Being outdoors is proven to help students reduce stress and improve creativity. Joe Kassay creates field experiences for his Summit High Outdoor Ed students. They learn wilderness first aid and other important skills. They enjoy backpacking trips to discover more about their environment. These classes expose kids to more choices in college and careers, such as leadership in the outdoor industry.

Heather Schierholz is making math fun and relevant. Her Frisco Elementary class learns math using colorful balls, blocks, and Play-doh. "This gives students the ability to see math through concrete items and then create visuals in their minds. When they can work numbers in their heads they gain confidence in their abilities," she said.