The sad reality is that there are very few teachers like you describe, but those that are really stand out and should be honored!!! I had a teacher kind of like that who taught science in Jr. High school (my favorite class, but I don't remember his name) and I was struggling in math class getting nothing but "D"s. One day, he wanted to see me after class and decided to tutor me in math. He had a very unique way of doing it. He showed me how to solve math problems backwards and to teach me fractions and such noticed an interest I had in electronics, so when my parents showed up for Teacher-Parent night or whatever it was called, he pulled them aside and had a meeting with them and told them what he was doing and made them buy me these electronic kits, not the small ones like they tried to get away with, but the big 150 project ones! My parents appreciated him tutoring me and all, but did not like the "buying the kits and supporting me" part, but they eventually did as he requested and I ended up going from "D"s in math to "B"s in one semester. I used to hate English class as well through grade school and into Jr. High until I was assigned to Mr. Pasquali's class. This guy could turn a failing "F" student into a "B" student in one semester with his very unique rebellious way of teaching English! The school administration and many parents did not like his teaching technique, but he was one of the most popular teachers! He had long hair and was an expert at Backgammon and checkers and such and he had a radio in class. He would incentivize the students by holing out a carrot: He would always say that if we did the work properly for the first half hour of class then he would have us spend the last 15 minutes playing backgammon and what have you (he had a bunch of backgammon sets and such in a closet in the classroom) and he would turn on the popular rock station all us kids enjoyed. The parents though started to like him when they saw their failing kid get good grades all of the sudden and would make a bee-line to his class in Parent-Teacher night to ask him how in the world he did it. They would still walk away scratching their heads, but grateful none the less. I went from a low "C" grade in English and such to "A"s in a month! I also would volunteer to do extra credit work! He had me (most of the kids) doing book reports! I hated book reports with a passion before then. He let the kids choose their own books from the school library to do their reports (something also not heard of). I went straight to the science fiction section. Later devouring the entire section! I have always been a reader. When I got to high school, I was a straight "B" student. I took a "business match and machines" class with a strict teacher. It was all about learning accounting and using calculators. I always though the teacher (I don't recall his name, but all the kids hated him) was going to beat me or something. Turns out, he was just passionate about the subject and I ended up being his top student for the year! He told my parents how proud he was of me (never told me that). I like his class though and the homework working in ledgers and such. I had some terrible teachers as well of course. Who hasn't? I also do not remember their names. A couple of them were so bad that they even angered my parents.
The sad reality is that there are very few teachers like you describe, but those that are really stand out and should be honored!!! I had a teacher kind of like that who taught science in Jr. High school (my favorite class, but I don't remember his name) and I was struggling in math class getting nothing but "D"s. One day, he wanted to see me after class and decided to tutor me in math. He had a very unique way of doing it. He showed me how to solve math problems backwards and to teach me fractions and such noticed an interest I had in electronics, so when my parents showed up for Teacher-Parent night or whatever it was called, he pulled them aside and had a meeting with them and told them what he was doing and made them buy me these electronic kits, not the small ones like they tried to get away with, but the big 150 project ones! My parents appreciated him tutoring me and all, but did not like the "buying the kits and supporting me" part, but they eventually did as he requested and I ended up going from "D"s in math to "B"s in one semester.
I used to hate English class as well through grade school and into Jr. High until I was assigned to Mr. Pasquali's class. This guy could turn a failing "F" student into a "B" student in one semester with his very unique rebellious way of teaching English! The school administration and many parents did not like his teaching technique, but he was one of the most popular teachers! He had long hair and was an expert at Backgammon and checkers and such and he had a radio in class. He would incentivize the students by holing out a carrot: He would always say that if we did the work properly for the first half hour of class then he would have us spend the last 15 minutes playing backgammon and what have you (he had a bunch of backgammon sets and such in a closet in the classroom) and he would turn on the popular rock station all us kids enjoyed. The parents though started to like him when they saw their failing kid get good grades all of the sudden and would make a bee-line to his class in Parent-Teacher night to ask him how in the world he did it. They would still walk away scratching their heads, but grateful none the less. I went from a low "C" grade in English and such to "A"s in a month! I also would volunteer to do extra credit work! He had me (most of the kids) doing book reports! I hated book reports with a passion before then. He let the kids choose their own books from the school library to do their reports (something also not heard of). I went straight to the science fiction section. Later devouring the entire section! I have always been a reader.
When I got to high school, I was a straight "B" student. I took a "business match and machines" class with a strict teacher. It was all about learning accounting and using calculators. I always though the teacher (I don't recall his name, but all the kids hated him) was going to beat me or something. Turns out, he was just passionate about the subject and I ended up being his top student for the year! He told my parents how proud he was of me (never told me that). I like his class though and the homework working in ledgers and such.
I had some terrible teachers as well of course. Who hasn't? I also do not remember their names. A couple of them were so bad that they even angered my parents.
Having the right teacher for your needs is huge. Especially when it's a subject you are not good at. Nice to hear from you Eric!