Inspirational teachers

[mumzy]

The current debates about education are really depressing: falling standards, lottery systems, testing etc etc. It got me thinking about my teachers who inspired me to develop a love of their subject. Off the top of my head I can think of Mrs C (history) who was the David Starkey of her time and made history come alive. Mr W (chemistry) who showed us how titanium jewellery (v.popular in the 80's) was made by changing the oxidation states of metal and Mrs G (home economics) who taught me to cook & budget a skill a use every day. I think what they all had in common was they loved & knew their subjects inside out and enjoyed teaching children
So which teachers inspired you at school and how?

Mr Nicol - English and drama in 6th form who inspired me to become an English teacher

Hugh Brogan - lecturer in US History at Uni - so knowledgable, eccentric and sweet (he (lterally) wrote the book on his subject and would come for a pint with us in his pink linen suit

My headmistress in primary school - Miss Mclachlan - unfailing caring, always had time for all of us. My dad still exchanges xmas cards with her

Mr Cooper - my class teacher in Y4 who was young, enthusiastic and scatty. Every day was fun in his class

Oh, and my Mum. Her subject was Physics so we didn't have that in common but our interest in/passion for educating was very much shared. I miss her daily

My school English teacher was one of the best teachers (and people) I have ever known.

Really passionate about her subject, and she had faith in us all succeeding, and would criticise us for falling short of our own potential (I think this is so important - some teachers are just happy with students passing, but its much more rewarding for children to do as well as they can, rather than being satisfied with less.)

My RE teacher in Sixth Form. He really made us feel what it was like to be a Muslim or a Hindu. I kind of assumed that he must be an agnostic himself to be able to enter into other people's minds in that way. It was only later I found out that he was a practising Catholic.

Also, my first primary school teacher, who was strict but a brilliant story teller.

And my Mum who did Sixth Form Classics and read us Moomin Midsummer Madness in her class on ancient drama.

Mr VanEjke (sp?) - my A level Economics teacher. He was fab! He loved his subject and brought it to life in the classroom. I was totally on his wavelength and just got what he said. And we had a laugh in the lessons too. I remember the economic knowledge tests (a bit like mental maths, but economics) each week with questions about Grange Hill thrown in for good measure I am sure it was his inspiration that got me my A.

Mr Milkins - my Biology teacher, he had a knack of making every lesson come alive, never realised just how good he was until we got a different teacher and it all became so boring!!

er none was a shit school

my history teacher - G. S. - he was the loveliest man - constantly going off topic but always fascinating whatever he was talking about. Really inspirational person. only found out years later that long stays in the usa he regaled us with were his research trips for his outside interests in A. Crowley, black magic and the like. I think he was outed by the news of the world about this double life much later, and lost his job as a result - such a shame - he absolutely never let the one thing intrude upon the other. Died shortly after that still only in his forties

So many I was lucky. My teachers on the whole had great faith in me.

My history teacher who made me feel special, ignited my love of politics.

My RE teacher, who stood by me when life at home was hard and I was not showing up as I should have done. I had lots of extra tuition and he encouraged me to apply for Oxford. He also loved his subject and had a passion that came alive as he taught, definetly an inspiration for me in my teaching career.

ANother RE teacher who was also a head of year, not so much for his subject passion but for the way his faith drove his teaching without at any point seeking to evangalise. he was also a very calm very fair head of year. I did something very silly in the lower school, I got my bollocking and he moved on. I try to do the same in my own teaching.

An English teacher , again he could see that I came from a very very difficult background and made sure I knew I was clever and could do whatever I wanted. He chaired fantastic debates and was so well read and interesting to listen to. He begged me not to become a teacher though!

I was also lucky enough to have some fabulous tutors at univesity. For Hebrew I had a feminist theologian who was my idol. I worked so hard every week to impress her. I wanted to be her, there is still a little bit of me that wants to in that room with Doctor Larkin pouring over our scriptures.

I also had the fabulous Professor Stanton who was an excellent orator as well as knowing his subject inside out. He was so personable and enigmatic. He told me in my final year that I would make a fabulous teacher.

And my PGCE tutor who still is a huge inspiration to me.

The teachers I found inspirational never bothered to "dumb" down their subject for us just because we were children. They assumed we were intelligent, respected our points of view and enjoyed debating with us. I still remember the lesson about the Tudors and Mrs C telling us about her labrador's phantom pregnancy because Queen Mary had suffered from them as well!