Editor's Note: As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child. These stories shed light on the unsung teachers embedded in our environments and communities -- from school janitors to thriving farm ecosystem to goats in a senior center. :) --Daniela

A former college admissions director recalls the most memorable and unique recommendation letter she received -- from the school custodian.

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"Visiting the farm can make concepts that seem quite abstract come alive and become much more tangible to a student grappling with them." Stanford Earth takes class outside, to hands-on farm fieldwork.

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When Tim Brannon couldn't find a quality senior home for his father, he opened his own... and added an alternative high school, preschool, and farm animals to the mix.

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Be The Change Idea

Acknowledge an unsung teacher in your daily surroundings. In honor of Earth Week, strengthen your connection to nature's teachers with a 21-day Eco-Footprint Challenge. [more]