5 Ways to Make a Teacher Throw Sharpened Pencils At You on the Last Week of School
5. Whine, “But I didn’t KNOW my child was failing!” after 34 e-mails, 16 phone calls, and 2 conferences
4. Demand to know how many other children failed the class because CLEARLY it is a teacher problem.
3. Call the principal and make irrational excuses about why the teacher hates their child.
2. Complain, “But we’re going to Disney World! We don’t have time for summer school!”
1. Demand a conference on the last day of school.
And here are 5 Things That Make a Teacher Smile on the Last Week of School
5. Chocolate! 
4. Seeing a child pass who struggled the entire year.
3. Seeing that same child’s smile when you tell them they passed. 
2. Getting a note from the child who made you want to tear your hair out that says, “You were my favorite teacher.”
1. Receiving a high school graduation photo of a former 6th grade student with a note saying, “You made a difference. Thanks.”
I remember my eighth grade Civics teacher Mr. Marcy. I was convinced he ate nails for breakfast. When we wrote a definition for a civics term, he wanted it word for word not in the ball park. If it wasn’t word for word, it was WRONG. He taught me to be precise and to mind the little details. He was calm, never yelled, and was the hardest teacher I ever had. I truly respect him. 
Do you remember your favorite teacher? Who was he/she and why do you remember them?
Michelle posted in Writing @ 3:12 pm | Viewed 3121 times
Gina Black Says:
Mr. Roth, my 9th grade world history teacher. because he was about as opposite of me as a person could be. He–well into his sixties, conservative in appearance, his half-glasses perched on his nose so he always seemed to be looking down at you, very exacting with no sense of humor; and me–hippy in the making, frizzy hair, interested in dialogue not lecture, not wanted to stay inside the lines, or do assignments–or anything else–just because I was told to.
We regarded each other suspiciously for some time, but slowly came to realize we both loved history and knew a lot about it, and that our differences were small in comparison to that. This is the teacher that accepted an epic poem on the Estates of France for a paper and I think gave me an A+.
I had discovered he was one cool dude.
In fact, he was the one who helped me understand the interconnectedness of all the history I had studied up to that time. Back then, I recall teaching as being more compartmentalized than it is now for my kids.
I came to love him for our shared love of history, and for showing me that the way people looked didn’t necessarily have anything to do with the way they really were. He retired not long after I graduated having taught many generations of kids. I learned much more from him than world history.
Christine Keach Says:
Forget about the 5 reasons for throwing pencils and focus on the 5 things to make a teacher smile. They make it all worth it!
My favorite teacher was Mrs. Marot, my 7th grade homeroom teacher. I don’t remember exactly what subjects she taught me, but she was just such a positive influence. We kept in touch for some time once I became an adult and we ran into each other.
And then there was Sister Helena, my 2nd grade teacher. The best woman I ever met. Truly. ANd it wasn’t because she gave us candy as a treat every once in a while! When I was in 2nd grade, I had to have major heart surgery. I started the school year late, but she never made me feel any different than any other kid in the class. And yet, she always made me feel special.
Thanks for making me think about them today!
Crystal* Says:
I LOVE teachers. LOVE THEM!
I skipped second grade because a teacher (Mrs. Petree) saw that I could. She tested me, and I got to make the choice to go from first to third. I went to visit her the last day of my ninth grade year. And she was absolutely thrilled to see me. After I arrived at school, I received the Presidential Academic Fitness Award. Thanks, in part, to Mrs. Petree and Mrs. Bourbainnais.
Then I had Mrs. Morris and Mrs. Mills in high school. Both English teachers. And both so brilliant in their teaching that I was enthralled. I made sure to go back and give those teachers who truly had an impact on my life…a copy of my graduation invite and a note telling them what they meant to me.
For fifth and sixth grade? Mrs. Yarbrough and Mrs. Mastick.
I can tell you every teacher I had throughout my whole academic career. Because they cared.
Grins*
April Says:
Is the problem parent the same parent of Mr. Plagarism?
One of my favorite teachers–I had several– was my first grade teacher, Mrs. Dale. I was a homebody and I had a hard time adjusting to the thought of being in a classroom with kids I didn’t know for a WHOLE DAY! Mrs. Dale did so much to make me feel comfortable where a lot of other “adults” were more into just forcing a kid to accept it. It helped me settle down quickly and made me her most devoted fan!
