Did you have a favorite teacher? Or you may be taking a class right now and adore your instructor. As well as writing about Amish schools last week, what got me musing about teachers is the fact my friend songwriter, poet, and author Marty Nystrom was recently presented one of three Alumnus of the Year awards at Oral Roberts University. He mentioned how much he enjoyed seeing several of his former professors. That got me thinking which teachers I’d wish to speak to again.
An elementary school much like the one I attended
For some crazy reason, my favorite was my Latin teacher at a strict girl’s school. How she managed to intrigue and befriend me is beyond my comprehension. Especially since my father was a Classics professor, a reason for me to not like Latin. (You know how teenage girls can be.) Mrs. McCall was a lovely person, but might no longer be alive. I should’ve looked her up years ago.
Quidquid id est timeo Danaos et dona ferentes.
The absolutely primo instructor at that same school was my mother. She was a talented portrait sculptress, who occasionally taught art classes and also pushed herself to learn more to better instruct her pupils. If she was a teacher in today’s age, she would more than likely keep herself very busy taking various online courses for teachers and professors. She made it her mission to give all pupil’s the best education and personal wisdom she could. All the girls loved her because she was kind and showed interest in their work. On the other end of the spectrum, Mrs. X was the least favorite teacher in the whole school. She literally made girls cry. I will not repeat what she said to them, but since I stood up to her I’m sure I was a thorn in her side. I’ve never tolerated bullies.
Teachers have a tremendous impact on children. Another woman I remember distinctly as being mean-spirited was in second-grade. Can you imagine a second-grade teacher making a little girl stay after school because she misspelled her first name? A long story, but I still remember the incident as though it were yesterday. Oh, dear, I guess there are two more people I need to forgive postmortem. It’s not good to hold onto unforgiveness; this I’ve learned from the Amish.
Were you teacher’s pet?
How about you? Did you have a favorite instructor? Do you recall a mean-spirited teacher who treated you or others unjustly? Or did you have a life-changing educator who bolstered your self-esteem and enriched your life? Did you like school? Is there a class you’re longing to take but never had the time or money? It isn’t too late to learn to play the piano! If you ever are struggling at school, some students have gone onto sites like www.collegepaperworld.com to get through their workload, always talk with your teachers and see how you can help yourself in class and how they can help you too, it’s a two-way street.
Leave a comment and enter to win this Amish-made Scented Mat Potholder from Lancaster County, PA, and the signed copy of either Pennsylvania Patchwork or Leaving Lancaster. USA or Canada. Winner has one week to respond.
Amish-made Spice Mat Potholder
Congratulations to Linda Z., last week’s winner of the signed copy of Pennsylvania Patchwork or Leaving Lancaster! Thank you, everyone, who shared their thoughts on one-room schoolhouses and homeschooling. I enjoyed reading your comments very much.
To be Released on June 1, 2014
My favorite teacher was Sister Rita King, I had her for high school history and she was also our principal. Now retired, Sister Rita and I still keep in touch through email.
How wonderful, Rachel, that you keep in touch with her through email! I respect teachers so much and wish I’d cultivated the same kind of friendship. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
Virginia Williams was my first grade teacher. She had a soft voice and was stern but loving. I am a lefty so was having trouble learning to write as everything was backwards to me. She took time to help me get it down. I would have to say she was my favorite.
The fact that you can remember your first grade teacher as your favorite is delightful, Donita! My mother was and husband is a lefty, both brilliant and creative. Thanks for writing and good luck in the contest!
My very favorite teacher was Sadie Sorge, my fifth grade teacher. She read to us before lunch ~ the one I remember was “Baby Island.” The least favorite? A teacher who told the boys dirty jokes. I stood myself out in the hall. The principal came by and asked why I was there. I told him, with tears for the dear man thinking I had been sent out. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
Three cheers for Sadie Sorge, Kathleen! The other teacher should have been sent out in the hall or to the principal’s office. Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!
Two teacher from Junior HS stick in my mind. One was a math teacher, that had body odor like no tomorrow. As a prank we all got him soap, musk and deodorant for Christmas. As an adult and a teacher myself I realize that was a inconsiderate prank to do and regret doing it.
The second teacher was my English teacher and the first person who realized my writing skills. Today I’m writing a non-fiction based on real facts book about the Amish.
