Ideas worth spreading

Every kid needs a champion

14,704,288 views | Rita Pierson • TED Talks Education

Rita Pierson, a teacher for 40 years, once heard a colleague say, "They don't pay me to like the kids." Her response: "Kids don't learn from people they don't like.'" A rousing call to educators to believe in their students and actually connect with them on a real, human, personal level.

Rita Pierson, a teacher for 40 years, once heard a colleague say, "They don't pay me to like the kids." Her response: "Kids don't learn from people they don't like.'" A rousing call to educators to believe in their students and actually connect with them on a real, human, personal level.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

About the speaker

Rita F. Pierson

See speaker profile

Rita F. Pierson spent her entire life in or around the classroom, having followed both her parents and grandparents into a career as an educator.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.