The Teacher/Professor That Most Inspired You

[iHeartMyGeek]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 1:40pm

There are a lot of teachers i've had since I started school that have been very inspirational and helpful to me in growing, not only academically but morally and ethically. I think everyone has at least one teacher or professor that was a mentor to them and helped them to grow and become someone that they wouldn't have been without their influence. So I'm wondering, who was that person for you and how did they help you?

[FranklinShepard-Inc.]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 5:57pm

Couldn't really say, it was one. Rather a number of people who subsequentally inspired me. So tough choice...

[DBillyP]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 7:52pm

Although I have had many, Mary Ann Dudzinksi, my English teacher my junior and senior years in high school is a true Renaissance person. She taught me the beauty of poetry and furthered my love of learning.

[Clayford27]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 12:29am

My high school choir conductor has been my biggest inspiration. He's shown me through music everything I want to be as a musician, as well as professionally and personally. He's inspired me to want to use music to make a difference in someone's life, the same way it has in mine. And for that, I owe him so much.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 12:34am

Dr. Robert Johnson.

10th Grade History teacher, 11th Grade AP History/English teacher, and coach.

I actually sent him a thank you letter a few years back just to let him know how much his faith and confidence meant to me.

I also sent him my graduation announcements from undergrad and law school.

An amazing teacher, with an amazing, classically trained voice. One week, during our AP US History Class, he actually sang to us some songs from the 1920's and 1930's. I still remember his voice and my amazement when this older, somewhat bulky man of 60 started to sing.

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 10:06am

My 6th Grade teacher, Mrs. Carttar.

She was what some people would call an "eccentric." She taught us the expected curriculum, but she also went "off book" many times throughout the school year. She had a reputation for her unconventional teaching methods, and that was either a good or a bad thing, depending on your (and your parents) beliefs.

A tiny little background history: This was Lawrence, Kansas. A university town, with a wide range of passionate liberals and staunch conservatives. It was 1974-75 when I was in sixth grade.

Mrs. Carttar asked our parents to sign an advance consent form that she would have three "special days" for her students that would be chosen at random by her with NO WARNING to the students. One was "Dictatorship Day." The other two were both called "Prejudice Day." If a parent didn't want their child to participate, their child would be dismissed from school that day, with no punishment or consequences. Everyone signed the forms, because everyone knew (by reputation) about these "special days."

For Dictatorship Day, we walked through the door and Mrs. Carttar announced "the day." We were then told how we were supposed to stand, walk, talk, sit and otherwise conduct ourselves throughout that day. Our feet had to be on the ground, together, directly under us all day. Our hands had to be folded, on the desk, unless we were asked to write something, all day. We weren't allowed to raise our hands and ask any questions all day. We weren't to speak, unless we were called upon. She decided on a whim that our recess was to be cancelled that day, and instead gave us a pop quiz in spelling. This may sound silly to you, but as the day wore on, it wasn't funny anymore. It gave us sixth-graders just a taste of what it meant to be under a dictatorship. Brilliant.

For "Prejudice Day," we walked into the classroom, and Mrs. Carttar announced the day, and proceeded to give half the class red ribbons to tie around their right arms. She sent them to the right side of the classroom. She told them they were the "privileged kids." She asked them to spread their desks out, and gave them 2/3's of the room's "real estate" to do so. The other group was the "non-privileged" kids. They were asked to scoot their desks closer together and keep quiet. During the day, the privileged kids were treated kindly, and given extra attention. Their recess lasted a full half-hour, while the "non" group was given only 5 minutes. The privileged group had spelling words like "cat," "dog" and "fun." While the "nons" were given extremely difficult words. We were told these grades WOULD count. The privileged group went to lunch first, and a good ten minutes before the "nons" were allowed to go. Again, by the end of the day, all of this began to add up, and it wasn't funny any more.

Later in the school year, the second Prejudice Day took place, and it reversed the groups, so we could all see "both sides."

She was a brilliant teacher. In addition to these "special days," she also taught us German... which wasn't part of any curriculum in grade school. We also celebrated Christmas in the classroom (which was common back then), but we also celebrated Hanukkah, and several other non-Christian holidays throughout the year.

She was ultimately called to task by our school's principal, and asked to stay within the guidelines. She resisted and was fired.

Three years later, she ran for the school board for the entire city, and was elected. Two years after that, she became the head of the school board for the entire school district.

