Who is the best teacher you ever had? And why?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Steve Stuck on November 13, 2008 at 11:10pm

There was a speech pathologist that worked with me in second grade and reshaped my talking abilities. I was studdering all the time. It was terrible. I couldn't form sentences, read in class, answer the telephone. It affected everything I did.

I can't remember her name but I know her face. She cured me in five sessions because the teachers recognized my problem. My ability to speak today is still shaped by her. That single lesson she worked with me is still on my mind all the time.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nicki Laycoax on November 14, 2008 at 10:29am

George Roots has taught me more than anyone else. While he hasn't directly taught me everything I know about business and things web-related, he has helped open my mind to finding my talents and using them. (I wouldn't be here-Smaller Indiana- if it wasn't for working with George)

I have also learned a LOT on a personal level from being in a relationship with him. (Okay, I said it... yes, we date. :) ) I had no idea what being in an interracial relationship would bring, but it definitely taught me a lot about how to handle difficult times and see things from different perspectives.

Also, the late Tim Loyd, Indianapolis 500 photographer, did something for me. We both worked for the Dept. of Workforce Dev. for the State of Indiana, and he told me, "Nicki, I see you as an event planner making at least $50k/yr." At that time, I was working my job just because I needed a job, as I was newly divorced, and hearing him say that, made me look within and start to find my true passions. I have since planned several events and am very active in my community.

I could list the number of individual things that these two have taught me, but the biggest thing that they did for me was give me confidence that I needed to know that I can do anything that I want to do. In my position right now, I am shaping my future. I am not relying on a boss to guide or restrict me, and I am so much more valuable and knowledgeable than when I was cooped up in a cubicle. Freedom and encouragement are my fuel. :~)

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dave Gibbs on November 14, 2008 at 11:33am

Grade School - Mrs. Sydock. My homeroom teacher at FH Hammond in Munster. She cared for me like a mother and made learning fun. I still have the shadow drawing she made of me.

Middle School - Mrs. Theodore. My English teacher at Morgan Park Academy, in Chicago. She taught me a love of language and stories. I still have my book of short stories from her class.

High School - Mrs. Mary Yorke. My English teacher at Munster High. She furthered my love of language, the value of writing and saved my hide from failure in freshman college English.

College - Cleve Wilhoit. My journalism ethics professor and advisor at IU. He was rigorous and humane - a great man! His encouragement was the reason I stayed in college. The grade markdowns from my marxist and anti-theistic professors made me think school was ultimately a political conformist trip and a waste of my time. It cost me to ask questions. I wanted to be a photojournalist and get on with experience. Despite circumstances, Cleve helped me see a bigger picture. I am forever indebted to that man!

Grad school - Carl FH Henry. My professor at Trinity. Dr. Henry is the reason I went to a seminary to do my thesis on American culture and religion for American History. At the time, I was pursuing a professorship track. One of the greatest theologians in the 20th century, though largely overlooked. He became a generous friend, who connected all the dots. He was late in life and still made my brain tired thinking in class. He was the ancient variety of professor, who could quote the ancient languages and call you on your logic. A sublime large soul. His wife, Helga, was the perfect compliment.

Religion - God is most important to me. My late-aunt Lillas was a large soul with a big heart. Her influence helped turn me from being recklessly self-centered. It makes me tear to think of her, now. She pointed me to Life.

Everyday Life - My mother and late-father. They were complete opposites and made me both. Mother has iron passion and my father had a brilliant intellect. From them, life has no ceiling.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by David Mark on November 14, 2008 at 11:40am

I could fill volumes on the number of invaluable teachers in my life. For the sake of brevity, I'll offer my senior HS english composition teacher, Mrs. Fisher, as one of these all-time greats. It's too bad I had to go this far before experiencing the likes of Mrs. Fisher. She was amazing (major understatement)! She always brought out my best and her teaching catapulted me into a higher level of thinking/being. I was an average student mostly because I was bored to tears. I was that guy who got C's in A-type classes and A's in C-type classes. For those of you who perform under pressure, you know what I mean. I was an enigma to my teachers, but not to Mrs. Fisher -- she understood me.

