I was thinking tonight about my most influential teachers, the ones who really had an impact on me growing up. Mrs. Pruitt was a junior high English teacher of mine. She was funny, artsy, creative, and made us look forward to being in her class every day. I can still vividly picture her standing in a trash can and on top of a desk to illustrate prepositions. We studied poetry using the classic stuff mixed with Shel Silverstein, even putting on a play based upon his crazy works. We worked harder than any other class I took in junior high, but it didn't feel like it at the time, because she made it so much fun. She also made it crystal clear that she cared for each of us deeply, as if we were her own children. When I started teaching, I definitely modelled much of my practice after her example. I was absolutely crushed when her husband came to coach at our school, and Mrs. Pruitt had to change campuses, because our district at the time had a rule that spouses couldn't teach in the same school. I still keep in touch with her (and a couple of others) to this day via Facebook, and I am looking forward to taking a trip with my wife and kids to see her out in Taos one of these days.

Besides Mrs. Pruitt, I would list my 6th grade teacher, Mrs. Hardison, another junior high English teacher, Mrs. Talbert, my high school psychology/sociology teacher, Mrs. Holcombe, and a college government professor, Dr. Smist, as being at the top of my list. So, what teacher was your favorite and why?

I don't remember one teacher. A couple of football and baseball coaches

Mrs. Clyde. She was my 4th grade teacher, a hump back midget at that. We all learned plenny respect in that class.

Mrs. Bue 7th grade science. she was so hot, and helped to spark my interest in science. those Guess jeans kept me guessing for two years.(no I wasn't in 7th grade two years!)


Coach Higgs. He was my math teacher, but more than that, just an all around good influence. He busted my azz in front of the class once for something, and it was the closest I'd ever been to crying for getting swats. that old man could fling that paddle.

Coach Davis(no relation, but same first name too)

I was home schooled!

Then you'd better say your mom (or dad)!

FB when do you get your phd?

I forgot to add Dr. Leon Kappelman at UNT.

He taught the very last class I took before I graduated. I still keep in touch with him, as he extremely well connected in IT and enterprise architecture, and just an all around good man.

Ironically, he also taught the first class I took at UNT and he failed me. Well, catching crappie and not going to class actually failed me.

Hopefully about this time next year...hopefully.

Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are...

I loved all the male teachers who were coaches. The classes were easy and you could always distract them into talking about sports instead of the the subject they were teaching. You still learned the material but they were the best teachers and a lot of fun.

Way too many to list, and not really appreciated until later in life.

Every coach I had was a dud in the classroom. History. Health.

"Read the chapter. Answer the questions at the end of the chapter."

Joseph E. Seagram and Sons.

Nut

Mine was my HS band director...

He taught me stuff I still use every day.... seems like that would be a good way for a teacher to mark a career.

His deal was "give me 20 minutes" practice time every night.

He figured out a way to introduce a bunch of rock-and-roll boys to Jazz via a Quincy Jones album... I am still hooked.. although much deeper now.


Thank you Mr. G...

Yah, the coaches had a way of simplifying the learning process but I loved it at the time.

You're right about not appreciating the good teachers until later in life. High school was too easy for me, I went to college completely unpaired for it. I only had one teacher in high school that tried to prepare me for college and we all hated him at the time. He is the only one that I have any respect for now.

I would probably have to go with my two JROTC instructors. I was headed down the wrong path and probably would not have turned out like I did had they not kept a boot in my butt and taught me that I had a true love for helping others and I would probably not have the career I have now either. I went through a phase where I rebelled against everyone after I lost my Dad and they really helped keep me out of serious trouble.
Also had a couple of coaches that were great.

yep.. I carried a sweet 0.60 GPA for my first 2 semesters. I caught a lot of fish, and partied HARD. I spent the rest of my college career trying to get that back to a barely acceptable 3.0.

My Favorite was 1st Sgt Bennett JROTC for all 4 years of High School. He took me down to Ft Hood to Take the Infantry SQT Test prior to my enlisting. That got me enlisted at E-3 and promoted to E-4 as soon as I finished Basic training.

I had one who was so bad a teacher when I read her obit when she died in her mid nineties-my wife was shocked when I said its about time.
However,when I read through the obit,I understood more why she was such and old crab,her home had been full of sickness and death,and a son of hers was well known in the community for being a thorn in everyones side.
Be careful when you judge someone without walking a mile in thier shoes.

Now my favorite was probably a 5th grade teacher Mrs.Terry.She was able to keep me busy and challenged so my behavior problems didnt disrupt class.

I had a shop teacher my Sr year. He got all the reject kids and taught them skills so that could be employed. He was one of those guys you could tell loved teaching even though all the kids didn't like learning.

Mine is William Powers at UT School of Law. He taught my first year Torts class and second year Products Liability class. He was an outstanding teacher and is now the President of UT.

In high school, my sociology teacher, Deretha Burris was my favorite!

I remember one teacher from school.... Senora Mata. She taught Spanish 3 and 4. She would sit on her desk wearing those skirts, and man, there wasn't a red blooded male in that classroom that wasn't paying attention. She was SMOKING hot, and she knew it. Thanks to her, I paid attention in spanish class, and I speak it fluently to this day.

Whitney Yow
Senior English class was entertaining and informative due to his delivery. The man had a way with words and could cut you off at the knees with em.

Jonny Gragg. He was my shop teacher in junior high. taught me to draft, which is how I make my living now. RIP Jonny.