It is a great blessing to wake up and want to go to work. It is even a greater blessing when you have a job that utilizes your God given talents daily. Jerry Toups Jr. began his teaching career in the fall of 1990, when he inked his first classroom rule as "Always Believe in Yourself". Little did he know that this rule would turn into his life mission. "The Story of Always Believe" uses the auto-biography of Jerry Toups Jr as inspiration for the readers to find their "it" in life. It shows that God forges and molds us during our tribulations, and if you continually keep choosing right over wrong the results of your tribulations will be essential to guiding you to your "purpose."

For teachers, this book shows that the joy you receive when you become part of a child's happiest memory is truly worth more than any monetary paycheck. It also demonstrates that blessings abound when you make your life about others, but when you make your life about the kids in your community, your impact will turn into a legacy.

Although never physically teaching a lesson about how to "Always Believe in Yourself", Jerry Toups Jr has personally witnessed how this phrase, combined with a positive attitude and profound non-verbal communication skills, has changed lives for the better. To enable someone to believe they can be successful, just might be the single most important lesson a teacher can teach.