🏀 From the court to the classroom

Mikal Bridges always wanted to play professional basketball.

And while the Brooklyn Nets New York Knicks small forward may have achieved his childhood dream, there's always been another career path he's considered chasing: teaching second grade. 

Class is in session: Mikal's dream of becoming an elementary school teacher came true in March, when he stepped in as a substitute at Public School 134 in Brooklyn, New York.

• Teaching the young students math, English, and, of course, a basketball lesson in PE for the day, "Mr. Bridges" became a quick favorite among the kids.
• "A lot of days, [when] we're in school," the athlete told CBS News, "we're with our teachers and I think they just don't get enough credit. Because we're around them a lot, you know what I'm saying. And they help us become better people every day."

👀 Looking ahead... Mikal hopes to pursue a career as a teacher, or even school principal, after his time in the NBA.

+Note: This story first appeared in Positive DONUT, a weekly newsletter delivering awe (and awww) inspiring stories you won't hear in the news. Sign up for free here.