On this encore edition of The 21st: We learned about what's driving the teacher shortage in the U.S. and talked with former Illinois teachers about the challenges they faced in the classroom. Plus, we talked with the Highland Park natives behind the PBS animated series "Nature Cat."

On the 21st: A new report finds that many low-income students in Illinois lag behind their wealthier peers. Plus, we discussed how winter weather effects children in the classroom and talked about Dial-a-Carol, a holiday program run by student volunteers.

NPR's Education team wants to know about your favorite teacher and how that person made a difference in your life. To get the conversation started, their own reporters and editors have shared stories of the teachers who most affected them. 

Congress is discussing ending annual testing requirements. What would schools do without them?