Equipped with flashcards, books, stickers and treats, Dorothy E. Conway instilled a love of reading in her pupils for more than 40 years. (Today)

John Coulter "Jack" Beers was always an entertainer. (Yesterday)

Karl Malden, an Academy Award-winning actor who excelled in plainspoken, working-class roles, including the awkward Mitch in "A Streetcar Named Desire" and a brave priest in "On the Waterfront," died yesterday at his home in Los Angeles. No cause of death was immediately disclosed. He was 97. (07/02/2009)

Deborah Mendoza had a passion for Shakespeare that was so infectious, she could make children want to perform his classic, sometimes daunting plays. (07/02/2009)

Growing up, Mary Ravita, her sisters and cousins spent summer days playing school at their grandmother's North Hills home. There was never any question about who was the teacher. (07/01/2009)