John Rajeski spent years helping to snag laughs as a writer for Frasier and other sitcoms. Now, he now inspires a love of writing in his students.
ATLANTA - Students at KIPP Strive Academy interested in writing for a TV show -- don't have to look far for inspiration.
During its run on NBC, Frasier always snagged big laughs thanks to the show's outstanding writers, which included John Rajeski, who has traded his Los Angeles zip code, for one in Atlanta.
John Rajeski is now infusing his love of storytelling into middle school students at KIPP Strive Academy, a charter school.
Why the dramatic change?
"Honestly I felt like I had my dream," said Rajeski. "My mom's a teacher and I knew I wanted to do something that would give back.
He looked into the Peace Corps, but then decided on something similar: Teach for America, he taught first in Harlem before moving to Atlanta.
"The thing I really want to give them is this confidence to really express themselves and find their voice," he said.
They're finding their voice with assignments such as writing a book, called "Don't forget That Day", a collection of essays about their families they created through collaboration with the Wren's Nest Project
At a book release party during last year's Decatur Book festival, they basked in the spotlight of their accomplishment.
Thanks to Rajeski, they now think of themselves as authors and enjoy the writing process.
He helps me show more expression in my stories and more feeling," said Zekylia Burton, 7th grade.
It's why he's an 11Alive Class Act winner.