What do you think?
Rate this book
Today I Made a Difference: A Collection of Inspirational Stories from America's Top Educators
This collection of inspiration stories from America’s top educators is sure to inspire, celebrate, and motivate the people who make the biggest difference in everyone’s life.
Everyone remembers that teacher who made a difference. The one who went the extra mile to truly affect lives, whose lessons carried as much importance outside the classroom as inside.
This book is a celebration of those teachers who continue to make an impact. A collection of stories from some of the country's top educators, this book is a celebration of teachers' work, and motivation for them to continue.
Joseph Underwood has collected stories from each of the twenty-eight 2004 Disney Teacher™ of the Year honorees. And every story celebrates a different obstacle they overcame, the power and know-how needed to triumph, and the reward granted upon beating the odds.
Today I Made a Difference is the perfect gift for anyone in or considering the profession.
Everyone remembers that teacher who made a difference. The one who went the extra mile to truly affect lives, whose lessons carried as much importance outside the classroom as inside.
This book is a celebration of those teachers who continue to make an impact. A collection of stories from some of the country's top educators, this book is a celebration of teachers' work, and motivation for them to continue.
Joseph Underwood has collected stories from each of the twenty-eight 2004 Disney Teacher™ of the Year honorees. And every story celebrates a different obstacle they overcame, the power and know-how needed to triumph, and the reward granted upon beating the odds.
Today I Made a Difference is the perfect gift for anyone in or considering the profession.
240 pages, Paperback
First published April 18, 2009
109 people are currently reading
280 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 2, 2023
this book had me choked up so many times. it was so good and so inspirational! it reminds me why i chose teaching and is something to go back to when i’m having a rough day. super cute and an easy read!
February 22, 2012
I started reading this book awhile ago and finally finished it.
You want to know why people become teachers? Why teachers do what they do with little gratitude and little pay? Read this book. We do it to make an impact in the lives of students. These tales from teachers across the United States can not only inspire teachers who are having a hard time, but other people who want to know what to do to make an impact in someones life.
You want to know why people become teachers? Why teachers do what they do with little gratitude and little pay? Read this book. We do it to make an impact in the lives of students. These tales from teachers across the United States can not only inspire teachers who are having a hard time, but other people who want to know what to do to make an impact in someones life.
May 20, 2019
I was really excited to read this book. As a teacher, I always try to find books that are going to inspire me, or educate me more on how to make a difference in my students lives. However, I was a little bit let down by this one.
It is really hard to review a book that is so personally written by someone, or in this case, a group of people. Reviewing a book like this almost feels like you're reviewing them as a teacher, not as a writer, because the purpose of this book was to inspire and entertain readers with educational stories and essays.
So, I am going to review this on the inclination that the purpose of this book was to:
a) Inspire others, especially educators.
b) Entertain readers.
This book is pretty short, a few hundred pages, and I read it in one sitting. I enjoyed quite a few of the stories, especially the chapter about the girl who was hearing impaired, another that was about a boy with muscular dystrophy and the one about Andrew, a unique student. Those particular chapters were inspiring, and I enjoyed reading their stories.
However, that is kind of where it ends for me. I felt that all of the other stories were ok. I feel like as a teacher, and knowing teachers, perhaps I could have put together a book with better stories. Again, it feels so wrong to judge a book based on something so personal, but if you are putting together a book I feel like it should contain memorable stories or at least be written in an interesting way.
A good example of this was in The Freedom Writers Diary. I would not say the stories were any more interesting than the ones presented in Today I Made a Difference, but they were written in a way that engaged the reader, and made them want to read more. I did not feel that with this book. I just kind of felt like I was reading some average stories with no storyteller elements.
Unfortunately this was just 'meh' for me. I wouldn't rate it lower than a 3, but if I was to base it on enjoyment alone it would have been more of a 1.5-2. However, I don't think it is right to rate it that low as at the end of the day these were true stories.
If you are an educator, I think you could find better books to spend your time reading. Like I said, this was just kind of a let down for me.
It is really hard to review a book that is so personally written by someone, or in this case, a group of people. Reviewing a book like this almost feels like you're reviewing them as a teacher, not as a writer, because the purpose of this book was to inspire and entertain readers with educational stories and essays.
