Teacher Roll Call

Sundae · 03-09-2007, 06:57 AM

This thread is to celebrate teachers.

Most people have a teacher they remember as a positive influence on their life. Whether it was a teacher who believed in you and cut you some slack, or one who pushed you to achieve. You don't have to name the school, the year or even the teacher's full name, I'm more intersted in hearing the story than anything that could be googled.

Mine are

Mrs Hastings:
Year tutor age 8-9. Very strict, very traditional disciplinarian Catholic teacher. She introduced me to poetry, using a dictionary for meaning rather than spelling and the idea that personal writing could be more than, "I did, I said, I went..." She taught us the difference between simile and metaphor - it didn't sink in at that age, but it amazed me when my A Level class (16-18) needed to have it explained.

Mrs Collinge-Hill:
English Language & Literature age 12-16. Very sarcastic and acerbic, but with a real passion for literature. Taught me many things that were repeated at A Level (see above). Encouraged creative writing but bit hard when it was derivative, clumsy or cliched. Also occasionally my Drama and Religious Education teacher so my view may be coloured by the fact I was one of her favourites. Except being a favourite meant being pushed harder.

DanaC · 03-09-2007, 01:15 PM

Mr White.

English teacher from 13-16. Witty and quirky and completely focused on teaching. Had an absolute love for literature and the complete trust of his students. Talked to us like adults, credited us with some intelligence and did a sideline in motor maintenance which he positively encouraged the girls to get involved with (not that I took that up:P). Raised in a children's home he had a particular affinity for the looked after kids and organised holiday trips for them through the school. Ran a poetry club, encouraged us to have proper debates in class, about real issues, some of which got a touch heated. Introduced us to Shakespeare, Catch-22, Wilfred Owen and Woodie Guthrie.

He always took me seriously when I showed him my experiments in writing, gave me proper constructive criticism that made me feel like what i was doing actually mattered. He was the one that helped me when my life started to spiral out of control and I was effectively having a mini-breakdown (15).

BigV · 03-09-2007, 01:29 PM

Great thread, SG!!

Not in any particular order:

Mr Foster. AP (Advanced Placement, college preparatory) English. I don't recall any particular English-y stuff I learned from him, but the life lessons learned from his attitude and comportment were invaluable. He was something of a dandy, with a deceptive southern drawl. He was supremely self confident, and it made a positive impression on me. He took us to the Huntington Hartford theater in Los Angeles for a couple of field trips. We saw The First Monday In October, The Gin Game, and a couple more maybe. I loved the trips, and Hollywood was a very glamorous field trip for a class of 15-16 year olds. We ate at the Brown Derby one trip, and I distinctly remember him telling us that we were just as good as the other patrons, and if we wanted ketchup on our steak, by golly, we had every right to have it that way. Very empowering.

Mr Martindale. My woodshop teacher when I was 13-14. I was in his class for two years. I was his prize pupil. I won a county wide Industrial Arts award for my woodworking, which was a big deal for me at that age. I learned a lot in his classes. I especially appreciate the opportunity and the mentoring in the area of woodworking, and working with my hands. I love working with wood. I feel I "understand wood" and what it's capable of and what I'm capable of. He made that possible. Some of the furniture I made 30 plus years ago is still in use today.

Mrs Krecji, English Composition, high school. How to write a paper. How to write a paragraph. Opening sentence, three supporting sentences, concluding sentence. How to write an outline. Write like you speak; do not be pretentious just because it's in writing. Tremendous help in the basic mechanics of communicating my thoughts in written form.

Mr Foley. I'm sure he taught something, but to me he was the coach of the aquatics program. During practices and drills he earned my hatred. I'm over that now. He was right and I was wrong. He was a good coach. "Finish hard!" "Practice doesn't make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect." Ok, maybe I'm not completely over it, but he was effective.

Mr Winey. Another aquatics mentor. In college taught me Water Safety Instruction, which I turned into dollars as a teacher, coach, lifeguard, pool manager, etc. Also taught me and certified me as a SCUBA diver (and first aid and cpr). More lifelong gifts from a long lost teacher.

