[ann70821]

Without a doubt my mother. She was an English teacher, and in addition to all that she taught me as I was growing up, I had the opportunity over the years to watch her as she adapted her teaching methods to the changing needs and skill levels of the students in her classroom.

She loved to read, and managed to pass on her love of reading not only to her own children, but to a great many of her students, as well.

[dancer31rmb]

Mr. Burnham, he was my Algebra 2 and Calculus teacher and he was just the nicest person. I always enjoyed math anyway, but I really looked forward to that class because I knew that we would all sit there and have no trouble understanding whatever it was he was teaching, and we would also have fun and laugh.

[Kiss Me Deadly]

Mr O'Gorman.. my 8th, 9th and 11th grade science teacher.. of ALL different subjects. I have had the pleasure to be taught of 3 different sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Earth Science) all by one great man who taught me to always pursue my love for science and medicine. We lost touch during college, but on one perchance day that I chose to email him, I learned that on that same day, he had lost his father... I felt like we had a real friendship in that when I was thinking of how he was one day, that same day, he had lost his dad.. what a connection. After that we have still kept communication, and I feel that thanks mostly in part to Mr. O'Gorman I am now a sucessful medical student.

[impasto]

Mrs. Stultz, who helped me find my path in college.

[yes.please]

mr. defillippe, my high school photography teacher, inspired me to always think outside of the box and that it was okay to not always go with the norm... plus gave me the tools and knowledge to become a professional artist later in life.

[fabgrabs]

Mr. Hanlon, my High School Latin teacher. He was more of a mentor to all of us than a teacher.

He had been a priest, but fell in love with a nun...they left those vocations and got married.

He died the summer before my Junior year. He was out for a morning walk, and saw a calf drowning in an aquaduct. He jumped in to save the calf, but he drowned in the process.

The school held a memorial, and many of us went to his funeral.

I've never forgotten him.

[milodrinker]

my math teacher from high school - he never gave up on me even though i sucked so much at math. he contracted cancer a few years after i graduated and once again showed his mettle - he survived the cancer.

[fashionfrenzy]

Mrs. Williams--English/Speech/Debate teacher--also my Whiz Quiz and Academic
Decathalon sponsor

She was inspirational, lively, inventive, in short, a tremendous instructor and a wonderful human being.

[snoozle]

My mother who bacame a daycare teacher after all her girls were well into their 20/s/30/s and raised us 4 sisters and still is funny and kind.

[Jaz]

Mrs. Smith, 10th grade English teacher. One day, very casually, she asked me, "What colleges are you going to apply to?" Before this no one had ever told me I could go to college. With her support I went to college and became an English teacher.

[nandp]

Mrs. Nielsen - controversial and thought-provoking, you challenged all those around you to assume nothing and question everything.

[Nyria]

My Grandma Ila - she was a teacher and I would always play 'teacher' in her basement (my poor brother always the student). She is 86 years old now - in a nursing home, and I swear she remembers every student she ever taught -- she always tells me storis of kids she taught 60 years ago.
I decided when I was little that I would also be a teacher and today I have an amazing job that love (teaching high school).

[suzana]

My Gym Teacher- Coach Waters. He pushed me to my true potential and gave me the confidence to be number one. He would race me against the boys. I would always beat them. : )
I had to change schools and my new gym teacher did not have the faith that Coach Waters had in me. She showed no interest in me whatsoever. I never lived up to my full athletic potential after that. I quit track, basketball, and other sports.
It is so true how when a teacher believes in a student and shows faith in their potential that the student can shine.

[twilight_sky]

Mr. Sinks, he gave me the chance to act in my first play. Every year he had his class perform a full Shakespear play. Ours was The Tempest. We performed our play, then had a chance to see Much Ado About Nothing at America Players Theatre and meet the actors. Since then i have had a love for theatre, especially Shakespear.

[ZitoGal75]

I will always remember my third grade teacher, Mrs. Martin, who brought the joy of school to my life (and the joy of some great accessories!). In her class I learned that school is not just learning Math, Science, English and History from text books...but school includes pencils, paper, notebooks, markers, crayons, stickers, post-it notes, highlighters and all the other great materials that bring the boring subjects of school (and third grade) to life. I am now a substitute teacher, working on becoming a History teacher and I hope that someday I can share the joy of "accessories" with some of my students!!!