I played football for one this countries top coaches, yes country, and he never brought me to tears (Think Bobby Knight and Vince Lombardi with a side dash of Hitler). Maybe headaches, but never tears. However, Mrs Fishers brought me to tears on many occasions!

The day my paradigm shifted permanently for the better was the day she asked me to stay after class. I thought I was in serious trouble. "What in the world did I do?", I thought. She pulls me aside and looks so piercingly into my eyes, I had to squint. I felt as if I had to take cover! She places her hands on my shoulders and a tear drops - from her eyes, not mine. She proceeds to tell me how proud she is of me, how inspiring I've become, and my creative genius has influenced others to break their chains and be a contribution. I remember standing there like a deer hyperfocusing on headlights. After all, not one teacher cared about me so passionately until then.

It would be years later before I'd appreciate that moment. There were two lessons I took away from Mrs Fisher's gift.

1. You can forgive young folks for not knowing this because of their lack of wisdom: If you want people to show up in your life, you must show up too, if not first. If you want love, be loving. If you want happiness, be happy. If you want a coach, be coachable! Do you think Mrs. Fisher would've offered those kind words if I remained invisible? Probably not. No, definitely not.

2. Never underestimate the power of a few kind words. They can change a persons life -- not just moment, or day, but life! Here I am many moons later discussing one of the most incredible 45 seconds of my life.

I knew I had grown when I went from being taught to being the teacher. Thank you Mrs. Fisher!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rhett N. Cochran on November 14, 2008 at 12:23pm

There were a couple. Norman Bruemmer was the sociology teacher at Elston High School. In his day, he was probably the class clown - or at least one of them. I say this because he still was as a teacher. When I was passed over for National Honor Society, I was really bummed. Turned out I was blackballed by a teacher that I was kind of a smartass to. At the time, that was a big deal. At the senior banquet, Brem (as I called him) announced me as the Social Studies Student of the Year. When I came up to the podium to get my certificate, Brem put his hand over the mike, leaned down and said, "They can't take this one away from you."

The other one was Dan McNabb. He was my choral teacher in high school. I had him for 4 years and I can tell you he had the patience of a saint. I know. I tested his limits on more than one occasion.

Honestly, I have fond memories of most of my teachers (except YOU first grade teacher Mrs. Strohecker who paddled me - I don't like you).

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lisa Ralph on November 14, 2008 at 12:32pm

Without a doubt, Marilyn Schneider. I met Marilyn in my early 20's at the start of my real estate career. She was a top producer in the industry, and I am so grateful that she took me under her wing. Yes; I learned a lot about real estate through Marilyn, but I learned more about life's treasures and making a difference in the lives of others. Through Marilyn, I became an active member of the Junior League and started volunteering in the community on a regular basis. Marilyn challenged me to think at a higher level. She brought culture into my life through sub-titled films, a wide array of books, food that I couldn't even pronounce and music that I would've never considered. She was an absolute delight to be around and always had sound advice. Although she has passed, I think of her often. To this day, when I'm in a situation and need to make a tough decision, I ask myself, "What would Marilyn do?"

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lorraine Ball on November 14, 2008 at 1:46pm

Sixth Grade - Mr.Thomas Reynolds taught me the art of improvisation. I credit him with the foundation of my public speaking skills.


Grad School - Dr. Thomas Reynolds - No relation - Taught me about the Means End Model - helping me understand almost every purchase decision can be connected back to a handful of human needs.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Shawn Quick-Raflik on November 14, 2008 at 2:55pm

My Mother and my Grandmother have been my greatest teachers. They both were widowed in their 40's and both had to work to take care of their family. When my Dad died, I was 7 years old. Grandma moved in with us to help raise me. My Mom had to run the family business. I can remember getting off the school bus and Grandma would meet me at the door.
She always had a healthy snack for me and then we would talk about my day. She taught me that every person mattered and that I was no better than anyone else. She told me that I should always be proud of who I am, and where I come from. She was a smart lady. They have both passed on now, but, I am living proof that they both were good teachers!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mike Tarak on November 14, 2008 at 5:32pm

Remorse is the best teacher I've ever had. I've done some really stupid things in my life...some not so large in scale but I learned from all of them. But the ones that I have had remorse over were the best teachers.