Amy K. Says:
The one I remember most is Dr. Mann, my 11th English teacher. Why? She pushed me hardest. Funny how that works, isn’t it? She’s also the one who had a big part in me eventually becoming a writer. Wish I knew where to find her now so I could say thanks.
Rene Says:
Oh boy, I had a few. I guess my all time favorite was Mrs. Christensen, my high school newspaper adviser. She really supported my desire to be a romance novelist.
Phillipa Ashley Says:
Michelle - do I remember my teacher?!
You bet.
Mr Fosbrook - sadly, he passed away a few years ago at only 50 - was inspirational. He fostered my love of literature and encouraged me to apply for a famous English university even though i would never have dreamed of it and no one from our school had ever got in. I succeeded and I will never forget him and wish so much he knew i was going to be published. So a conscientious teacher really can chnage your life.You’re a star to care about these kids so much.
Michelle Says:
Don’t you wish we could all send these teachers notes, to let them know what a difference they made in our lives? That’s the one thing I wish we could do. I’m sure many of mine have passed on, but some will always be in my memory. I really didn’t have many bad teachers at all.
Kelly Says:
I had two favorite teachers. My first was my second grade teacher Mrs. Matheson who is the one who got me started writing, and the seconds was Mr. MacLeod who for high school computer and math. He was the only high school teacher I had who let me do things my way and didn’t try to stick me into some ’student’ mold. He seemed to sense letting me do it my own way was the better way to work for me and in the end I aced any class he teached with little effort. Plus my sarcasm seemed to amuse him to no end.
Stacy Says:
LOL Michelle.
Mr. Pape. Highschool English/History. He brought the world within touching distance and, though he accused my friend and I of plagerism to which we aghastly denied (I was a major nerd and was totally offended he even thought I would cheat)he did finally believe us and was still the most remembered for me.
Melissa Says:
I had two - Mrs. Bond and Mr. Ruleaux, both English teachers. Mrs. Bond gave me the “best writer” award when I was a senior and said that someday, we’d be seeing my books on the shelf. Mr. Ruleaux always encouraged me to write and I kept in touch with him years after I graduated. Both of them always continued to encourage me in my writing endeavors. I hope to dedicate a few books to them some day.
Peggy Says:
I didn’t have any teachers who were memorable or influenced me in any way. Though I remember my grade 6 teacher’s reaction when I gave him a gag gift for Christmas. He laughed his head off and made my holidays!
MaryF Says:
YAY on getting the pats on your back from your students! I got a letter this week from one of my former students who has been writing me on and off since last summer, and she said I was her best teacher. This kid was so on the periphery of my class - I never really got to know her because the other kids were so troubled. But somehow I touched her.
My favorite teachers - Mrs. Dubois in 3rd grade, Miss Moen in 5th. Miss Moen had pets in the class, and we had turns taking care of them. We looked forward to Mondays to see what our assignments were. She also set up this project where each student had to teach a mini lesson. She said every student had a talent. So you picked your lesson (mine was sign language, just the alphabet) and then you could sign up to attend the other lessons. It was cool. She still teaches at the same school. I think I’m going to go look up her email…
Then there was Mrs. Pollack in HS - I had her for English 2 years. She was kind of ditzy, but the teacher you could talk to about anything. I wish I could find her. She knew I’d be a writer someday.
mary beth Says:
I have so many great teacher memories from my time in school Michelle. And I know those teachers inspired me to teach. The one who made the biggest impact was probably my first grade teacher, Mrs. Tageee. We’d moved to Minneapolis from Bald Knob, Arkansas and I was the only kid in the class who couldn’t read. That was back in the days of blue, red and yellow groups. I was the only kid in the red group. It was TERRIBLE. But Mrs. Tagee never let me feel bad about it. She spent more time with me and actually made me feel special. Before long I was in the blue group.
I had other amazing teachers over the years. Ms. Reed my 8th grade English teacher was brand new. She was so cool and beautiful and she told us never to throw away our clothes because they’d come back in style in a few years. She taught me research skills I used through college. Mrs. Bo, the Junior Englsih teacher who brought writing to life. Mr. Brown, the Algebra teacher who refused to let me settle for failing. Mrs. Gillespie, the journalism teacher who helped me make my career decision.
YOU definitely make a difference! Keep up the good work.:headspin: