NORTH SALT LAKE—Foxboro third grade teacher Cole Wilkes might just be America’s Favorite Teacher – at least he hopes to be. Wilkes has been nominated for the Reader’s Digest contest that recognizes outstanding teachers in the country. 

“It’s flattering,” said Wilkes. “It’s determined by votes, usually from people who had you as a teacher.”

As of Tuesday, Wilkes was standing at number one. Voting for the top 10 closed on Thursday after press time.

“I love to teach,” he said. “I want to share my love of reading and history, etc. with others, not just my students.”

During COVID Wilkes didn’t want his students to stop learning. “I went online with YouTube so that they would stay engaged.”

Wilkes has developed a series of YouTube videos with teaching tips. “It’s a growth mindset that I share in class, with other schools and states, even other countries. I have 11,000 subscribers.”

Each spring, Wilkes has his students create their own books centered around an actual book the class is reading. He holds a Red Carpet event where the kids show their parents and other Foxboro students their work, complete with popcorn and drinks. This year, Wilkes is having his class create a video to show at the event on May 3.

The grand prize for the Reader’s Digest contest is $25,000, a trip to Hawaii and a story in the Reader’s Digest. “If I won $25,000, I'd invest in expanding my YouTube learning videos, enhancing content quality, and reaching a wider audience,” said Wilkes in his nomination application. “Additionally, I'd allocate some funds to pay off bills, ensuring financial stability while pursuing my passion for education through online platforms.”

Wilkes said one parent came to him and said her son used to cry when he went to school. “She said he fell in love with reading after he had me as a teacher. My favorite part of teaching is witnessing students discover a genuine passion for learning. It’s incredibly rewarding to see their curiosity ignite and their confidence grow as they delve into new topics and ideas. Helping them find joy in learning is what makes being a teacher so fulfilling.”

To vote for Wilkes go to https://americasfavteacher.org/2024/cole-wilkes. Watch his videos at www.youtube.com/@ColeWilkes.

“I tell my students, ‘focus on something you love,’” said Wilkes. “You’ll learn it if you find something you love.”