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AIBU?

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Original poster

to turn the other thread around and ask what is the BEST thing a teacher ever said to you?

66 replies

pullthecracker · 27/03/2018 19:38

Thinking about things on a positive note, I remember my English language a level tutor, when I saw him a few years later, saying “I’ve never met anyone that worked as hard as you” (I only got an E, so that meant a lot to me)

OP posts:
JesusInTheCabbageVan · 27/03/2018 20:39

'I would have killed myself if not for you'

Admittedly not a healthy teacher-pupil relationship...

flowerslemonade · 27/03/2018 20:50

was on French exchange and the teacher said to the host parents I was courageaux. Didn't know what it meant until my friend explained to me it meant brave. It still makes me tear up a bit even now.

DianaPrincessOfThemyscira · 27/03/2018 20:54

Can’t remember anything about me, but one of my son’s, his teacher telling me what a wonderful little boy he is, so smiley and happy and just ready to get on and work - he’s very clearly one of her favourites. Made me all warm and gooey inside as we have trouble getting him to complete homework and reading so I was expecting a telling odd!

DianaPrincessOfThemyscira · 27/03/2018 20:54

FFS telling OFF!

TansyViolet · 27/03/2018 20:57

In year 2 we had a stand in teacher and had to do some creative writing. I remember the teacher asking if I'd borrowed the story from a book as she thought it was good. (I hadn't)

Bonbonchance · 27/03/2018 21:18

I had some lovely teachers but I remember especially one saying on my report card when I was about 15 that I was "a joy to teach". I use that same phrase for especially lovely pupils of my own now ☺️

LorelaiVictoriaGilmore · 27/03/2018 21:25

Tutor at Cambridge told me that she'd never seen a student "make so much of so little". We were reading Hume that week but I'd only read 8 pages... and written a 3000 word essay! Grin

Shednik · 27/03/2018 21:29

Nothing stands out tbh. I got a lot of academic praise but nothing nice about me or that made me feel liked or valued. That would have stayed with me.

Catspaws · 27/03/2018 21:31

On my last day of school my A level philosophy teacher said to me 'you're the kind of pupil I always imagined having and it has been a privilege to teach you.'

I think it's probably the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me!

LegallyBrunet · 27/03/2018 21:36

I'm in my first year of my law degree. One of my tutors told me that I'm his best pupil and he always looks forward to hearing what I have to say in class and I come across as well spoken and confident. I'm very shy and suffer from anxiety. It was a brilliant confident boost :)

Original poster
pullthecracker · 27/03/2018 21:36

There’s some lovely things on here, it just goes to show what a difference a good teacher makes!

OP posts:
HeyMicky · 27/03/2018 21:38

My RE teacher wrote in my report when I was about 16 that I was a 'rara avis' (rare bird). He was a great teacher and I was in the top set, so to be singled out from a high performing group was very flattering

GertrudeCB · 27/03/2018 21:40

Referencing my comment on the other thread, someone told my lovely history teacher what Mr Sullivan ( the turd) had said about me not being photogenic ( in front of the whole year) .
She took me out of the class- as I was devastated- gave me a hug and said " Don't listen to him, your a lovely person inside and out, and anyway he can talk, he looks like a Wookie !" Grin

TheGiggleLoop · 27/03/2018 21:50

"I truly believe you're the kind of person who could achieve something really great, you just have to start applying yourself"

My A level law teacher. I started applying myself and paying attention in class and got an A!

So if for some reason Alison is reading this. I'm sorry I never did do anything great, but it meant the world to me that someone refused to give up on me even when I'd given up on myself.

MeOldBamboo · 27/03/2018 21:52

Love this thread! My A Level French teacher Mrs Williams having faith in me always despite rough teenage times. She never gave up on my ability and supported me in getting a B.
And my wonderful primary school teachers, especially Mr Palma who pronounced me a comedy genius in school productions. I have continued my acting and thrive on the small comic roles well into my forties!

toffee1000 · 27/03/2018 21:53

I had a few teachers say in reports that I was a pleasure to teach. My German teachers, I understood, I was v good at the subject and they consequently loved me. My year 8 history teacher, I also understood, she was lovely and I got my best ever history result with her as my teacher (still not brilliant though). Even when I was in sixth form she thought I should've done GCSE... I was shit at it, that 'best' result was only 50-something percent, I dropped back down to 34% the next year Grin
My sixth form class tutor also wanted me in her form, even though I wasn't great at her subject (chemistry).

ForkIt · 27/03/2018 22:01

It wasn’t so much what she said but a primary school teacher who loved science and maths opened my world. All the female role models I had openly hated them, shut down conversations etc. This teacher used to sit and guide me through maths puzzles at break time for fun. It helped me be happy not fitting the traditional female module I knew and being a little odd!

FusionChefGeoff · 27/03/2018 22:04

I was 8 and was the current victim of some horrible name calling from a nasty girl in my class.

My wonderful, eccentric and sadly now deceased teacher looked me very very seriously in the eyes after I'd sobbed my heart out after an upsetting playground and said ever so kindly "Fusion, don't you ever let anyone call you stupid"

His absolute belief in me, how seriously he took my tears and the strength of his tone really boosted my self confidence at a really tricky age.

He was an absolute legend R.I.P

DBoo · 27/03/2018 22:08

Two things:

In year 6 so aged 10/11 my teacher told my mam that it's a shame University's won't take children my age as I would walk a degree.

In secondary school I wrote a poem. The English teacher marked it and returned it with a mara bar attached saying how much she had enjoyed it.

Atthebottomofthesea · 27/03/2018 22:57

I want to add that whilst I don't remember any major singular moment, I remember many of my teachers fondly, the ones who encouraged me even when quite frankly I was rubbish, the ones who took time to explain things to me, the ones who listened when things were difficult. I remember crying when one of my favourite teachers left in primary. I think they all just made me feel safe and valued and instilled a joy of learning. I think sometimes doing that is what can make a teacher great.

thismeansnothing · 27/03/2018 23:00

One of my teachers called me a 'bloody enigma'
I took pride in that 😂

UkuleleRose · 27/03/2018 23:03

In front of the whole class, she told me the parable of the talents. I didn't get it then, but I do now. It will stay with me forever.

DisgraceToTheYChromosome · 27/03/2018 23:16

At the end of my first year at secondary school, my English Language teacher told me in front of my parents that my command of the language was complete. "Write until you find your voice, and people will read it". Ok, my lifetime income from it is around £100, but I was asked for copies of both DM and DF's eulogies. Quite proud of that.

willstarttomorrow · 27/03/2018 23:17

As a grown up but I work very closely with local schools as a CP social worker (we are based in a very small area). In all local schools the link learning mentor always tell parents I am on their family's side, can help and share how positive things can be. They also feed back that the kids love me visiting them and call when they ask to see me. They are totally awesome, a joy to work with and make a incredible difference in these children's lives.

DairyisClosed · 27/03/2018 23:18

All of my teachers at my school used 'under water knitting' as an example subject when discussing A levels.

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