Amishfun.wordpress.com
Your poor math teacher might have needed that soap, even if a less than kind action on your part. But your story made me chuckle. Your English teacher was a treasure, Wen. Your book sounds intriguing. Don’t give up; keep writing! Thanks for entering the contest!
Hi Kate! I don’t really remember many of my favorite teachers until I hit college, but I think that’s when they started to make the biggest impact on me as well. Dr. Becky Houck was my favortie teacher in college, as she taught Marine Biology. She was a huge inspiration to me, and I thought of myself (in a way) as her protoge. You can imagine how devistated I was when I found out that she had terminal pancreatic cancer, which ended up killing her shortly after my graduation…it still saddens me that I never really got to say goodbye. Dr. David Alexander was another of my favorite biology teachers, as he taught Medical Microbiology. I fondly remember his lectures being filled with NASCAR and Harry Potter references, which made me smile. Unfortunately, I found out that he too passed, as he died last year due to cancer as well. 🙁 But one of the teachers that really sticks in my memory from college is Dr. Ami Ahern-Rindell, who taugh several of my biology courses. When I first met her, she was very mean-spirited, and I can honestly say that I was afraid of her & thought she would be better in a laboratory setting. However, I started struggling in the course, and finally bit my lip and approached her for assitance. Apparently that was all she was waiting for, for after that moment we became pretty good freinds – so much so that she starting making fun of my test answers in front of the whole class (which we both thought was hystrical)!
I loved school, if you couldn’t tell! One of the classes I wish I would have taken was Latin – it was offered at my high school in Indiana, but right when I was about to take it, that was when we moved out here to Seattle (my high school out here didn’t offer Latin at all). I have a perchant for learning languages, so I still think it would be fun to learn!
Thank you for doing this giveaway Kate, and I really hope I can win this time! God bless you & stay dry!
Thank you for your entertaining comments, Mallory! I’m sorry you lost your wonderful teachers/mentors, but delighted to hear you enjoyed school so much. I’m not sure many schools teach Latin anymore. That short and very famous quote on my blog post is from the Aeneid and has something to do with Greeks and gifts … Thanks for entering the giveaway. I’m wishing you the best of luck!
This is my 30th year teaching 3rd grade in NC. I teach at the school I attended as a child. (as well as my 89 year old Dad, 4 brothers, and many more relatives) I knew even before I started school I wanted to be a teacher and never changed my mind. I recall many fine teachers I had, in elementary school, as well as high school. My 1st grade teacher (no kindergarten then) had a special puppet called “Puddinghead” that she brought out each day after lunch. I have never forgotten that. I did get to visit this dear lady in the nursing home a few years back. My late husband and I visited her one Christmas Eve before her death. Of course she didn’t remember me, but it was a precious visit I’ll always treasure. I hope I’m remembered one day by my students and the impact I’ve had on their life. Love this topic!
susanlulu@yahoo.com
You have my greatest respect, Susan! Thank you for sharing this delightful story and your desire to become a teacher. I keep meaning to visit my elementary school, although it is been updated inside apparently. But you get to spend time in yours daily. The fact your father and brothers attended makes it all the more special. What a precious moment to visit your teacher from first grade, proof positive that teachers have a tremendous impact on their students! Thanks for writing and entering the contest!
My favorite teacher was Sister Ailene in grade school. She was so sweet and helpful and I never saw her angry. She made learning fun and I will never forget her. I will also never forget Mother Cresentia from high school — for different reasons 🙂 She was at least 7 foot tall (or, so it seemed) and was so intimidating and never smiled. She was famous for pulling ponytails and smacking fingers with her pointer. After a few of those hair pullings, I changed to short hair 🙂
Your description of your teachers made me smile, Mary, for different reasons! How sweet sister Ailene sounds. Making learning fun is a skill not every teacher possesses. On the other hand, Mother Chrisentia sounds memorable … How clever of you to cut your hair! Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!
My favorite teacher was my 7th grade Ohio History..He was so cool and taught very well, took his time with his class to teach them and make sure we all understand
Thanks for the opportunity
If you thought your seventh grade history teacher was cool, I’m sure he was, Kathy! I’ve heard the history of Ohio is interesting, but it takes a skilled teacher to captivate the attention of seventh graders. Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!
My favorite teacher was Mrs.Smith.I have always been real shy and don’t feel like I fit in,but she had a way that made me feel like I was someone and it didn’t make me feel like I was any different from the other students.She let me stay after school and help her clean and organize her classroom.She would let me have the old books that she didn’t use any longer and this instilled my desire to read.