So, I am going to review this on the inclination that the purpose of this book was to:
a) Inspire others, especially educators.
b) Entertain readers.
This book is pretty short, a few hundred pages, and I read it in one sitting. I enjoyed quite a few of the stories, especially the chapter about the girl who was hearing impaired, another that was about a boy with muscular dystrophy and the one about Andrew, a unique student. Those particular chapters were inspiring, and I enjoyed reading their stories.
However, that is kind of where it ends for me. I felt that all of the other stories were ok. I feel like as a teacher, and knowing teachers, perhaps I could have put together a book with better stories. Again, it feels so wrong to judge a book based on something so personal, but if you are putting together a book I feel like it should contain memorable stories or at least be written in an interesting way.
A good example of this was in The Freedom Writers Diary. I would not say the stories were any more interesting than the ones presented in Today I Made a Difference, but they were written in a way that engaged the reader, and made them want to read more. I did not feel that with this book. I just kind of felt like I was reading some average stories with no storyteller elements.
Unfortunately this was just 'meh' for me. I wouldn't rate it lower than a 3, but if I was to base it on enjoyment alone it would have been more of a 1.5-2. However, I don't think it is right to rate it that low as at the end of the day these were true stories.
If you are an educator, I think you could find better books to spend your time reading. Like I said, this was just kind of a let down for me.
September 8, 2020
I'm looking for a book to give as a gift to educators that have made a difference in my life. This one was... meh.
The stories are amazing and powerful. Very few of them lacked the power to show people what teaching is all about and the sacrifices that teachers make and particularly the creativity that teachers display to reach their students on a daily basis.
The problem was that they translated that quite poorly to writing. Each teacher told their own individual story, and while some did a good job, others possessed the writing skills of an eighth-grader - you could tell they were over-zealous and trying to tell their stories instead of just telling them and letting them speak for themselves and that, to me, was a disappointment.
Also, the intro which was literally 10-15% of the content of the book, was extremely off-putting and set me off on the wrong track entirely. I'd say just skip it!
The stories are amazing and powerful. Very few of them lacked the power to show people what teaching is all about and the sacrifices that teachers make and particularly the creativity that teachers display to reach their students on a daily basis.
The problem was that they translated that quite poorly to writing. Each teacher told their own individual story, and while some did a good job, others possessed the writing skills of an eighth-grader - you could tell they were over-zealous and trying to tell their stories instead of just telling them and letting them speak for themselves and that, to me, was a disappointment.
Also, the intro which was literally 10-15% of the content of the book, was extremely off-putting and set me off on the wrong track entirely. I'd say just skip it!
July 19, 2019
All teachers go through similar things: the struggle to reach that one student, the challenges with parental and environmental issues that students carry into the classroom, the realization - often much later than you wish - that you had a positive impact.
I loved reading about these teacher experiences. I felt a solidarity with them. I understood how they felt because I've been in their shoes. I related to their disappointment when a situation didn't turn out as they hoped. I was elated when they found success.
Teaching is simultaneously the most heart-breaking and most rewarding career. Reading this book, I was reminded why I chose to teach.
I loved reading about these teacher experiences. I felt a solidarity with them. I understood how they felt because I've been in their shoes. I related to their disappointment when a situation didn't turn out as they hoped. I was elated when they found success.
Teaching is simultaneously the most heart-breaking and most rewarding career. Reading this book, I was reminded why I chose to teach.
August 15, 2021
As a soon-to-be tenured teacher, and after almost 2 years of enduring the education system in the midst of this relentless pandemic, I have struggled to maintain passion and a driving force to keep afloat in this career field and this text is just what I needed. The raw, organic anecdotes of immense struggle resulting in the most beautifully rewarding moments for these esteemed educators and their students has restored my motivation and the reason I became a teacher in the first place. A great read for any new teachers or those in the field questioning if they are in fact where they are meant to be.
November 29, 2024
This book is very insightful for all teachers! When teachers feel like they aren’t reaching their students, having a difficult time connecting, or just feel like they aren’t making a difference…look to this book! It provides stories to educators that have all felt the anxiety and overwhelming thoughts of potential failure (no matter how untrue they are). You’ll begin to realize that even the smallest, most insignificant (maybe, to you) events can truly change a student’s perspective on life.
