Howard Rheingold - Teachers Make a Difference

The speaker shares experiences with two influential teachers from their childhood. Initially, they disliked school and were a troublemaker, but Mrs. Birch, a 5th-grade teacher, encouraged their interest in writing. The school environment in the 1950s was strict, and those who didn't fit in were sent to the art room, where the speaker's mother taught. The art room was a place of creative freedom, which significantly shaped the speaker's life. The speaker reflects on the importance of creative expression and the impact of supportive teachers.

What does the teacher imply about the expectations placed on children in school?

Describe the environment of the classrooms in the teacher's school.