Griff · 03-09-2007, 01:57 PM

K to12- a good teacher would have been a pleasant suprise.

College was better.
Dr. Johnson- Civil War History. He lived and breathed that stuff. He loved the literature of the conflict and his knowlege was broad and deep.

Dr. Dale- Special Education. He is a passionate advocate, is very supportive, and has a very good mind.

Larry · 03-09-2007, 02:14 PM

Mrs Gore - Primary School Headteacher. Never actually taught me directly, but we always used to look forward to assembly with her. Hilarious and good-natured woman, but retired about a year before I left, and the school has been going downhill ever since. She died a few years ago.

Mrs Margham - High School French Teacher. Very supportive, and helped me to forget how much I hate French. Really helped me during my brief period of depression, and would chat with me whenever I needed it.

lumberjim · 03-09-2007, 04:46 PM

I'd like to thank Ms. Wells for writing so clearly on the chalkboard in biology my sophmore year. In particular, the jiggling of her very well formed, and snugly clad tush that always made it hard ......to not pay attention.

And Mrs Kurtz who balanced respect and humor perfectly in bio II.

And I'd also like to say for every good teacher i had, there were 5 that sucked ass. nothing wrong with a little ass sucking is there?

Sheldonrs · 03-09-2007, 05:15 PM

Mr. Frank Lombardo:

American History and English - 7th Grade - Fairlawn, NJ.
He made both subjects interesting to me. He was also the first teacher I ever had that didn't just stand at the front of the class and drone on. He would jump on the table to teach. He would sing the lessons if he thought it would help. He was also the 1st teacher I ever had who let me be creative without telling me I was trying to show off or didn't want to "learn like the other students" as another teacher once told me. And when he wasn't teaching, he sang opera for local opera companies. He showed me that opera wasn't just for rich people with nice clothes. He also cast me as Ben Franklin in our class production of "1776". That got me interested in musicals and stage plays. Still am. :-)

Sundae · 03-09-2007, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheldonrs

Mr. Frank Lombardo:
American History and English - 7th Grade

What age is that? Only ask because he sounds amazing...

Quote:

He showed me that opera wasn't just for rich people with nice clothes.

I was lucky in that my Grandad worked at the Covent Garden Opera House, I wonder how many people labour under this mistaken belief all their lives...

Sheldonrs · 03-09-2007, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

What age is that? Only ask because he sounds amazing...

I was aound 11-12 years old then. 1971-1972.

And he was.

Perry Winkle · 03-09-2007, 05:28 PM

Dale Bryant, HVCC: He was my first CS teacher, and the first teacher that brought a dynamic, idiosyncratic approach to the classroom. He taught me to think and learn. There is no way I can express my appreciation to him for the way he opened my mind up.

Boris Goldfarb, UA: He made me realize that math isn't hard, and that learning takes time and effort. And that keeping a good attitude is key and that knowing about the history of mathematics is a worthwhile endeavor. Karin Reinhold, UA, continued these lessons.

Oh, and Mrs. Coker (my 3rd grade teacher who broke my school-wise self-confidence for many years after), if you're still alive: I made it, bitch.

Happy Monkey · 03-09-2007, 05:34 PM

Irving Stern, high school Computer science- influenced my college choice, and eventual career choice. Irreverant and eccentric. I spent most lunchtimes and free periods in his room. I continued to visit his classroom and attend his annual end-of-year picnics years after graduation.

John Glaze, high school Calculus- an amazing teacher. Pulled students out of homeroom and held class during various other downtimes, to get an amazing passing rate on the AP exam. Expert and professional, he often seemed aloof, but always knew exactly what everyone iin the room was doing, and how well they were doing.

richlevy · 03-09-2007, 06:11 PM

Mrs. Kopplestein, who at the age of 13 taught me to appreciate fine wines, sunsets on the beach, and what it takes to become a man.

Kidding.

be-bop · 03-13-2007, 08:04 PM

I'D like to thank the teachers at the schools I was at
Mr Taylor who taught maths, a more sarcastic bastard would be hard to find
anywhere who's idea of help would be to load you down with more homework
and publicly ridicule you when you handed it back incorrect cos you
couldn't understand it in the first place.

