Have you ever been inspired by a teacher? What did they do or say?

Question

I am looking for inspirational stories of teachers for our site..

http://school-teacher-student-motivation-resources-courses.com/inspirationalteacher.html

Answer 1

I had a great teacher in high school for 3 history classes. It was in his class that I actually decided I wanted to be a teacher, although in elementary school. He was always teaching in a way that we had fun, and he had fun with it as well. I thought, "I want a career where I can encourage this kind of attitude toward learning and enjoy myself." We actually nominated him for the Disney Teacher of the Year our senior year (at the nudging of our AP English teacher) and he got a copy of all our essays at the end of the year. He left after my senior year for another school and I emailed him periodically throughout college, just checking in and keeping in touch. At one point, he had a really rough year and confided that he considered leaving the profession. I was shocked! I really wondered about my own career then because I was halfway through college and was following his example! What would happen to me? Well in the first few months of my first year of teaching, he found my new address and emailed me. He expressed his pride that I had ignored his rant about the teaching profession that one time and said that the years since that had gotten so much better for him. He warned that I would probably have those years and advised me to forget what he had said.

He said, "I seem to recall that I advised you to stay away from education in one email.  I still can't believe that I said that (above all, to one of my most talented students).  It wasn't because I thought you would be a bad teacher, it's just that I was having a really bad year.  I actually considered leaving the profession for a while.  I've always felt horrible about that email."

I think that human aspect made me admire him more. I know we're all going to have rough years and I think I'll always be able to email him and get an honest response to any of my problems.

Answer 2

my 7th grade math teacher was my inspiration... at least for that school year, I found math to not be so tough... i enjoyed going to my math class when I had her as my teacher... she would always say... if at first you don't succeed, try,try, try, again

for your site, have you ever tried looking in the chicken soup for the teachers soul books? even some of the other books in that series have some FANTASTIC stories.

Answer 3

The best teacher I ever had was one called Caroyn Thomas. She taught English literature and language at South Tyneside College.  She explained things in a manner that showed her enthusiasm for her subject, but she also made references to things that she had read and you hadn't in a manner that made you want to research further for yourself.  She never lost her temper, but had such a rare quality (that I can't quite describe) that if you didn't share her enthusiasm you felt that you had let yourself down, not her.  Homework that was submitted was always marked within a week and included ways of increasing your expression as well as what you had done right before where you could improve.

She made teaching look so easy that I decided that I could follow in her footsteps - and I did.  As a boss, she expects the same level of dedication that she has demonstrated - she leads by example.

Ask anyone who she has taught and they will say that she's 'scary' because she expects so much of you.  She really stretches and challenges you.