Her son eventually became Vice Chancellor for Kansas University.

And this incredible lady is still alive... she's in her 80s now... and every time I go back to town, I take her to lunch and thank her. I'm not the only one, either. A fellow classmate had a baby boy about ten years ago, and named him "Carttar" after her.

I've run into several of her former students over the years, and every single one who had Mrs. Carttar will tell you the same thing... Favorite teacher EVER. Bar none.

Updated On: 10/8/06 at 10:06 AM

[DG]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 10:14am

Best - what a FABULOUS story to read in the morning - thanks!

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 10:38am

Lee Ellen Beach. She was my speech and theatre teacher and is now my very good friend. She kicked my ass until I got rid of my stage fright.

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 10:41am

Thanks, DG!

I forgot to mention a great personal story with Mrs. Carttar (probably because there are MANY)... but she was the first non-family member to encourage me as a writer.

As a sixth-grader in her class, I went to her one day, and told her I thought I might want to write a play for our class to put on... maybe something for Halloween. She loved the idea, and told me to go right to work on it. Instead of laughing at me or patronizing me... She didn't blink an eye, or say a single discouraging word. Instead she said, "Great! As soon as you're ready, we just need to get an adult to supervise the rehearsals, and I'll clear everything with the school." So out went the permission slips, Mrs. Carttar talked to my father, who agreed to sit with us at 7:30 AM every morning (before school) so we could rehearse. And then we had an assembly one day, and put on my little play for the entire school.

I look back on that now and realize how many times kids are told "no," or "you can't," or "how do you expect to be able to do THAT," etc. If a kid (like me, in this case) thinks he can "fly," and the adults around him encourage and support him... anything is possible. She showed me that.

What an incredible, rare lady!

Updated On: 10/8/06 at 10:41 AM

Posted: 10/8/06 at 10:51am

Sandra Guerra, my high school drama coach/English teacher. She whipped our Drama Club into an almost professional theater group. We worked and rehearsed and worked some more (we mainly did musicals), and I actually lost weight just dancing with the chorus. :) We would sometimes stay till 10 or 11 at night AND then have school the next day. Luckily the principal was very supportive of her efforts, and we also had the use of the orchestra and art department for assistance. When we presented "Oliver!", someone had written a "Letter to the Editor" of the local paper that he had seen many versions of the show (including on Broadway), and he said that he had not seen as professional a show as we had done - he was impressed to say the least. We were so happy to read it. :)

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/9/06 at 10:19am

*bump*


There must be more of you out there who've had cool teachers in your past, right?

I'm sure of it!

Or is the "banal" thread really the answer?... Maybe it's just easier to talk about things you don't like, or what bores you, than to talk about what excites you and inspires you. Dig down deep, people!

[peach]

Posted: 10/9/06 at 11:17am

I won't name names, but I will share...

My high school choir director/music teacher/musical theatre director. What a wonderful and inspiring human being.

My high school English teacher - taught with wit, fun and a sense of humor, while making sure we appreciated the classics and great poets. My love for literature and desire to become a writer came from this wonderful teacher.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 10/9/06 at 11:20am

Emily Nichols was my English teacher in my Junior year of high school. She was fantastic. She was one of those "out there" teachers. She used to record her spelling tests to a tape and then play them on test day while she sat at her desk reading. It really cracked me up. I had had trouble in English in the past. She found what really interested me and gave me special attention. We stayed after class to discuss poetry and she would give me books to read that were outside the regular assigned reading. I owe her so much.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 10/9/06 at 11:45am

Dick Kennedy. He was my English teacher in my sophomore, Junior and Senior years of high school. It was his love of literature that inspired me to become an English teacher.

At this point in my career I don't know whether to thank or curse him. Then again, teaching nowadays--and in the environment I'm in--
isn't what it used to be.

I often wonder if Dick is still alive.

[raulfan]

Posted: 10/9/06 at 1:50pm

My music teacher in high school, Mr. Elia.

Wonderful, inspirational man.

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 10/9/06 at 2:33pm

The english teacher whom I had last year was a huge inspiration for me. He told our class that, "If you want to be a 'corrupter of words', you have to know how they work." I think it is one of the wisest things anyone has said to me.

Actually, almost every English teacher I've had since coming to my school (4 years now). I think you'd be hard pressed to find a more generally phenomenal department.

