Matthew McConaughey and mom Kay.Photo:Michael Buckner/Getty
Michael Buckner/Getty
Matthew McConaugheydidn’t have to look far when asked about his favorite teacher.
“What I loved about my mom’s teaching was you always started with a book,” McConaughey says ofhis mother Kay, who taught him in kindergarten and as a substitute in high school. “You always started with the history of what you were studying, the mathematics of it. You had to open the book, you had to learn the skill, learn the history of whatever it is you were studying.”
Matthew McConaughey and mom.Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic
TheTrue Detectivestar says that his mother, who taught students for 39 years, had a gift for showing her pupils how they could apply what they learned from books and the classroom to their own lives.
As an example, he recalls one time when he and his classmates were studying trains.
His mother’s educational approach inspired McConaughey later in lifeto teach at his alma mater, the University of Texas at Austin, beginning in 2015.
“I think it’s deeply valuable for children to get as much experiential learning as they can,” he says in the clip. “I think it’s a wonderful challenge for all teachers to give to all students: How does what we’re learning in the classroom, how is what we’re teaching in the classroom — how can they [students] take that into their own life outside of the classroom with their friends, with themselves?”
“That’s what I got from my mom,” he remarks at the end of the video. “Thanks, Mom.”
Matthew McConaughey.Nick Ferroni
Nick Ferroni
Ferroni tells PEOPLE that he decide to start the campaign after meeting many “amazing educators who give their hearts, souls and money to their students on a daily basis, and who expect very little in return.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“I have heard so many stories of teachers going above and beyond for their students that are both inspiring and infuriating,” he says. “That is why I have dedicated my platform to bringing awareness to thestruggles and obstacles that educators face, and what needs to change in order to ensure that our youth have the educators they need.”
Nick Ferroni.Nick Ferroni
“‘My Favorite Teacher’ is an initiative where I ask some very famous people about their favorite teachers, and these stories will make you smile, and even cry,” he adds. “I wanted to show that behind most successful people, even celebrities and athletes, you will often find a teacher who believed in them when they needed it the most.”
“I hope this campaign will not only remind everyone of the amazing educators in their lives and to share their own favorite teacher’s story,” says Ferroni, “but to also encourage them to fight to support, resource and pay the very people who have dedicated their lives to the success and happiness of other people’s children.”
source: people.com
