What's the best thing a teacher ever did for you?

[undeterred]

My American History teacher let me write a paper on a subject I was interested in instead of taking tests that involved memorizing a lot of dates. She made us turn in work every week and pace ourselves instead of writing a paper the night before it was due.

We watched the watergate hearings during my summer civics class. It was so historic that it would have seemed strange not to. But I imagine today anything having to do with the real world might be kept out of class...

[stevedeshazer]

1. Taught self-discipline and teamwork

My high-school band teacher was amazing.

[MuseRider]

2. So many things.

I guess the two that stand out the most are Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Ward. I took Advanced Science in 8th grade with Mrs. Peters against my fathers wishes. He thought I needed another year of Home Economics :puke: She taught me to love science and to ask questions and she followed me until my graduation from High School sending me a note about how I also encouraged her. I will never forget that.

Mrs. Ward was a tough old band teacher in Jr. High who taught me that if I wanted it bad enough all I had to do was work hard and I could do it. She taught me the value of hard work and to cherish the music in my life.

[DeAngel]

3. My teacher..

just kept on my ass throughout the entire semester. She knew I hated Math, but she kept pushing and pushing and I ended up getting the best grade in the school on the regents. Kickin'.

[senseandsensibility]

4. My high school social studies teacher

started classes with titles likes Minority Urban Affairs in my almost all-white high school. These classes were earth shattering for me, and are largely responsible for my liberal politics today. I come from a far right republican family and was not being exposed to any of that info at home. I could name dozens of other acts by teachers who helped me throughout the years. And now I am a teacher, and I LOVE teachers.:loveya:

[lyonn]

5. Taught students the meaning of the McCarthy hearings

Mostly what I remember is she explained (about 6th grade) that people were being accused of a crime or doing something against the country and how the accused were guilty until they could prove their innocence. Our family wasn't very political and it made an impression on me the importance of fairness in govt. She explained many subjects with the same style of trying to look at both sides. Now she was a teacher we all liked!

[OldLeftieLawyer]

6. She gave me no choice

I had to sign up for her journalism class. She knew I had a certain talent for writing, and as soon as she spotted me in seventh grade, she came and got me and signed me up for the newspaper - my only elective, and it wasn't until years later that I realized I might have chosen something different. But she never gave me that choice.

For six years, she stayed on me to keep writing. I won state and national prizes for editorials and features, and when my first novel was published, I took a copy to her grave in the cemetery overlooking my home town, and left it there.

On the flyleaf, I wrote, "Dear Miss Giblon - thank you for my life."

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

7. When my H. S. earth science teacher learned I had enlisted

in the Air Force (delayed enlistment before graduation) he stood me up in the middle of his class and shook my hand. (He was a Viet Nam veteran, and was the only teacher I had any respect for.)

No one had ever done that before.

[indepat]

8. Singled me out as the only Algebra student of 152 to earn a 100 for

the semester (my only claim to scholastic achievement).

[blondeatlast]

9. It was discovered I had insulin dependent diabetes when I was 7, back in

the early '60s.

I was in a coma for some time, and while I was recovering, wonderful Mrs. Christie sent a note home to all the parents requesting that if they sent party food to school, that they ONLY send items I could share in.

For a 7 year old, that was an extraordinary thing to do. She even got some angry response from it, but she held firm.

It's breaking me up just to remember it!

[undeterred]

10. that's awesome!

[fortyfeetunder]

14. What an awesome and thoughtful teacher

She was ahead of her time, this was long before schools got a clue about foods that can't be shared in a classroom environment...

[YellowRubberDuckie]

11. I worked my butt off in Chemistry in HS only to still be barely passing.

If it weren't for me trying and asking lots of questions, he would have flunked me. Mr. Maehs gave me a C. I will never forget him. He was one of the nicest people I have ever met. And when I see him, he still always has a smile and a hug for me. And I still have to call him Mr. Maehs. Calling him by his first name is just too weird.
Duckie

[fortyfeetunder]

12. High school selection

My overprotective parents were bound and determined to have me attend the neighborhood high school. I could walk to school, and be with my siblings who also attended that school. This school didn't have a reputation for academics, though some of my friends braved it out there.

However, one of my jr. high teachers wanted me to attend a certain magnet school, because of the programs there. My parents were dead set against me going to this school, to them it was too far away to them(a 45 minute bus ride) and it wasn't in the best neighborhood. Eventually, my parents relented, let me take the examinations (which I passed easily) and later attend that high school.

What I discovered a few years later was a letter that teacher wrote to my parents, persuading them to send me to the magnet school, it was in my best interest for the talents I had. I am glad the teacher wrote the letter! Going to that school made the difference for my personal life and my career. Most of my lifelong friends attended that school.

I spent years hunting this teacher down, and I recently found an address for this teacher, who now lives in another state. I wrote a thank you letter to the teacher and waiting to see if I get an answer. Not sure whether my teacher is alive or not, but I hope so, so I can visit and thank this teacher in person.

[Deja Q]

13. Assuming I'm not that 14 year old boy...

I'd say I loved my English teacher's comment that she wouldn't be surprised if I grew up and became a comedian.

Well, I've not become grown up and I'm not successful yet, but it's still possible. :D

[proud2BlibKansan]

15. I had a lot of great teachers

and the best thing they all did for me was teach me how to teach.

I also remember the bad ones. They showed me how NOT to teach. :)

[Blaze Diem]

16. All of them..they kept sending me on to the next grade...

I hated grammar and high school.
But I loved college.