schools.

Links Mentioned:

- Read more about Misty Burgess's story: https://www.honored.org/honoree/misty-burgess

- Listen to the story of our other May 2025 Honoree: https://honored.podbean.com/e/may-honoree-hailey-ellzey-greenbrier-high-school-greenbrier-ar/

- Nominate a teacher: https://www.honored.org/nominate/

- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/honored/

- Follow us on Twitter: https://x.com/honored/

- Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Honored.org/

- Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/honored.org

- Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@honoredteachers

Episode Music Credits:

- Music by DanaMusic: https://pixabay.com/users/danamusic-31920663/

- Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/