<div>In 1993, when actor Tom Hanks received arguably the highest honor in his profession a Best Actor Oscar he thanked his high school drama teacher. Many can also name a teacher who gave them not only good instruction but also confidence and drive. Coauthor Holly Holbert heard her teacher husband, Bruce Holbert, wonder if he was doing his students any good, this in the face of teachers being blamed for a variety of social and economic woes. So she sent letters to hundreds of people she’d never met and had no reason to believe would respond asking about teachers who mattered to them. She was overwhelmed by answers. Eighty some of these up-close-and-personal stories are featured here. These are delightfully diverse (from acclaimed writer George Saunders to PBS chef May Ann Esposito), wise, and witty testaments to the teachers who do what they do everyday without expecting recognition, but who so richly deserve it.</div>