Missing Pieces: 52 Vital Lessons Kids Should Be Learning at School (But Aren’t) was based on my ideas of what kids most need to learn. But I’m curious about what others think we need to learn and teach.

So I created the My Vital Lesson project. It started with me driving around the country asking top teachers what their most vital lessons are. Now that I’m home, the project goes on. I continue to seek inspiring and talented teachers. I share what I learn on the My Vital Lesson YouTube channel — and here.

Additionally, I sprinkle in my newest vital lessons. Because as long as I’m alive, I won’t stop being curious. I won’t stop learning. I won’t stop trying to teach.

If we immerse ourselves into a pool filled with of crap, we’ll emerge feeling awful.

But if we immerse ourselves into a pristine pool of water, we’ll emerge feeling refreshed.

The same is true with what we choose to immerse ourselves in with regard to what we read, watch, and listen to. If we read, watch, and listen to metaphorical crap, we’ll emerge from the experience feeling awful.

But if we read, watch, and listen to metaphorical pristine pools of water we’ll emerge feeling refreshed.

The mission of jaimerichards.org is to immerse site visitors into pools of the best ideas, passages, and lyrics so they emerge feeling better about life.

Know an especially great teacher from whom we all can learn? Let me know, please. I love meeting sages and asking them to please share their wisdom with the world.