Teaching Happiness

Discover the good life through resilience, creativity, and community.

Dee Williams Response to Fall 2012 Essay Winners

posted Dec 19, 2012

Dee Williams, who downsized from a three-bedroom to an 84-square-foot house, responds to essay winners of the Fall 2012 writing competition.

Fall 2012 Powerful Voice Winner Paw Soe

posted 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

posted 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

posted Oct 11, 2012

Judy Pruim's candid story takes you behind the scenes of Muskegon High's Teen Health Center—a place where students feel safe, and their success and well being are supported.

YES! Recommends: Dream of a Nation

posted 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.

Winter 2012 High School Winner Johnny Bobo

by Johnny Bobo

posted 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

posted 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.

Curriculum & Resources: De-Stress Your Classroom

posted 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.

Curriculum & Resources: The Legacy Project

posted 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.

Author Response to Fall 2011 Writing Competition Winners

by Kate Sheppard

posted Jan 30, 2012

Kate Sheppard, author of, "Why My Dad's Going Green," responds to the winning essays of the Fall 2011 writing competition.

Middle School Winner Haley Coe Essay on "Why My Dad's Going Green"

by Haley Coe

posted 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.

College Winner Cherese Smith Essay on "Why My Dad's Going Green"

by Cherese Smith

posted 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.

Powerful Voice Winner Wesely Mikiska Essay on "Why My Dad's Going Green"

by Wesely Mikiska

posted 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.

Powerful Voice Winner Lourdes Escobar Essay on "Why My Dad's Going Green"

by Lourdes Escobar

posted 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.

YES! Recommends: ServiceSpace

posted 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.