Mr Watson aka as Bonga a psychotic technical drawing teacher
who had difficulty in pronouncing the letter R and L used to call you
Waddie instead of laddie. wonderful teaching method quote "I show you
something wonce waddie if you can't get it that's your fault not mine".

Mr Williamson a great PE teacher and sport coach trained no doubt by
the Waffen SS all 5 foot 2 of him loved beating the shit out of 12
year olds,got run over and killed by a bus last I heard couldn't
have happened to a nicer chap.

Don't think the Female teachers were any better there was a teacher who
taught french Mrs Currie who could break a wine glass at 40 feet with
her shrieking,Mrs Semeonov a batty old bird we called the Russian spy
smelled of Lavender water and piss and was about 112 when i was there.

But I've saved the best for last a science teacher called Mr Neilands
who once when giving a boring lesson and been droning on for ever
punched a boy off his stool on to the floor for having the cheek to yawn
in one of his lessons.

Yes schooldays in Scotland in the 70's was a fun time
The best days of your life , Aye that will be right.

Ibby · 03-13-2007, 09:56 PM

Nuh-uh. You arent allowed to like (or, at least, publicly like ANY of your teachers while youre still in school.

BigV · 03-14-2007, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibram

Nuh-uh. You arent allowed to like (or, at least, publicly like ANY of your teachers while youre still in school.

Bad idea.

Bad because it's wrong and tragic on two counts. First count, these small minded morons that fancy themselves as your peers (or worse, your betters) who's opinion may matter to you enough for you to modify your behavior or attitude toward teachers you might be inclined to like DON'T COUNT. Ignore them with impunity and give more trust your instincts about the adults in school. Difficult though it may be, you *can* ignore them with impunity, because they'll all be gone very soon. It will not matter what Georgie or Susie thought of your opinion of your teachers after graduation, or sooner, at the end of class. You may be incredulous, but I assure you it is true.

Bonus points for this one because you gain practice at ignoring the fools that surround you. This is a valuable life skill for the day that will come when you need to ignore the fools around you and no easy escape is possible. Get some practice in now.

Second count, and more importantly, indulging your interest in a teacher or a subject now could lead to liking it, and that could easily lead to lifelong rewards. It is not hard to imagine that you could learn more from a teacher you like as a result of your increased interest. There's very little downside here. You are "stuck" in school for the time being. But it's only "stuck" if you dislike it.

03-09-2007, 06:57 AM	#1
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Teacher Roll Call This thread is to celebrate teachers. Most people have a teacher they remember as a positive influence on their life. Whether it was a teacher who believed in you and cut you some slack, or one who pushed you to achieve. You don't have to name the school, the year or even the teacher's full name, I'm more intersted in hearing the story than anything that could be googled. Mine are Mrs Hastings: Year tutor age 8-9. Very strict, very traditional disciplinarian Catholic teacher. She introduced me to poetry, using a dictionary for meaning rather than spelling and the idea that personal writing could be more than, "I did, I said, I went..." She taught us the difference between simile and metaphor - it didn't sink in at that age, but it amazed me when my A Level class (16-18) needed to have it explained. Mrs Collinge-Hill: English Language & Literature age 12-16. Very sarcastic and acerbic, but with a real passion for literature. Taught me many things that were repeated at A Level (see above). Encouraged creative writing but bit hard when it was derivative, clumsy or cliched. Also occasionally my Drama and Religious Education teacher so my view may be coloured by the fact I was one of her favourites. Except being a favourite meant being pushed harder. __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac Last edited by Sundae; 03-09-2007 at 06:30 PM. Reason: Clarity & spelling - I shamed my teachers!

