Remember the teachers who most shaped your life--and your future?

Maybe they gave you a new perspective on a challenging subject.

Maybe they presented class material in a way that was so much fun, you never realized how much you were learning.

Maybe they saw your potential, long before you did.

And most of all--no "maybe" about it!--they used their talents and creativity to inspire their students and help them grow, while related what they were teaching to those students and their lives.

Over Coffee® has had the pleasure of featuring innumerable teachers in these categories.

While doing justice to all of them is impossible, here are four exceptional educators whom we'd like to spotlight, as we get into Summer, 2025.

Math with meaning

National Board Certified math teacher Krystal Jones relates her subject--mathematics--to solving social problems.

"Math is in everything," Krystal explains, as she discusses the ways she's involved students in her San Jose classroom in math-based projects related to the issues they're seeing around them.

Geometry, proportions and probabilities take on new life for her students as Krystal, who has served as Engineering Education Leader in San Jose's Tech Interactive Museum, guides them through global, socially-conscious project-based experiences.

"I'm the mad scientist," says Mechatronics Engineering Instructor Jim Burnham, of his work at at Silicon Valley Career Technical Education High School.

And his goal, as he shares his expertise from his background as a professional engineer, is to show his students the fun and creative aspects of engineering.

Accordingly, Jim, who won Santa Clara County School District's "Teacher of the Year" Award in 2019, and in 2023, gets his students busy collaborating as they explore construction of devices such as Rube Goldberg machines, haunted-house props and other projects that involve "hacking the world" with Arduinos and Raspberry Pi devices. He also shares his curricula on his website, using his moniker, "STEAM Clown".

And. oh, yes--there may be a few fire-breathing robots along the way.

Meanwhile, Africa VR Campus and Center Founder/CEO Paul Simon Waiyaki and Africa VR Campus and Center Associate Director/XR Girls Africa Founder Diana Njeri are using virtual reality to change the world through education.

Since 2016, their Kenya-based nonprofit has used VR headsets to conduct free weekly classes for teenage girls, teaching them both technical and entrepreneurial skills.

And they're doing so against a background of limited resources and dangerous circumstances for young women.

Diana, who was recently honored with XR Women's Real World Impact Award for her work in the metaverse, explains that among girls from poor families, teenage pregnancies, early marriages and prostitution are rampant. Opportunities to learn technology and skills for a future job market are almost nonexistent.

"Some of these schools don't have roofs!" exclaims Waiyaki, who explains that, during his days as a classroom teacher, the "technology" he was given for teaching consisted of--a television set. But VR became a game-changer for him, Diana and the youth they're serving, after his first immersive experience.

As Africa VR Campus and Center's teaching program has grown and flourished, not only have XR Girls Africa won an award from Girls' STEAM Institute, but a new agricultural project--with an upcoming digital component--has empowered them in unprecedented ways.

And that's just today. We can't wait to tell you more about what they'll do in 2026!

For Anthony Quan, education is about helping students understand the world around them.

And he sees the arts as essential to facilitating that understanding.

As Los Angeles County Office of Education STEM Science Coordinator, Anthony serves all 81 school districts in the county. Focusing on STEAM as well as STEM initiatives, he also provides resources and training for teachers at numerous other institutions, at both K through 12 and college level.

And he sees the "A" of "STEAM" as a crucial element.

"You really can't understand the world if you're just learning science," he explains.

"(Or) if you're just learning math...technology (or) engineering."

History, art and storytelling, he continues, are essential to that understanding.

Anthony, who has a background as a marine biologist and an award-winning middle school science teacher, is also the founder of the Los Angeles County Engaging Girls in STEM: a program designed to show girls the possibilities of future careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

Imagination and a sense of curiosity are at the core of his work.

So is the concept of STEAM as a facilitator for teaching multiple subjects.

"Through a STEAM lens, we can now take one idea and flow in all these different content areas," he says.

"Where can we address one theme) through math, science, history, P.E., etcetera?"

He also encourages teachers to ask students, "What else are you thinking? What questions are coming up? What do you understand, at this point?"

And the goal, he continues, is to get the students "jazzed" about the world around them.

One such opportunity for teachers is coming up this summer.

In partnership with UCLA Science Project, LACOE will be offering two one-day teacher workshops in July and August.

"Science of Boba" will have participants exploring culturally relevant teaching--as they explore the science, including physics, chemistry and life science concepts, behind this popular beverage! (Here's the link for more information.)

Anthony talked about his background, shared the story of Engaging Girls in STEM and offered a closer look at ways to incorporate the arts into STEM teaching, as well as resources available to students and educators through LACOE.

"You have to meet students where they are," says Think Tank Science Program Director Christina Campbell.

That's what Think Tank Science is doing--both geographically and figuratively.

Since March, 2024, their mobile STEAM lab has been visiting Southern California schools, with an emphasis on providing resources and mentorship to underserved communities.

Their mission: to bridge the gap and empower students with creative problem-solving skills and spark their imagination, preparing them to be the innovators of the future workforce.

They're accomplishing these goals by involving the students in maker projects, which include basic woodworking, 3D printing, robotics and advanced design. School visits, after school programs and day camps are all among their services.

In addition, their curricula are not restricted to current K through 12 students.

Opportunities for all

"We reject the notion that learning is confined by age," says Think Tank Science's website.

Accordingly, they offer DIY courses to individuals of all ages--and all skill levels. (Check out their YouTube video on creating an LED lamp, one of their most popular projects, here.)

In addition, their services are not restricted by socioeconomic factors.

Christina says that the program is available for free to schools in underserved areas--and their biggest challenge is connecting with administrators to arrange a time when their lab can visit the school!

While Think Tank Science is a nonprofit, they also raise funds by offering paid services, including birthday parties and summer day camps. (Their 2025 summer day camp begins in July!) Here's the link if you'd like to know more about booking them for a special event.)

Christina talked about her own educational journey which led to her expertise in development and designing curriculum, how Think Tank Science's mobile lab began and where they'd like to expand in the future.