2018 National Teacher of the Year.
JONES: Now, we all remember at least one awesome teacher. Maybe she stayed late and helped you with your math or maybe went to his pocket, got some money for you, and got you some classroom supplies you need. But let me tell you how amazing our next guest is. She is a teacher who learned sign language just so she can help to teach two of her students. These kids were born deaf. They're from Syria. They had no language at all. Now because of her, they're both preparing to go to college. That teacher, Mandy Manning, was just awarded the 2018 Teacher of the Year Award, and she joins us now. Welcome to THE VAN JONES SHOW.</s>JONES: Man. You've gone above and beyond above and beyond for kid after kid after kid. You took some kids who only had a fourth grade education from overseas and you got them college ready in four years. Why do you go that far for kids? They're not your kids. You don't know these kids. They're not from America. Why are you doing it?</s>MANDY MANNING, ENGLISH TEACHER, JOEL E. FERRIS HIGH SCHOOL: They are my kids. I love them. Because there's potential in every single classroom I've ever worked in. And I haven't always taught immigrant and refugee students. I've taught them for the last seven years, 19 years, though, in regular classrooms. And so whenever I look at a kid, I see immense potential.</s>JONES: Yeah.</s>MANNING: And it's my privilege to get to help them achieve that potential.</s>JONES: Well, you got invited to the White House because of your great work, and you brought a stack of letters from these refugee children to President Trump. I'm sure he was surprised. So what happened?</s>MANNING: I had a photograph with the president and my family, and I took advantage of that opportunity and I presented him with the letters. And I just asked him. I said, these are letters from my students and a few community members from Spokane. And they -- it's really important to them that you read them. And he did -- like he took them so graciously and he thanked me and he said he looked forward to it and had them put on his desk.</s>JONES: What do you think President Trump can learn from these children, these young people?</s>MANNING: That they are thankful that they are here. Very thankful. Every single letter said thank you. That they have dreams and hopes to be productive members of our society, our community here in the United States and that coming to the United States represented hope. And that they could achieve their dreams because so many of them went through tremendous trauma in order to get here.</s>JONES: Why do you have all these pins on? You have pins talking about trans equality, you have women's march pin. Why did you wear those pins to the White House?</s>MANNING: So I just have to mention that the women's march pin, I didn't make that connection. Yes, it's a women's march pin. But for me, this is the dreamers. This represents my immigrant students. I wore all these pins because I teach all students and this was my message to my students, that I 2was there representing them and ready to tell their stories.</s>JONES: Beautiful. The White House pool was banned from your speech, which is shocking to a lot of people. I want you to have a chance to read your speech, at least part of it, on "The Van Jones Show." Would that be all right with everybody?</s>JONES: Do you have it? Whip it out. It is unbelievable that they were so concerned about what you had to say. But we're not concerned, we're inspired by it. What did you have to say?</s>MANNING: So where should I look? At you still?</s>JONES: You can read away. You don't have to look at me.</s>MANNING: Over the next year, I will be sharing my students' stories and profound insights into our country throughout the nation. Like Sultan (ph), a refugee from Syria, who escaped war in his country and understands the importance of the United States to be peacemakers. I am here for refugee and immigrant students, for the kids in the gay/straight alliance, and for all the girls I've coached over the years, to send them the message that they are wanted, they are loved, they are enough, and they matter. Go out today, seek an experience you have never had before. Get uncomfortable. Challenge your own perceptions to find clarity. Be fearless. Be kind. Meet someone new.</s>JONES: That's beautiful. Wonderful, wonderful.</s>JONES: I so thankful that you were able to be here. I really, really am. Keep up the great work. You know, something else I'm thankful for is my hometown of Jackson, Tennessee where both of my parents were school teachers. And I got to go home last weekend. I got to speak at the same church I attended as a child. I gave a commencement address at Lane College, the small historically black school where my grandfather was once president. And I got the key to the city. And, you know, the whole thing just reminded me that some of the biggest hearts in the world beat in some of the smallest towns in America. There's no place like home. Thank you all. I'm Van Jones. This is THE VAN JONES SHOW. Peace and love for one another.