"Everyone has a calling," and Mr. Adair knows that his is teaching upper elementary at George Watts Montessori. For him, teaching is much more than a job-it's a way of carrying forward the light of inspiration he felt in his own 4th- and 5th-grade years, giving his students an even richer experience. Whether it's an animated morning discussion about atoms and energy or a collaborative circle spent wrestling with a tricky math problem, his passion radiates through every corner of the room. Each patient explanation and gentle encouragement tells his students, quietly but clearly, that they are capable of anything. Here, learning extends far beyond reading and arithmetic: students practice self-management, responsibility, and teamwork as they navigate their personalized work plans and take ownership of their own learning at such a young age. In the Montessori system, curiosity drives everything-whether that means leaping with excitement at a new discovery or trailing after Mr. Adair with endless questions even during recess. Through this video, I invite you to step into the tight-knit community of his classroom, where trust, friendship, and curiosity are given the space to grow and blossom.

This project would not exist without the generosity of Mr. Adair and his students, who welcomed me into their classroom and daily lives with openness, humor, and honesty. Their classroom reminded me that education is not a performance but a meaningful relationship-one built moment by moment, spark by spark. I am deeply grateful for the chance to witness and document their world, and to wholeheartedly feel the joy in learning that a truly passionate teacher can bring to the classroom. Thank you to all the wonderful educators around the world who dedicate their careers to help students grow, achieve their full potential, and become their true best selves. I hope this project opens up a new conversation to explore innovative education methods that fit the needs of the modern world, and inspires more young people to pursue a career in education, just like this experience did for me.