Yesterday’s post about Andy’s training batteries reminded me of one of my favorite teachers in high school, Staton Webster. He would sometimes say outlandish things, then add
It must be true. I read it in a book.
What a fun way to get kids to question what they’re reading.
I had three history classes from him. I also remember him telling us that if we’re rebelling against something we’re just as stuck as if we slavish believed and behaved the way we were told. We had to figure out for ourselves what we were for.
My other favorite teacher was Dorothy Madison. She also taught history and I had the first semester of World History from her, then a class in Far Eastern History when I was a senior. She made history come alive for me. It wasn’t about memorizing dates, it was about people. And she told great stories about them. Is it any wonder I love history and biographies so much?
Anyway, I’m grateful to them both. Have you had any favorite teachers? How did they affect your life?
One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.
—Carl Jung
I have written about my experiences with teachers, one when too young to learn any significant life lesson and the other when my entire future was in jeopardy till the teacher took me in hand and rescued me.
http://rummuser.com/?p=10584 and http://rummuser.com/?p=7285
He certainly did change your life! Whar a wonderful man.
I had a few favourite teachers. The common element I think is that they were interested in me as an individual.
I had the same teacher for English 4 out of 6 years in high school. I learnt to relate what we learning to my own experience from him. Quite fundamental (whatever the subject) I think.
Great teachers are scarce. I’m glad you had some.
I can only remember Mrs Battersby – who taught Maths to which I apparently was excelling so much, that I was put a up a class – where I slid directly to the bottom with a man from Hungary that I failed to understand what he was saying…
Mostly I hated high school, especially as I was at boarding school, 100s of miles away from home…
That’s too bad about the math, and about having to go to boarding school. I’m glad you get to enjoy college now. You deserve it!
My college freshman lit. teacher made me love T. S. Elliot.
A good teacher can do that. They’re treasures.