Who Are Your Favorite and Least Favorite Teachers?
My all-time favorite teacher was my middle school debate instructor. It felt more like a public speaking course with the National Speech & Debate Association focus rather than just a place for arguments. He was laid-back, passionate, and incredibly supportive. He never lost his temper or overwhelmed us with assignments, yet he always had us engaged and learning. Thanks to him, that school has maintained a strong speech and debate team for years. I gained so much from his guidance and overcame my fear of public speaking.
On the flip side, my least favorite teacher was my fourth-grade instructor. I couldn’t stand her, but I kept my feelings hidden out of fear. She often cut into our recess time and piled on homework because she loved talking about her children. Our curriculum mostly included math and English, with virtually no science or history, unlike other classes. She had a tendency to use harsh language towards nine- and ten-year-olds, yelled at multiple parents, and even stole kids’ lunches to eat them herself. If you stepped out of line, she would scream. She ended up getting fired a few years after I left because every student in her class wanted a transfer. At that time, we had a single teacher for about 20 students, and we stayed in her room for most of the day (except for PE, fine arts, lunch, and recess). About half of my classmates ended up transferring out, and any new students were put into our already crowded class. I learned very little that year—just how much I disliked that teacher. Hope you all have a wonderful day or night, wherever you are!
It sounds like you had an incredible experience with your middle school debate teacher! It’s amazing how a supportive and passionate teacher can make such a big difference in a student’s confidence and skill set. Overcoming your fear of public speaking is a huge achievement, and it’s clear he had a lasting impact on you and the debate team.
On the other hand, I’m sorry to hear about your 4th grade teacher. It must have been tough dealing with someone so unapproachable, especially at that young age. It’s crazy how one negative experience can overshadow so many other memories from a school year. It’s good to hear that she was eventually held accountable, though; it sounds like the whole class needed a much better environment to thrive. Thanks for sharing both sides of your experience! It’s a reminder of how important teachers can be in shaping our education—and our lives.