Teacher Inspires Kids To Love Learning

Rafe Esquith Motivates Los Angeles Students With His Own Dedication

(CBS)  It's only 6:15 a.m., nearly two hours before school begins, but Rafe Esquith is already at work, giving extra help to his fifth-grade students. It's a typical day in Room 56, but you soon realize, his classroom is anything but typical, CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker reports.

"The key to this classroom, if you look, there is no teacher's desk in here. Desks are for sitting, and I'm not paid to sit," Esquith says.

He's a 52-year old maestro in motion. He's on a mission to make sure his inner-city students not only are not left behind, but soar ahead.

Why does he care so much about these students? "I care because I'm angry. I mean, this is supposed to be a land of equal opportunity. And it's not," Esquith explains.

While too many Los Angeles students struggle to read at grade level, these students are devouring the classics.

When they read of Huck Finn's dilemma — whether to turn in runaway slave Jim or break the law — they get it.

"The average reading score at our school last year was like 29 percent or something. This classroom was in the high 80s," Esquith says, proudly.

"He makes us understand that the work is not only hard to do, but fun," says 10-year old Eduardo Sorto.

"If I want those children to work hard, then I better be the hardest worker they ever saw," Esquith says.

He is. He just wrote a book about his experiences in the classroom. He even comes in Saturdays to help former students with SAT preps. And if that weren't enough, his current class — like all his classes for two decades — learn music.

They're polishing moves for their one-of-a-kind, rock performance of Shakespeare. This year, they'll perform "Macbeth" — the entire play — with perhaps the smallest, certainly the cutest Macbeth ever.

No less an authority than Sir Ian McKellen, who has played a bit of Shakespeare himself, marvels at what they do.

"They understand every single word. That couldn't be said of all actors who do Shakespeare," McKellen says.

"Our Shakespeare play takes a year of their lives, a year where they give up television. But they're so happy doing it that they all think it's worth it," Esquith says.

The class motto is "Be nice. Work hard." That's taken his students to places most never dreamed of before entering Room 56.

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To read about "Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire" by Rafe Esquith, click here. To hear Mr. Esquith on podcast, click here.

[pstuart1]

Thank you, CBS News, for sharing this positive story with us. I appreciated reading about Mr. Esquith's determination to help students succeed! Like him, I am also angry at the negative stereotypes so often portrayed in society, especially towards people with disabilities. While most people see my cerebral palsy as an adversity in itself, I see it as a genuine gift that I have been given in life.

I have devoted my life to the overall idea that "One man can make a difference" by hosting motivational assemblies for K-12 students. During these programs, I share with students the positive perspectives and the realities of growing up with -- and conquering -- a physical disability. I think that many CBS News readers would agree that there is no better feeling in the world than to make students smile and feel good about themselves, because THEY are the future of this country, and if we can develop the attitude that enables us to overcome our own adversity, we then have the motivation to realize any goal and dream! Whether it's playing in the championship basketball game or scoring that A on the next math test.

Please keep in mind that the only real handicaps we have are those we create for ourselves. That's exactly the message that Mr. Esquith is sending loud and clear, and he deserves our commendations.

Let''s continue to make a positive difference -- together.

Paul Stuart Wichansky
Motivational Speaker, A Vision in Motion Speakers Bureau

[sierrarose69]

Paul Stuart Wichansky comments above say it all.

There are not enough descriptive words to express my appreciation for what Mr. Esquith is doing.

I come from a family of teachers and I know what dedication it takes to be a teacher who wants to help their students learn and finds a way to reach those students so they can learn.

If no one but his students and their parents knew how dedicated he is, I am sure that is reward enough.

I have added Mr. Esquith's contact information so hopefully others will contact him directly to express their gratitude for his efforts.

Rafe Esquith
Hobart Elementary
Hobart Shakespeareans
980 South Hobart Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90006
PH: 213-200-4700
e-mail address: [e-mail]

Karen Harsh

[destinismom]

Arts Alive, America!

Imagine if every elementary kid in the nation experienced a school day like these lucky kids. Does this not speak volumes for the need to change the whole public school system?

If EVERY CHILD in America DID experience ART every day... we'd see less dysfunction, less addiction and much less violence. The proof is here. Come on, parents/voters... how much more do we need?


Arts Alive!! America... FOR OUR KIDS.


gywn phillips
Handicapped Adult Student
BA in Theatre Arts
Penn State University

[francis772]

I am a 77 year old man, employed full time as a Security Assistant by the LA Sheriff's Dept.at the San Fernando Court House. I Love to read as do my four children.
I have little to give except my love of learning. My oldest daughter is a Director of a Montosory (?) school in Seattle. My son is a gifted landscape contractor in Seattle. My twin girls, 38, one is a RN, Clinical Nurse Specialest, Pedaratic Orthopedics, (specializing in "club foot") and her twin sister, Dawn, is a research scientest doing DNA research on cancer in Santa Monica.
I live in the City of San Fernando at 1008 Fourth St. phone [phone]. I work Mon - Fri from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. I would love to volentear to help Esquith in his work.
Is there anything I could do to help him in his work?
Thank you.
FDR