Bridget Shannon is a fourth grader at St. Raphael Catholic School in Naperville, where she’s been with the same class of children since kindergarten. Bridget's thankful for her homeroom teacher, Mrs. Bartelt, “because she pushes me to learn.”

Lady Bird Johnson once said, “Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them.” During National Teacher Appreciation Week, we’re especially thankful for all the teachers who believe in and nurture the great potential inside every child.  

Here’s more of Sam’s interview with Bridget:

Favorite activities? “I like art and music at school. I also like sports—track and basketball. Basketball is my favorite, because I play on a team and we won our game, and I scored.”

Favorite place to be and why? “Forever Yogurt, and at any park. I play tag, swing, slide, climb, jump, and always make friends.”

Proudest moment? “Making my first communion. I took classes and learned to pray, and I loved playing on the swings in my big white dress.”

Someone you admire? “Katy Dumais, because she actually plays with me. She plays school with me, and sings karaoke, and dances, and shoots hoops. Our families go out to dinner together sometimes, too.”

Goals for the future? “I want to learn to drive a car, and I want to be a waitress someday at Traverso’s (an Italian restaurant).”

If you could change anything about the world, what would it be? “I would get to see everyone. Everyone would live close by, and no one would move away.”