03-09-2007, 01:29 PM	#3
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	Great thread, SG!! Not in any particular order: Mr Foster. AP (Advanced Placement, college preparatory) English. I don't recall any particular English-y stuff I learned from him, but the life lessons learned from his attitude and comportment were invaluable. He was something of a dandy, with a deceptive southern drawl. He was supremely self confident, and it made a positive impression on me. He took us to the Huntington Hartford theater in Los Angeles for a couple of field trips. We saw The First Monday In October, The Gin Game, and a couple more maybe. I loved the trips, and Hollywood was a very glamorous field trip for a class of 15-16 year olds. We ate at the Brown Derby one trip, and I distinctly remember him telling us that we were just as good as the other patrons, and if we wanted ketchup on our steak, by golly, we had every right to have it that way. Very empowering. Mr Martindale. My woodshop teacher when I was 13-14. I was in his class for two years. I was his prize pupil. I won a county wide Industrial Arts award for my woodworking, which was a big deal for me at that age. I learned a lot in his classes. I especially appreciate the opportunity and the mentoring in the area of woodworking, and working with my hands. I love working with wood. I feel I "understand wood" and what it's capable of and what I'm capable of. He made that possible. Some of the furniture I made 30 plus years ago is still in use today. Mrs Krecji, English Composition, high school. How to write a paper. How to write a paragraph. Opening sentence, three supporting sentences, concluding sentence. How to write an outline. Write like you speak; do not be pretentious just because it's in writing. Tremendous help in the basic mechanics of communicating my thoughts in written form. Mr Foley. I'm sure he taught something, but to me he was the coach of the aquatics program. During practices and drills he earned my hatred. I'm over that now. He was right and I was wrong. He was a good coach. "Finish hard!" "Practice doesn't make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect." Ok, maybe I'm not completely over it, but he was effective. Mr Winey. Another aquatics mentor. In college taught me Water Safety Instruction, which I turned into dollars as a teacher, coach, lifeguard, pool manager, etc. Also taught me and certified me as a SCUBA diver (and first aid and cpr). More lifelong gifts from a long lost teacher. __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

03-09-2007, 01:57 PM	#4
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	K to12- a good teacher would have been a pleasant suprise. College was better. Dr. Johnson- Civil War History. He lived and breathed that stuff. He loved the literature of the conflict and his knowlege was broad and deep. Dr. Dale- Special Education. He is a passionate advocate, is very supportive, and has a very good mind. __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

03-09-2007, 04:46 PM	#6
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	I'd like to thank Ms. Wells for writing so clearly on the chalkboard in biology my sophmore year. In particular, the jiggling of her very well formed, and snugly clad tush that always made it hard ......to not pay attention. And Mrs Kurtz who balanced respect and humor perfectly in bio II. And I'd also like to say for every good teacher i had, there were 5 that sucked ass. nothing wrong with a little ass sucking is there? __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

03-09-2007, 05:15 PM	#7
Sheldonrs Master Dwellar Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,412	Mr. Frank Lombardo: American History and English - 7th Grade - Fairlawn, NJ. He made both subjects interesting to me. He was also the first teacher I ever had that didn't just stand at the front of the class and drone on. He would jump on the table to teach. He would sing the lessons if he thought it would help. He was also the 1st teacher I ever had who let me be creative without telling me I was trying to show off or didn't want to "learn like the other students" as another teacher once told me. And when he wasn't teaching, he sang opera for local opera companies. He showed me that opera wasn't just for rich people with nice clothes. He also cast me as Ben Franklin in our class production of "1776". That got me interested in musicals and stage plays. Still am. :-) __________________ Laugh and the world laughs with you; cry and the world laughs AT you.

03-09-2007, 01:15 PM	#2
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	Mr White. English teacher from 13-16. Witty and quirky and completely focused on teaching. Had an absolute love for literature and the complete trust of his students. Talked to us like adults, credited us with some intelligence and did a sideline in motor maintenance which he positively encouraged the girls to get involved with (not that I took that up:P). Raised in a children's home he had a particular affinity for the looked after kids and organised holiday trips for them through the school. Ran a poetry club, encouraged us to have proper debates in class, about real issues, some of which got a touch heated. Introduced us to Shakespeare, Catch-22, Wilfred Owen and Woodie Guthrie. He always took me seriously when I showed him my experiments in writing, gave me proper constructive criticism that made me feel like what i was doing actually mattered. He was the one that helped me when my life started to spiral out of control and I was effectively having a mini-breakdown (15).