March 8, 2020
An amazing inspiring book for teachers and anyone who wants to be inspired. I loved every page, every contribution. As a fellow educator, my passion for teaching was renewed daily! Every teacher who needs inspiration in their work (which we all do) should read this book. I highly recommend it. I will be giving my copy to another teacher friend and will give one as a gift to my student teacher.
February 11, 2018
I found this book to be an easy read, when I had the time, and recommend it for anyone who is in education or cares about educating our country’s children. The stories are a reminder of those moments that make teaching wonderful and challenging, usually at the same time.
December 27, 2021
Full reflection in my book club journal!!!
Overall - 3-3.5 rating
I felt like a lot of the book screamed privileged and outdated lenses
Biggest takeaways:
The best teachers do it for the right reasons
Teaching can be BOTH universally the same AND worlds apart, dependent on the environment
Overall - 3-3.5 rating
I felt like a lot of the book screamed privileged and outdated lenses
Biggest takeaways:
The best teachers do it for the right reasons
Teaching can be BOTH universally the same AND worlds apart, dependent on the environment
November 7, 2024
I am an education major in college and was assigned to read this book and I absolutely enjoyed it so much. Each and every story had such meaning behind it and it’s really encouraging and motivating. It got me excited to teach and make an impact on students💗
October 13, 2019
I’m not a big fan of memoirs. I did enjoy this collection of short stories about education, life and students. ❤️
August 16, 2020
the sweetest collection of stories for any fellow influencers of the nugs! helps us remember why we do what we do.
December 8, 2020
Lots of uplifting stories in this!
February 18, 2023
Such a beautiful book to inspire all teachers
September 10, 2023
Definitely a bucket filler!
December 1, 2010
I was attracted to this book because actually I am in awe of dedicated teachers.
Teaching as a profession is a calling of love,dedication and endless work. I've been a home-room parent, classroom volunteer, chaperone, coach, mother of three- but could not be a "Teacher".
My daughter just said of this profession in which she recently joined and loves: "Teaching is an uphill climb. Some days are just steeper than others."
There are many great stories of accomplishment and defeat but the best ones are about inspiring confidence. It seems that this is the most important theme.
Teaching as a profession is a calling of love,dedication and endless work. I've been a home-room parent, classroom volunteer, chaperone, coach, mother of three- but could not be a "Teacher".
My daughter just said of this profession in which she recently joined and loves: "Teaching is an uphill climb. Some days are just steeper than others."
There are many great stories of accomplishment and defeat but the best ones are about inspiring confidence. It seems that this is the most important theme.
July 16, 2019
Each and every Educator has a different story. I also have mine and many of my students remain near and dear to my heart as well. Some I still see after thirty or more years. Sometimes I wonder if others had just a little more support from home, could their story have turned out better? I tried my best but I couldn’t reach them all.
November 8, 2010
I am reading this book to help me process some of the good and not so good experiences I had as a teacher. I realize I had no one to talk to about my life as a teacher. These stories are rekindling my past experiences so that I may heal the loss of the classroom.
January 30, 2013
This book inspires me in many ways. Teachers, if you are planning to give up your profession, I suggest that you grab a copy of this book, and read it first before you finally decide.
This book made me smile and cry at the same time.
^_^
A MUST READ!!!
This book made me smile and cry at the same time.
^_^
A MUST READ!!!
February 1, 2017
Truly, truly an inspirational read for anyone and everyone, but especially those involved in the education system. Highly recommend; especially as a gift to that special teacher who's made a difference in your life.
June 1, 2010
Usually books about teachers make me feel a bit of a loser. But this books stories from teachers rang true and made it twice as hard to say goodbye to the teaching profession.
February 27, 2012
"The future belongs to leaders now being taught by teachers" Art Linkletter
July 6, 2012
By the time I made it through the forward, the introduction, and the letter from Art, I was ready for some stories. I was not impressed.
August 17, 2014
A very inspirational book. Great stories of all the wonderful things that go on in the life of a teacher.
December 23, 2016
Fantastic book that all educators should read more than once.
January 8, 2017
It was an easy read. I read it over Christmas break and it got me re-energized and ready to teach again. I would recommend it for student teachers.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews