Ideas worth spreading

Every kid needs a champion

14,689,211 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

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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.