I love Mrs. Smith too, Jackie! What a dear. She is a wonderful example of how an adult other than a parent can embellish a child’s life and help build self-esteem. And to instill the desire to read is no easy feat. Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!
my most fav teacher was 4th grade mrs kay lamacchia just and all around wonderfull lady we remained great friends till the day she died wellington, ohio
The fact you remained great friends with your fourth-grade teacher is extraordinary, Donna! She must have been very special. Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!
Mr. Guccione, middle school band – he’s the reason I became a teacher! He had the patience of a saint, which could be a challenge with so many new to playing an instrument! I teach 4th grade in East Harlem – El Barrio and wouldn’t train it for anything.
You sound like a fabulous teacher, Kathleen! Hats off to Mr. Guccione for inspiring you and for keeping his sanity while managing/conducting a middle school band! Thanks for entering the contest. Good luck!
I suppose I remember my two high school English teachers best, Ms. Spurlock and Ms. Long. The gave me a love for English literature. I still remember a scrapbook we made to illustrate poets we liked. They made even Shakespeare fun for an adolescent.
Your two English teachers sound fabulous, Ann! To make Shakespeare fun for an adolescent must be a challenge, even if you loved Shakespeare yourself. The fact you’ve kept the scrapbook illustrates your point. Thanks for entering the contest!
I had several “Favorite” teachers over the years. My 1st would have to be my 5th grade teacher after moving from NH to FL in 1967, her name was Mrs. Pursley, she was a afro-american and she was moved from a all black school to multi-racial school. This was when FL 1st started intergrating schools. She was a great encouragement to me since I was raised in the north and learning was very much different up there than it was in the south. I guess it was alot different for her too as she went from a black school to having to teach kids of all races. She was patient and enjoyed teaching our class, she was kindhearted and always had a positive attitude. It is strange how one good teacher can make a difference in a childs life.
One good teacher is like a precious jewel, Lucy! I have the feeling you blessed her too. Thank you for sharing this snippet of US history; very interesting. Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!
Several teachers come to mind, but overall I think my favorite was my second grade teacher, Mrs. Haydenburg, who seemed to just love kids. In second grade I had all the regular childhood illnesses – measles, mumps and chicken pox as well as an ear infection or two. Whew! I studied hard and still earned all A’s the entire year. She was very understanding.
It sounds as though your second-grade teacher was wonderful, Kathy! And the fact that she was understanding is such a gift when a child is struggling with illnesses. You must have been very studious to earn all A’s at any age. Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!
I don’t remember a lot of my teachers (has been 64 years since I first entered school) – yet two that stand out in my mind are my first grade teacher Mrs. Standiford, and my seventh grade homeroom teacher, Mr. Pittinger.
Would love to read one of your books, Kate – thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of one!!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks for writing and entering the contest, Bonnie! I’d love you to read one of my books! Good luck!
I had the best teacher in the 3rd grade,her name was Ruth Renee.She was a sweetheart!All during the year she would be creative with the way she taught us .I remember at the last of school that year she brought from home that year ,her very own high hill shoes and scarves,hats and gloves and jewelry and several of her husband’s things and we played dress us in class all that day.It was amazing how sweet ,kind and thoughtful she was of all of us kids.She made us all feel loved and cared about ,not just a select few.I’ll never forget her. I would like to thank you for giving us this chance to win this pot holder and a copy of your book.Thanks!
I can imagine you’d never forget her, Linda! She sounds like a sweetheart and creative too. Only a very special person could make a whole classroom feel loved. Even her name is cute. My sister and I used to play dress-up, but never at school. Thank you for entering the contest and good luck!
I loved many of my teachers and I loved teaching school for 14 years after my girls were in school. Then I had to retire at age 49 due to major health problems and am now on disability. I just loved teaching so much. I do volunteer at the Center for Recovery & Wellness teaching crochet, crafts and WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan). God has a new plan for my life. Rhonda
rhonda_nash_hall@comcast.net
I imagine you’d be a fabulous teacher, Rhonda, inspired by your favorites. How generous that you volunteer, helping others recover. His new plan for you was a good one. Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!
What a delightful woman your third grade teacher, Ruth Renee, was, Linda! That’s a first; I’ve never heard of a teacher bringing in clothes to play dress-up. Great fun and how sweet. That vision will make me smile all day. Thank you for entering the contest and good luck!