CLEVELAND — Good teachers stand out. They don’t just teach. They spark something in their students, helping them grow into not just smart, but better people.

On Wednesday, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, the George Gund Foundation, the Cleveland Foundation, and the Cleveland Teachers Union visited schools across the district. They surprised 10 teachers with the Excellence in Teaching Award.

The teachers were chosen after a nomination, endorsement, and review process.

I tagged along to Luis Muñoz Marín School in the city’s Tremont neighborhood as leaders surprised kindergarten teacher Ms. Melody Martinez.

It was an unforgettable way to start the day as district officials and others from the partner organizations entered Martinez’s classroom with balloons and announced she wa

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