03-09-2007, 02:14 PM	#5
Larry Practically God Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22	Mrs Gore - Primary School Headteacher. Never actually taught me directly, but we always used to look forward to assembly with her. Hilarious and good-natured woman, but retired about a year before I left, and the school has been going downhill ever since. She died a few years ago. Mrs Margham - High School French Teacher. Very supportive, and helped me to forget how much I hate French. Really helped me during my brief period of depression, and would chat with me whenever I needed it.

03-09-2007, 05:28 PM	#10
Perry Winkle Esnohplad Semaj Ton Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: A little south of sanity Posts: 2,259	Dale Bryant, HVCC: He was my first CS teacher, and the first teacher that brought a dynamic, idiosyncratic approach to the classroom. He taught me to think and learn. There is no way I can express my appreciation to him for the way he opened my mind up. Boris Goldfarb, UA: He made me realize that math isn't hard, and that learning takes time and effort. And that keeping a good attitude is key and that knowing about the history of mathematics is a worthwhile endeavor. Karin Reinhold, UA, continued these lessons. Oh, and Mrs. Coker (my 3rd grade teacher who broke my school-wise self-confidence for many years after), if you're still alive: I made it, bitch.

03-09-2007, 05:34 PM	#11
Happy Monkey I think this line's mostly filler. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: DC Posts: 13,575	Irving Stern, high school Computer science- influenced my college choice, and eventual career choice. Irreverant and eccentric. I spent most lunchtimes and free periods in his room. I continued to visit his classroom and attend his annual end-of-year picnics years after graduation. John Glaze, high school Calculus- an amazing teacher. Pulled students out of homeroom and held class during various other downtimes, to get an amazing passing rate on the AP exam. Expert and professional, he often seemed aloof, but always knew exactly what everyone iin the room was doing, and how well they were doing. __________________ _________________ \|...............\| We live in the nick of times. \| Len 17, Wid 3 \| \|_______________\| [pics]

03-09-2007, 06:11 PM	#12
richlevy King Of Wishful Thinking Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Philadelphia Suburbs Posts: 6,669	Mrs. Kopplestein, who at the age of 13 taught me to appreciate fine wines, sunsets on the beach, and what it takes to become a man. Kidding. __________________ Exercise your rights and remember your obligations - VOTE! I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting. -- Barack Hussein Obama

03-13-2007, 08:04 PM	#13
be-bop Operations Operative Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: scotland/uk Posts: 664	I'D like to thank the teachers at the schools I was at Mr Taylor who taught maths, a more sarcastic bastard would be hard to find anywhere who's idea of help would be to load you down with more homework and publicly ridicule you when you handed it back incorrect cos you couldn't understand it in the first place. Mr Watson aka as Bonga a psychotic technical drawing teacher who had difficulty in pronouncing the letter R and L used to call you Waddie instead of laddie. wonderful teaching method quote "I show you something wonce waddie if you can't get it that's your fault not mine". Mr Williamson a great PE teacher and sport coach trained no doubt by the Waffen SS all 5 foot 2 of him loved beating the shit out of 12 year olds,got run over and killed by a bus last I heard couldn't have happened to a nicer chap. Don't think the Female teachers were any better there was a teacher who taught french Mrs Currie who could break a wine glass at 40 feet with her shrieking,Mrs Semeonov a batty old bird we called the Russian spy smelled of Lavender water and piss and was about 112 when i was there. But I've saved the best for last a science teacher called Mr Neilands who once when giving a boring lesson and been droning on for ever punched a boy off his stool on to the floor for having the cheek to yawn in one of his lessons. Yes schooldays in Scotland in the 70's was a fun time The best days of your life , Aye that will be right.

03-13-2007, 09:56 PM	#14
Ibby erika Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: "the high up north" Posts: 6,127	Nuh-uh. You arent allowed to like (or, at least, publicly like ANY of your teachers while youre still in school. __________________ not really back, you didn't see me, i was never here shhhhhh

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