Teaching Happiness — YES! Magazine

Get Happy From the Inside Out

7 Doors to Happiness Project guides your students to explore what makes them–and others–happy.

"Your Dream House" Middle School Winner Rowan Treece by Rowan Treece Dec 19, 2012: Rowan Treece is a student at Catlin Gabel School in Portland, Oregon. She read and responded to the YES! Magazine article, "Living Large in a Tiny House" by Carol Estes. Read Rowan's essay about the sustainable dance community home she would build so she could live with her ballet sisters every day and save the planet.
"Your Dream House" Powerful Voice Winner Paw Soe by Paw Soe Dec 19, 2012: Paw Soe is a student at New Tech Academy at Wayne High School. She read and responded to the YES! Magazine article, "Living Large in a Tiny House," by Carol Estes. Read Paw's essay about how her Burmese roots taught her that no matter the size of your home, an abundant garden is essential.
The Power of Introverts Oct 12, 2012: Does society favor extroverts over introverts? In this TEDTalk, social psychologist Susan Cain takes us into an introvert's world, and shares why being quiet and contemplative should be acknowledged and celebrated.
Putting Teen Health First by Judy Pruim Oct 11, 2012: Social worker Judy Pruim takes you behind the scenes at Muskegon High's Teen Health Center at —a place where students feel safe, and their success and well being are supported. This is Judy's story.
YES! Recommends: Dream of a Nation by Jing Fong Sep 17, 2012: Dream of a Nation explores today's challenges with new ideas and solutions through the perspective of on-the-ground thought leaders. It generously offers educators a range of free, downloadable resources, including lesson plans, interviews, videos, and discussion guides.
"The Ethics of Hunting" High School Winner Johnny Bobo by Johnny Bobo May 02, 2012: Johnny Bobo is a student at Federal Hocking High School in Guysville, OH. He read and responded to the YES! Magazine article, "What's the Harm in Hunting" by Alyssa Johnson. Read Johnny's essay about responsible hunting.
YES! Recommends: StoryCorps by Jing Fong May 02, 2012: StoryCorps records and archives interviews of everyday Americans to preserve history and personal stories. Its National Teachers Initiative was created to celebrate great teachers and to highlight their invaluable contributions and influence on students and all of us.
De-Stress Your Classroom by Jing Fong Mar 14, 2012: Edutopia bundle of resources on meditation programs that can be used in school. Steps and benefits to bringing meditation to the classroom.
Author Response to "Bridging Differences" Essay Winners by Kate Sheppard Jan 30, 2012: Kate Sheppard, author of, "Why My Dad's Going Green," responds to the winning essays of the Fall 2011 writing competition.
"Bridging Differences" College Winner Cherese Smith by Cherese Smith Jan 30, 2012: Cherese Smith is a student at Shoreline Community College in Shoreline, Washington, just north of Seattle. She read and responded to the YES! Magazine article, "Why My Dad's Going Green," by Kate Sheppard. Read Cherese's essay about trying to understand her grandmother's prejudice against Hispanic people.
"Bridging Differences" Powerful Voice Winner Wesely Mikiska by Wesely Mikiska Jan 30, 2012: Wesely Mikiska is a student at Appalachian State University. He read and responded to the YES! Magazine article, "Why My Dad's Going Green," by Kate Sheppard. Read Wesely's essay about the value of compromise.
"Bridging Differences" Powerful Voice Winner Lourdes Escobar by Lourdes Escobar Jan 30, 2012: Lourdes Escobar is a sixth grade student at John Muir Middle School, a Los Angeles Unified school operated in conjunction with the nonprofit LA's Promise. She read and responded to the YES! Magazine article, "Why My Dad's Going Green," by Kate Sheppard. Read Lourdes' essay about her struggle with the choices her father has made.
"Bridging Differences" Middle School Winner Haley Coe by Haley Coe Jan 30, 2012: Haley Coe is a homeschool student with Oak Meadow School. She read and responded to the YES! Magazine article, "Why My Dad's Going Green" by Kate Sheppard. Read Haley's essay about friendship despite disagreement.
The Legacy Project by Jing Fong Jan 30, 2012: Cornell Professor Karl Pillemer, founder of The Legacy Project: Lessons for Living from the Wisest Americans, collected over 1,500 interviews of elders on a variety of subjects. In text and video, the oldest living generations of Americans share their experiences.
YES! Recommends: ServiceSpace by Jing Fong Jan 30, 2012: ServiceSpace is a movement for generosity on social and personal levels. The site features projects that inspire generous behavior and chronicle the acts of kindness of ServiceSpace volunteers.