As for actual people....My late dad taught me a ton. I don't think I fully appreciated him and my mom's work as parents until I cut my first mortgage check. I also don't think I realized how much he taught me until he was gone.

Teachers...I was not a great student but one teacher stood out for me in 5th grade. George Dillenger at Fall Creek Elem. in Indianapolis. He was a big tall guy (or so it seemed in 5th grade). He was from Germany and talked about German Beer and 3-Muskateers candy bars quite a bit. He also had a HUGE wooden paddle on his wall (sadly, I experienced that once).

What I think he taught me was to have an imagination and always try your best. He read C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia to us in 5th grade. The whole set of books....I would long for the time of day he would read those stories to us. He was very animated and gave each character their own voice. I find myself playing with my kids in this manner at bed time with their stuffed animals. Not of great importance in the grand scheme of things but I remember this vividly and and I always liked Mr. Dillenger because of this and the fact that he really pushed us to do our best and be ok with falling short sometimes as long as you gave your all.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Phillip Archer on November 14, 2008 at 8:03pm

My high school art teacher, Mr. Berry. He was easy going, lenient with artists creativity, and he definitely knew what he was talking about. I remember asking him about the piece he was working on in class one day, and he explained how he went about using pen and ink in the form of pointillism. Till this day, I will never see an educational experience more effective for me than that one. Pointillism is my preffered form of artistic expression, and I will thank him forever for that moment. I know it wasn't much for him, but the affect it had on me will never die.

The image below is a perfect example from my work.

Attachments:

• Katharinesmall.jpg, 604 KB

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jane Howard on November 16, 2008 at 9:33pm

So many people at different times in my life..... My high school speech, English and theatre teacher, Mrs. Webb, helped me prepare for college.
I'm grateful to the PR pros who provided thoughtful guidance in the early years of my career (which was a great lesson in "paying it forward").
And to mentors like Ken Beckley, Larry Conrad and Mike Carroll, who believed in my abilities and made incredible experiences available to me and many other "youngsters" in the community in the early days of the City's amateur sports movement.
Three women in my family have had major influences on my life: my Granny, Aunt T and my 99-yr-old Great Aunt; they are or were the rocks of family life to me. From them, I've learned about unconditional love, taking responsibility for my decisions, and family history.
I'm still learning....from my dearest friends who provide the kind of honest feedback only they can provide; from my children; books, magazines, newspapers, the Internet, from the occasional negative experience and all the new people I meet every week. We never stop learning about ourselves and everything around us.
Gee, someone must have taught me the value of flexibility and lifelong learning.....thank goodness I learned those lessons....

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lynda Peterson on April 29, 2009 at 2:11pm

I was in my teens and was in a bustlingTarget store several weeks before Christmas. As I walked in I saw an adorable little child in a floppy winter hat. Her little face was rosy from the winter's chill and her mittened hand clutched her mother's coat as they headed into the store. The Mother bent over and said, "Here's the list you made. Where do you want to start your shopping?" I grinned and appreciated the Mother letting her child do her own Christmas shopping and the patience involved with this outing.

I waited to get a cart and then, rounding the corner, I saw a frail old woman who was clearly in her late eighties. She was shuffling slowly up the aisle and seemed to be barely moving because I, of course, was in a hurry and behind her.

It was then I noticed the person with the old woman was obviously her daughter as she bore a striking resemblance to her. I watched as they moved down the aisle, hand in hand. Occasionally they'd stop and look at something, often putting it back and moving forward again. My initial agitation of being stuck behind them gave way to amazement. I became entranced with their interactions. I watched the woman's face as she spoke with her mother. She smiled so sweetly and patiently at her mother that I wondered, "Does she remember when she was a little girl and the times her mother held her hand and helped her through life?"

It would have been so much easier in both those situations for someone to just pick up the items for their loved one. But life goes full-circle for a reason. We're here to help each other.

We can give back by helping others. I believe it's an oblligation, not an option.

This lesson was taught to me by that one observation.

▶ Reply to This

• First
• Previous
• Next
• Last