Favorite teachers from your school days

T

TennVet

Member
There are a few teachers that hold a special place of respect for me. I went to so many different schools that as the perennial new boy in class I had to see what a teacher was like for quite a while before I was willing to interact. I saw many types, from classroom tyrants, to the most dedicated. In Algebra class at Paseo High School Mr. Rich took control of a class where four other teachers had failed. Short in stature and blessed with an innate ability to reach the most obstinate or rebellious teenager, by the end of the year he had turned 31 potential delinquents into students. I'm sure I'm not the only one remembering him with true respect.
 

We've had this topic before on here.. and always I will say that my favourite teacher was my English teacher, she was American from One of the Carolinas.. can't remember which one. She had a real drawl of an accent.. and I have 3 syllables in my name... and she would say it like it was 20 letters long.... I'm sure you 'muricans who know that accent can imagine.

She was my best teacher out of all the teachers, really took the time to make sure we understood the subject.. rather than our other teachers who , if you didn't understand the first time.. they were going to just concentrate on those who did...
 
I thought Mrs. P was nice. She had such a sweet demeanor and was soft spoken. She used to give open book tests. But my most favorite teacher was my English teacher, Mrs. S. I remember once she loaned me money. I probably had forgotten to bring my lunch. Another time we sat together during assembly when they were showing a heart surgery in graphic detail. Grossed out, we sat there squirming, ew-ing and holding on to each other. I loved that woman.

My other favorite was my history teacher Mr. S. I did not like him at all when he first entered the classroom because he looked mean. I remember we had a debate about something, each of us insisting we were right. In the end, he admitted in front of the class that I had been right. He was what I would describe as a gentle giant. May they each Rest in Paradise.
 
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My favorite teacher in college was a gentleman by the name of Knocky Parker. He taught evening Film courses and everyone wanted to get into his class because it was lots of fun. He was actually an accomplished jazz pianist and played the piano when he showed silent films. I remember learning about serious films like The Magnificent Ambersons and really enjoying it. He passed away in 1986. RIP Knocky.

Publisher​

USF Magazine

Creation Date​

1985

Abstract​

John "Knocky" Parker was a professor of English at USF who was also a musician. When he showed silent films in his classes, he provided musical accompaniment on the piano.

Knocky.jpeg
 
OneEyedDiva said:
I thought Mrs. P was nice. She had such a sweet demeanor and gentle speech. She used to give open book tests. But my favorite teachers were my English teacher, Mrs. S. I remember once she loaned me money. I forgot why I needed it...for lunch probably. Another time we sat together during assembly when they were showing a heart surgery. Grossed out, we sat there squirming, ew-ing and holding on to each other. I loved that woman.
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sadly today, teachers would be arrested for less... they daren't even console a child who has fallen over for fear of reprisals
 
I think I have mentioned her before but my favorite was my second grade teacher, Mrs. Van Arsdale. That was the first year of the Phoenix Suns and her husband was the star of the Suns so she was very popular, and very cute. My mom always joked that she never saw my dad so excited to to go Teacher Parent night.

My third grade teacher was Mrs. Jolly (really) and I remember her fondly also. I had some medical issues that year and had to go to the hospital a couple of times for operations. She spent a lot of time helping me catch up on all of the work I had missed. I found out at the end of the school year that the family was moving to DC area and she knew I was upset about that so when my family moved she sent me a few letters during that next school year. We moved back here in my 5th grade year and she gave me a huge hug when she saw me back on the first day back.
 
The one I remember was my math teacher in my 12th grad of HS. She was so good that even though most teachers retired by age 65, she was allowed to teach as long as she wanted, and was in her early 70's. By the end of the 11th grade, I had taken all the normal math courses...algebra, trig, and calculus, etc. She would go to the University of Colorado in the afternoon to attend a theoretical math course called "Co-ordinated Algebra/Trigonometry", then come back the next day to try to teach that to us. There were about 15 of us in that class, and it was a real challenge to take that college course. I really never had any need to use all that math, but it sure made me think.
 
hollydolly said:
We've had this topic before on here.. and always I will say that my favourite teacher was my English teacher, she was American from One of the Carolinas.. can't remember which one. She had a real drawl of an accent.. and I have 3 syllables in my name... and she would say it like it was 20 letters long.... I'm sure you 'muricans who know that accent can imagine.

She was my best teacher out of all the teachers, really took the time to make sure we understood the subject.. rather than our other teachers who , if you didn't understand the first time.. they were going to just concentrate on those who did...
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Holly, do you know why she was teaching in the UK? Had she moved there due to marriage or was she single and on a adventure teaching in another country?
 
I had a hard time in school and was even put in classes for slow learners which I am not. I'm plain average.

