Kurt Russell, 2022 National Teacher of the Year, offered a rousing keynote at the Thursday general session. As Lisa Rollins, PDK International’s director of outreach and partnership, introduced Russell, she shared that she had to have a tissue box by her side as she read Teacher of the Year applications because their stories were so moving. And Russell’s story was no exception. A 25-year veteran of the classroom, Russell was first inspired to become an educator in middle school, when he encountered his first Black male teacher. Now he advocates for classrooms to better reflect the students within them. As a history teacher at Ohio’s Oberlin High School, where he was born and raised, he teaches African American history, which he has taught since the late 1990s, and Race, Gender and Oppression, a class he developed.

Russell opened his remarks with a video of a classic Gatorade commercial, in which young people declared they wanted to “be like Mike,” meaning Michael Jordan. Like the kids in the commercial, Russell was a basketball player and thought he could be the next Michael Jordan. But then he realized that “it’s teachers that really put a stamp on all other cultures, and all other professions. Everything that is good in this country, everything that is worthy in this country, everything that is beautiful in this country, begins with a teacher.” For example, playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda perhaps seemed a little too creative for school, but his 8th grade teacher told him that his work was worthy. That teacher’s encouragement led him to create what some consider the greatest musical of all time, Hamilton.

For Russell, his inspiration came from his kindergarten teacher Ms. Toss. At Eastwood Elementary School in Oberlin, his class had 15 students, 13 of which were students of color, and 12 of whom were Black. Ms. Toss saw something in her students and did what she could to give them examples to follow. Russell was inspired by a book called Young Martin, about Martin Luther King Jr. Ms. Toss “could have read any book, but she said ‘No, I will provide my students with representation’” and chose a book about someone who looked like them.

Mr. Thomas, his 8^th grade math teacher at Langston Middle School, was his first Black male teacher. Mr. Thomas “was that teacher that every student loved. Why? Because Mr. Thomas loved his students.”

“Who do I want to be like?” he said. “I want to be like Ms. Toss. I want to be like Mr. Thomas. I want to be like you.”

The students in Educators Rising inspired Russell because at a time when not many people want to go into teaching, “You believe that the only way to be sure that this country becomes the best version of itself is to become a teacher.”

“I’m inspired by you,” he told them. “You give me hope each and every day.”

He went on to challenge the students to become teachers who liberate their students and put them on the path of being worthwhile. “Allow your existence to shine; allow your presence to shine,” he said. “When you open your first classroom door, and your students walk in, give them what your favorite teacher gave you, and that is love.”

To close out the keynote, students had the opportunity to ask questions. In response, Russell shared his thoughts on the importance of loving kids, not just liking them; creating a positive classroom culture; connecting with students by showing up at their events; dealing with burnout; and having mentors.