I just got home and heard the awful tragic news that everybody is talking about.

[Teacher of the Year]

40. He made exercise videos for kids in wheelchairs and used kids/actors with profound physical disabilities.

It was so amazing to see a video that my students could relate too. The message was so awesome--firstly that message of 'I see you," and then his acknowledgement that kind of said-(and I'm basically paraphrasing the entire gist of the show here-certainly not quoting him) but basically; ''I know not all of your parts work, but we're gonna have fun working the parts that do and I'll show you how to enjoy that."

Then he lead the kids on a really awesome exercise routine and you could see how much he cared about the kids in the video and, by making the video, he showed he cared about my students too.

He was a good person. I had told myself I should send him a note and thank him and I never did (despite thinking, "I should send him a note," EVERY time I saw him in the media for the last 15 years or so). Another reminder not to put things off too many times.

RIP Richard Simmons. I know your thing was exercise but you were a prime example of how to stand up to bullies and be yourself.