Today we celebrate Mr. Dewey’s Birthday.
Richard Dewey was the third-grade teacher of our Founder and President Stuart Ellis.

In his 37 years of teaching, Mr. Dewey was a mentor to many teachers and countless students, and a special mentor to Stuart. It was this outstanding educator’s legacy and commitment to teaching excellence that inspired our Dewey Awards –  an annual Grant that honors accomplished teachers, and rewards charter schools with three $1,000 gifts per year.“

Mr. Dewey fundamentally changed the way I thought about myself – and really made me believe I could accomplish anything in life” – said Stuart as he described the origins of the Dewey Awards at Charter School Capital.

Mr. Dewey’s extensive career included classroom experience with gifted students, contributions as a K-12 administrator, work in teacher mentorship and certification and in curriculum development, teaching at University level and working with teacher task groups. He was also a gifted musician who composed, arranged music and conducted choirs.

We join Richard’s loving wife of 53 years, his three sons and 11 grandchildren in remembering him with great fondness.“Every adult I talked to, they could think back and they could see that one inspirational teacher who really changed everything for them,” says Stuart. “He still inspires me.”

Did you have a teacher like that? Comment below with your favorite teacher and a note about how they impacted your life.