LISTEN: The teachers who shaped us

Man with red tie and female with red tie stand in front of a blackboard.
P.S. Weekly reporter Dorothy Ha and her Stuyvesant High School English teacher, Emilio Nieves. (Cindy Ye / For Chalkbeat)

It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and in this special episode, P.S. Weekly and Chalkbeat reporters — plus their parents — share stories about the teachers who have inspired, encouraged, and shaped them.

This episode goes out to the “dedicated adults — sometimes strict, sometimes goofy — who make us feel safe, make us feel seen, who push us to excel,” said host and Beacon High School junior Bernie Carmona.

P.S. Weekly is available on major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Be sure to drop a review in your app or shoot an email to PSWeekly@chalkbeat.org. Tell us what you learned today or what you’re still wondering. We just might read your comment on a future episode.

P.S. Weekly is a collaboration between Chalkbeat and The Bell. Listen for new episodes Wednesdays this spring.

The Latest

The push to increase pay for paraprofessionals comes as UFT President Michael Mulgrew is up for re-election this year. Some educators who hope to unseat him have called attention to the issue.

Colorado students with Students Demand Action held a rally and then talked with lawmakers about how gun violence has impacted them and the fear they live with daily.

Indianapolis-area teachers will share their classroom experiences at this story slam that’s co-hosted by Chalkbeat Indiana on Feb. 25.

With the Trump administration stepping up immigration enforcement in Chicago, schools are on high alert and finding ways to help students navigate the situation.

Lawmakers defeat amendments seeking to strengthen accountability and protections for students with disabilities.

Damon teaches history at Denver’s DELTA High School. She is one of four finalists for the national award.