The authors discuss the sequential nature of becoming a teacher of the highest caliber, an "inspirational" teacher, by creating a personal mission statement, classroom mission statement, modeling, respecting listening and building relationships. The first level of inspirational teaching is the creation of a personal mission statement. Great teachers, the authors advocate, teach as a result of their own design: they have not defaulted into becoming a teacher, they have chosen this profession. Just as successful people live a life of purpose, classrooms are designed on purpose as well. The highest level of the inspirational teacher pyramid is relationship building. High-trust relationships do not occur by chance, they are a result of the purposeful efforts of the teacher to model principles, demonstrate respect and genuine listening skills. As a result of following the inspirational teacher process, the probability of high-trust relationship building is increased. And it is through these high-trust relationships that students, even the most challenging, can be inspired to make the right choices in the classroom and in life.