Tasked with engaging both reluctant and accelerated learners, Dan Waidelich’s warm demeanor and focus on inclusivity and community ensure that his classroom always runs smoothly and that students feel safe to engage actively with literacy topics. Whether he is teaching “Romeo and Juliet” or providing guidance on annotating nonfiction, Dan helps students make connections between their lessons and their world, such as researching urban legends, collaborating with art classes to illustrate tanka poetry and podcasting various genres of literature. Each unit is carefully designed and grounded in critical and creative thinking.