Actually, my entire school is pretty incredible. I love almost every teacher I've had here. I am like a walking advertisement for them. They should pay ME.

[The Grovers Corners Yenta]

Posted: 10/9/06 at 6:51pm

DollyPop, I remember Dick Kennedy very well. Unfortunately I never got to have him for a teacher, but we were always dicussing literature and writing. My favorite English teacher was Bill Reynolds. I had him for College Composition and one other class that I don't remember. He was fun, but strict. I was one of the few people he gave A's to. I remember he came out with the series of texts called " What Is Good English." But perhaps the teacher that inspired me the most was my third grade teacher Rachael Reichold. She sensed creativity in me and encouraged me to develope it. I'd be busy writing stories and poems to share with the class. She said that one day I would become a famous writer. I never really believed that I had the capability of being a writer until the passed few years. She is long gone but I still feel her love in every word I write.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 10/9/06 at 6:59pm

I can safely say that I've never had an "inspirational" teacher (thank you very must HISD)

[Raviolisun]

Posted: 10/9/06 at 7:07pm

My fifth grade teacher, Kristine Neimann. That woman was absolutely amazing, and motivated me wherever possible. My mom worked as the librarian at my elementary school, so I always stayed after school in Ms. Neimann's room. We had lots of great talks during those times. She was just an absolutely inspiring person.

[KelRel]

Posted: 10/9/06 at 7:27pm

My drama/speech/english teacher Mrs. F. She was so inspiring and never let anyone believe that they couldn't do something. Can't was only allowed in her class if it was part of a script. She was not only an amazing teacher, but she was a great friend. She is the reason I am becoming a teacher.

[Raviolisun]

Posted: 10/9/06 at 7:36pm

That's great, KelRel.

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/9/06 at 8:21pm

You know, I have to say that I'm depressed by this thread... but it's not because I don't think people are reading it and "trying." I've stopped playing the annoying cheerleader.

It's depressing to me now, because maybe many of you DIDN'T have even one inspirational teacher in your life. It's an honest (lack of) response here that has taken me by surprise. I feel very fortunate to have had several inspriational teachers over the years... but I guess I didn't realize what a RARE gift this was, until now.

I sincerely hope that all of you can find that inspiration from some "guiding force" in your lives.

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 10/9/06 at 8:30pm

* Mrs. Wickell -- My teacher for 3rd-5th grades. She was the light of my life in elementary school; it was like having a second mother in some respects. She could do no wrong in my eyes.
* Mrs. Fry -- My English teacher for my freshman and junior years of high school. Words cannot express how much this woman meant to me.
* Mrs. Niles -- My English teacher during my senior year of high school. She showed me that you CAN teach sensitive and dark material to high school students and that they WILL learn something.
* Dr. Hinten -- My advisor/frequent professor. This man has done more for me in college than anyone else. He is an increadible human being (and a huge dork to boot).
* Dr. Zabel (aka Darcy) -- The other head of the English department. Her quirky wit and humor made class a treat every day. She took my analytical skills to the next level.
* Dr. Parker -- The only drama teacher who ever cared about me as a person as well as an actor. One of the most truly genuine and talented men I have ever met.
* Mr. Riney -- The choir teacher who inspired me to be more than just another loud voice in the choir. His humor and goodness have stayed with me (as long as his infamous advice--"Drink so much water that your pee is clear!").
* Mr. Reimer -- The math teacher who never gave up on me and always went the extra mile to ensure that I succeeded. Even when I failed his class and had to take it again my senior year, he was nothing but encouraging.

As I look through this list, I realize how truly blessed I have been to have such wonderful human beings to mold my future. This is what the school system should be; teachers who go above and beyond and manage to make each student feel like the most important kid in the room.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 10/9/06 at 8:32pm

Yes, Twelvy, it is a rare thing that not all of us had. Don't be depressed, honey. We all find our own inspiration - that's why we're here! - but it might not be as traditional as a teacher for all of us. I'm enjoying everyone's posts.

Updated On: 10/9/06 at 08:32 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/9/06 at 9:02pm

Actually, you're right, Rathy...

I'm very impressed by those of you who had to find your way without the (rare) occasional "guiding lights" at the front of the classroom.




And Kitzy---That's great! Hey... Maybe it's a "Kansas thing."

Updated On: 10/9/06 at 09:02 PM