I did have one history teacher who had travelled extensively and he had interesting tales. Including taking a picture of some Muslim women without asking and getting chased by a man with a knife.

This is not a lie: He had a mummy head smuggled out of Egypt he brought to school which was kept in a bread box in the closet he said. Stated was at a dig and took it.

Also the horticulture teacher was very nice.
 
RadishRose said:
I think one, second grade.

I didn't like them, harsh or not. Power tripping, ego maniacs; children hating misfits. The men were even worse.
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Say it like you feel. Back in the day we couldn't say anything. Now we can.

I was bullied by one PE teacher about my weight in front of other students. I went into the school deep pool once and was by the side only and she literally screamed at me to get out, I wasn't allowed in the deep pool. A few years after high school I saw the POS at a fruit stand and almost lost my mind. I hope she's dead.
 
Remy said:
Say it like you feel. Back in the day we couldn't say anything. Now we can.

I was bullied by one PE teacher about my weight in front of other students. I went into the school deep pool once and was by the side only and she literally screamed at me to get out, I wasn't allowed in the deep pool. A few years after high school I saw the POS at a fruit stand and almost lost my mind. I hope she's dead.
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Don't blame you one bit, Remy. I hope she's dead too. And thanks for your support. 🌹
 
Remy said:
Holly, do you know why she was teaching in the UK? Had she moved there due to marriage or was she single and on a adventure teaching in another country?
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No idea whatsoever.. She was married.. well she was called Mrs C.... that's all I know. She never said why she was in Scotland.. and we kids were always taught not to ask adults questions... that said there are a lot of Americans in Scotland working on the oil rigs, so maybe she had a husband working there.... looking back she was probably in her mid to late 30's.. when I was between 13 and 15..so if she was still alive today she's be 90 or more.. Hard to imagine her being that age...:D
 
Mrs. Taylor in 5th grade in North Palm Beach Elementary School in Florida was a favorite. But she left for maternity leave. In Rochester, New York, I went to integrated schools and loved it. In Florida, I went to segregated schools and hated it. The integrated schools better prepared you for later in life.

Mrs. Taggart in 3rd grade in Rochester was probably the best. She was in her late 50's. When you were in in her class, she treated you if you were her own child. She knew what was going on in the outside world, so in her class, she treated all of her children with kindness and respect, regardless of color. Only grade where I never missed a day of school.
 
I went to Lane Tech (Chicago) from 58-62. The teachers were generally pretty good, but there were a few that should have been put to pasture early on. For trigonometry, I had a very old woman, who reminded of the old women portrayed in the movies of the '30s. She wasn't mean, but didn't really teach - letting the text book do it all. I didn't learn a thing (yes, that is certainly partly my fault), and had to cheat to barely pass.

A number of years ago I bought a basic trig book, determined to learn what I missed. I did get to finally understand the basics, and that really felt good.
 
I've had some teachers who I'll always remember with gratitude. For instance the one (male) who sparked my interest in classical music, the old one (male), although very strict, who did this with history. One day I'd learned much about the Ancient Romans, since I guessed that he would ask me during the next lesson. Unfortunately another student was asked :(.

Then one math teacher (male), who did always value me as a person, although I was not very interested in mathematics. My very friendly teacher in chemistry and biology. He once asked "How do look the shoulder blades of an ape?" Since nobody answered he said: "Then look at me!".

Or the old Latin teacher with four or five own kids, who once told my mother that I am "criminally well-behaved". He did a lot for me and I like him the most. To mention English: I started to learn English in the 5th Grade at age 10. The first pop quiz was a fiasco, since I got from the teacher (male) a grade 5, the second worst in 1 to 6. But my knowledge of English seems to have improved since then :). If you ask of my experiences with female teachers, I must tell you that I can't remember anything special.
 
My English teacher, Mr. Filbey. He died 9 years ago this October. Mr. Filbey not only taught me English, but also taught me about some parts of life. He lost his left leg during WWII and walked with a limp while wearing a prosthetic. The kids called him "Peg Leg." It used to really upset me, but I couldn't take on the whole school. My dad told me to just be respectful to him and remind him from time to time that I appreciate him. The kids I hung with didn't call him any names because they knew I respected him.
 
One of the teachers that had the most influence on me was my fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Shingolholtz(sp?).

She taught me manners, which I was certainly lacking. Things like not interrupting, no hats inside, saying excuse me, please, thank you, you're welcome, etc. Violation of good manners resulted in instant ear twisting or neck pinches, she was tough but fair.

Good manners may seem like a small thing but it helped teach me self control and spatial awareness. I truly believe her lessons helped keep me on the right side of life.
 
I never missed 2nd grade. I was in love with "her". :) Then Mr. Rudolph started tutoring me in 4th grade and within a year I went to another school for gifted kids. I liked him, but I hated the extended learning school.
 

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