Stephen Curry Sees His Former Teacher Living On The Street — His Attitude Will Make You Cry

In a world where sports stars often make headlines for their on-court achievements, NBA superstar Steph Curry is now being celebrated for something even more meaningful: giving back to the teacher who helped shape his life and, in the process, igniting a national conversation about the plight of retired educators.

A Teacher’s Struggle

Mrs. Eleanor Jenkins, a retired math teacher, faced the harsh reality of living on a fixed income as her expenses grew. The 2008 financial crisis had already devastated her retirement savings. After selling her house to pay off medical debts, she moved to a small apartment in Charlotte’s East Zone. But disaster struck again when a flood destroyed almost all her belongings—except for a cherished pile of books.

When asked why she didn’t reach out to former colleagues or students, Mrs. Jenkins replied, “People are kind for a week, maybe a month. Then you start to feel like you’re in the way.” She continued to tutor neighborhood kids in the park, refusing to see herself as a charity case: “I’m an educator, not a charity case.”

A Student’s Gratitude

Steph Curry, recalling how Mrs. Jenkins had once transformed his relationship with numbers and inspired him to see his own potential, insisted on helping her. “You taught me more than math. You taught me I could be more than just an athlete,” he said. Though Mrs. Jenkins hesitated, not wanting to be a burden, she finally agreed—not for herself, but to send a message to other educators that their work matters.

Steph provided her with temporary housing and, with the help of his foundation, worked tirelessly to find a permanent solution. He also helped address irregularities in her medical debt and guided her toward sustainable support.

From Humble Help to National Movement

A photo of Steph talking with Mrs. Jenkins in a café went viral, and soon the story of “Steph Curry’s homeless teacher” swept across social media. Though initially reluctant, Mrs. Jenkins agreed to a joint interview on Good Morning America, where she spoke about the larger crisis facing retired teachers.

“I dedicated my life to educating children,” she said. “Like me, thousands of retired teachers face financial insecurity after decades of service. A country that doesn’t value those who educate its children is not investing in its own future.”

Her words struck a chord nationwide. The hashtag #TeachersChangeLives trended for weeks. Former students searched for their own teachers, and tech companies and universities established new support programs for retired educators.

A Lasting Legacy

With Mrs. Jenkins as principal consultant, Steph’s foundation launched a program connecting math and sports in public schools, expanding to 50 schools in its first year. Videos of Mrs. Jenkins teaching math through basketball went viral, inspiring a new generation of students and educators.

A year later, Steph announced the creation of the Eleanor Jenkins Scholarship, a $2 million fund supporting the training of future math and science teachers dedicated to innovative teaching methods.

At the scholarship launch, Mrs. Jenkins said, “I never taught expecting rewards or recognition. I taught because I believed every young person deserves someone who sees their unique potential.”

Full Circle

Two years later, Mrs. Jenkins, now healthy and full of purpose, was seen teaching aspiring educators, her eyes reflecting hope and accomplishment. Steph, watching quietly from the doorway, realized that of all the trophies he had won, seeing his former teacher restored in dignity and purpose was his greatest victory.