From the firing of the staff at a Rhode Island high school to the dismissal of more than 200 teachers in Washington, D.C., to the value-added teacher data released by The Los Angeles Times, it seems like a lot of the new from the education beat has focused on bad or ineffective teachers.
But, what about the good ones? The ones who changed our trajectories for the better or brought some arcane subject to life? Finally someone thought to send teachers some warm and fuzzies.
The folks at the aptly named Mudpies and Butterflies started a campaign this fall that's all about thanking teachers for all they do for us. Mudpies and Butterflies is a social network that connects parents and school administrators, allowing for the building of a strong community around a school.
In addition to the inspiring and very calming animation (below), marketing firm Column Five Media designed an accompanying infographic that details just how important teachers are to our children's lives and society in general.
Click here to view the full infographic.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_pGiUeVFEU
Photo via Column Five Media

















Robert Redford advocating against the demolition of Santa Monica Pier while filming "The Sting" 1973


Image artifacts (diffraction spikes and vertical streaks) appearing in a CCD image of a major solar flare due to the excess incident radiation

Ladder leads out of darkness.Photo credit
Woman's reflection in shadow.Photo credit
Young woman frazzled.Photo credit 
A woman looks out on the waterCanva
A couple sits in uncomfortable silenceCanva
Gif of woman saying "I won't be bound to any man." via
Woman working late at nightCanva
Gif of woman saying "Happy. Independent. Feminine." via