Joe Dombrowski

An educator giving a spelling test with imaginary words may not seem like the most traditional method of promoting learning, but then again, there isn’t much that can be considered conventional in Joe Dombrowski’s – or as many know him, Mr. D – classroom.

While Dombrowski had been routinely posting creative, innovative and most importantly, fun ideas to his social media channels he executed in his fourth grade classroom since he began his teaching career, it was one in particular that captured the hearts of 20 million people: the April Fool’s Prank seen around the world.

The video he shared connecting to his students through a lighthearted fake quiz with hilariously inventive words (complete with silent letters) left an impact on so many due to the obvious investment of the students, the sheer creativity, humor, and of course, the clear passion of Dombrowski for what he does. In a matter of days the viral video made its way to Good Morning America, had its own “Twitter Moment” and finally, to The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

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