The end of the school year has arrived, but everyone knows teachers take no time off. While educators everywhere gear up for a small breather in the form of summer break, we’re anticipating what viral, educational classroom moments Black teachers will plan for the next school year.

According to NPR, a 2017 study by the Institute of Labor Economics revealed that “having just one black teacher in third, fourth or fifth grade reduced low-income black boys' probability of dropping out of high school by 39 percent.” Considering this insight, it’s not hard to see why we get excited by quality Black educators, whose love for teaching is evidenced by how much they invest in their student’s positive development. Between the decline in the number of Black teachers and the increase in low-retention rates of Black teachers in the U.S., it’s clear just how important it is to show love to Black teachers. Therefore, we want to revisit and celebrate Black teachers who have made a difference in their students’ lives just in time for summer break. Here are five epic internet moments that show the value of Black teachers in the school system and why having that representation in the classroom matters.

1. When Ms. Bishop Borrowed Her Student’s Style

We need more of this. Building confidence and reinforcing the natural beauty of our little girls.— cнrιѕтιne нerrera (@Kishez) February 6, 2018

Ms. Bishop-Gatson was sure to give thanks while being sure to let everyone know, it's all about the kids.

Wow!!! Thank you so much sharing???????? this is just me simply living my purpose….teaching children (and all people) to feel whole & loved!! Thank you again for sharing????— Mrs. Leigha Bishop-Gatson M.Ed. (@LeighaBishop) February 6, 2018

2. When Mr. Jones Gave His Confidence-Boosting Taper

YouTube | 13WMAZ

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Outside of being a mentor, counselor, parental figure, or therapist; teachers also go above and beyond to be barbers! Shout out to Mr. Jones! ????: @major_move • • • #educationisdope #teachersofinstagram #teachersofinsta #blackteachers #blackteachersmatter #education #blackeducators #school #students #kids #elementaryteacher #highschoolteacher #middleschoolteacher #schools #youth

A post shared by Educate ME Foundation INC. (@educatemefoundation) on May 4, 2019 at 10:16am PDT

3. When Teachers Decorated Their Doors For The Culture

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My husband, Ed McDaniel, decorated his classroom door for Black History Month. #blackhistorymonth #blackhistorymonthdoor

A post shared by Johanna McDaniel (@johannamcdaniel) on Feb 4, 2019 at 7:59am PST

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Tis the season! Do me a favor and push SHARE! It’s black history month and it’s like a holiday over here at Lake Alfred Elementary. Here is this years door and if you scroll you’ll see last years. Shout out to my #Artclub babies for twisting this paper into dreads (The real mvps). She’s got her gold clips,yarn wrapped around her dreads and baby hairs and she’s ready to go. We are excited to share our projects with you guys. #TAkaChanique #TAka #ArtTeacher #Artist #ElementaryArt #BlackEducator #BlackArtTeacher #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackHistoryMonthDoor #DoItForTheCulture #WakandaForever #naturalhair #Dreads #Locs @happyhairgirls #africa #Africanprint @africanprint @becauseofthem @blackeducators @theshaderoom @mediablackoutusa @afropolitainmagazine @africanprintsinfashion @willsmith #bhm #bhmd

A post shared by Chanique Davis (@takachanique) on Feb 1, 2019 at 5:11am PST

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I’ve always dreamed of becoming an NFL superstar and when this guy right here decided to fight for love and equality…He changed my perspective on what being a big time play maker actually meant. Make the game winning move in the game of life! @crunchylifebooks #blackhistorymonth #colinkaepernick #istandwithkap #teacher #author #educator #blackmaleteacher #nike @teamcolinkaepernick #takeaknee @nike @usnikefootball @kaepernick7 @nessnitty ???????????????? @tylerperry @angelarye #angelaygb

A post shared by Glen Mourning (@mourningknows) on Jan 30, 2019 at 4:09pm PST

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We had to decorate our classroom doors for Black History. Here's my Black Girl Magic themed door!! #BlackHistoryMonth #ClassroomDoor #BlackGirlMagic #InfluentialBlackWomen #MichelleObama #AngelaDavis #MistyCopeland #MadameCJWalker #JosephineBaker #PatriciaBath #RosaParks #MaryMcLeoudBethune #OprahWinfrey #MayaAngelou #WangariMaathai #HarrietTubman #MyBlackIsBeautiful #BlackGirlsRock #TeachersOfInstagram #ITeach #KindergartenTeacher #LoveIt

A post shared by **Tiffayna** (@on_my_own_tip) on Jan 31, 2019 at 9:32am PST

Look how one of my co-workers decorated her door for Black History Month! @MsJonesSCE #lisdlib #scestallions #stewartscreekes #lisdculture pic.twitter.com/A6yk1LFu2g— Sonya Ford (@Ford_sdford) February 1, 2019

Just look at how this teacher reimagined her classroom door in celebration of Black History Month! ❤️???????? pic.twitter.com/zBLZozo4zz— Kyra's Shea Medleys Hair & Skincare (@KyraSheaMedleys) January 30, 2019

@MmeCArt check out THIS door decorating idea for Black History Month! #WEAREMILLER pic.twitter.com/mUlPef7sBo— Jocelyn Vernon Baker (@mme_vb) January 31, 2019

4. When Mr. White Gave His Swaggy Handshakes

YouTube | Good Morning America

5. When Teachers Made Educational Hip-Hop Remixes

Ms. Merlette's class "got the answers in the back."

i’m cheesing hard as hell watching this. this beautiful lol https://t.co/em0RUX5cqX— nope (@LilNasX) May 2, 2019

Ms. Underwood’s class in Chicago goes all out “for the grade.”

YouTube | MediaDrumPlusTV

Mrs. Crim’s algebra version of “Bodak Yellow.”

YouTube | Cassie Crim

We can't wait to see what the next generation of teachers come up with!

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