What makes school fun? An inspiring teacher! Stories of gratitude for the people who devote their lives to helping students learn and grow: classroom teachers, librarians, and principals. Click here for this episode's transcript.

Segments were produced by Jay from Southlake, Texas; Marium and Aruja from El Paso, Texas; and Connor and Jay from Clinton Township, Michigan.

Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske produced this episode with editing and mixing by Wyatt Mayes, with help from Genesis Magpayo. Ryan Janes is the camera and audio operator.

To wrap up Teacher Appreciation Week, we present this special BONUS episode where we flipped the mic and gave space to educators who reflected on the small moments that make it all worth it—student shoutouts, surprise gifts, and memories that linger. This episode is an audio love letter to the people who keep showing up: one student, one story, one rubber duck at a time.

Click here for this episode’s transcript.

Featured educators:

• AJ Chambers, Columbia, South Carolina
• Evan Andre, Meadville, Pennsylvania
• Jared Agard, Beaverton, Oregon
• Jennifer Wax, McKeesport, Pennsylvania
• Jen Chaffman, Huntersville, North Carolina
• Julie Tiedens, Black River Falls, Wisconsin
• Heather Putnam, Goodyear, Arizona
• Michael Kaufman, Clinton Township, Michigan
• Mindy Pavone, Clinton, New York

Student voices:

• Anastasiia – Leander, Texas
• Alexis – Clinton Township, Michigan
• Brianna – Clinton Township, Michigan
• Ani – Royal Oak, Michigan
• Beatrix – Austin, Texas
• Roury – San Diego, California
• Zion – Clinton Township, Michigan

Have a story about teaching you'd like to share? Record a voice memo and upload it here.

SRL Senior Manager of Community Engagement Manager Emily Hope Dobkin and Youth Media Producer Justin Rhodes produced this episode with support from Senior Youth Programming Director Victor Fernandez and Youth Media Producer Becky Wandel. Wyatt Mayes edited and mixed this episode.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen joins student reporter Khadeejah Khan for a thoughtful discussion on identity, memory, activism, and the role of art in "abolishing the conditions of voicelessness." In addition, Annalise shares a conversation with her father about growing up Chinese in Ecuador and how he embraces his multiple cultures. Click here for this episode's transcript.

Segments were produced by Annalise from Danville, CA and Khadeejah from Santa Clara, CA. Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske produced this episode with editing and mixing by Genesis Magpayo, and help from Wyatt Mayes. Ryan Janes is the camera and audio operator.

Family bonds shape who we become and what dreams we have for our lives. Teens open up to their parents and siblings about what matters most: their passions, identity, and culture. Click here for this episode's transcript.

Segments were produced by Ava from Black River Falls, WI; Priscilla from Danville, CA; and Denver from Orlando, FL; and Dylan from Boston, MA.

Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske produced this episode with editing and mixing by Wyatt Mayes, with help from Genesis Magpayo. Ryan Janes is our camera and audio operator.

It’s a special episode! Hear 1A host, Jenn White, interview On Our Minds students, Ava (from WI), Jay (from TX), and Michelle (from VA) about who inspires them. 1A is produced by WAMU and distributed by NPR.

Therapist Dr. Joy Harden Bradford discusses her book Sisterhood Heals: The Transformative Power of Healing in Community. Dr. Joy (host of the podcast, Therapy for Black Girls) talks with Bree Campbell (On Our Minds, Season 4 co-host) about sisterhoods, how to create a friend circle, and why boys and young men need supportive friend groups as well. Click here for this episode's transcript.

This interview was produced by Bree Campbell, and this episode was produced by Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske with help from Associate Producer Wyatt Mayes. SRL intern Genesis Magpayo edited and mixed this episode.

How do your friends influence and inspire you? Our friends change us, for better or for worse. The best friendships inspire us to become better versions of ourselves. Staying in touch is key, which is why pen pals and phone calls are important. Click here for this episode's transcript.

Segments were produced by Sakeenah and Tanya from Aurora, Illinois, and Michelle from McLean, Virginia. This episode was produced by Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske with help from Associate Producer Wyatt Mayes. SRL intern Genesis Magpayo edited and mixed this episode.

Listen to the official trailer for the fifth season of On Our Minds from PBS News Student Reporting Labs.

This season will feature teenagers in conversation with people they admire and look up to — in their families, local communities, and the literary world.