Stories of Influential Teachers
Discover heartfelt stories shared by individuals about their most influential teachers who made a lasting impact on their lives through dedication, passion, and mentorship. From inspiring career changes to fostering a love for learning, these narratives showcase the profound influence teachers can have beyond the classroom.
Uploaded on Apr 08, 2025 | 0 Views
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Presentation Transcript
What follows is an example of the posts from the discussion board focused on My most influential teacher. It may be helpful to have responses from class members scrolling at the beginning of class for others to read. This is a great discussion starter.
MY MOST INFLUENTIAL TEACHER Will there be students who say this about you someday?
The Driving Force I have had many great teachers in my life but the one that stood out to me the most was the teacher who pushed me to put forth my best effort. This teacher also tried their best to make learning fun and interesting. They always explained the subject matter in many different ways and new ways that the book might not even have. This teacher not only wanted us to succeed, but they pushed us until we did. Not only overcoming loud kids with low attention spans, but overcoming full classrooms that leave little time for individual help. I think all of these qualities exemplify strong skills in the classroom.
Saving Lives When I was in the third grade my school got a new violin teacher. She was my very first private lesson teacher. She and I are now the best of friends. I was originally coming to OCU for pre-med. Before I sent in my application, something just didn't seem right to me. So since this teacher is one of my biggest role models, I thought of what she would do. So I changed my major to music education. Teaching to me is so much more than what happens in the classroom. Teachers have a lifetime effect. Doctors save lives, but so do teachers. If it wasn't for this specific teacher telling my parents where my violin could take me in life, I wouldn't be going to OCU at all. I wouldn't have found my passion. I want to give kids the same opportunities that I had the chance to get. I want to be a support system for the kids who don't have one. I want to save lives.
From First Grade My most Influential teacher was all the way back from first grade. I know that seems silly, but from all that way back then I still remember things vividly because she was so great. She made learning fun and easy by connecting one on one with students to cater to their needs. Everything she taught was fun to do and easy to remember so you went home to do it with your parents because you felt accomplished that you had learned it! She made eveyone feel smart no matter if it took you longer because she would say things like "you just have more going on in that big brain of yours; you'll get it soon I promise lets do it again." She was inspiring and a light to be around.
She-Devil My most influential teacher was my band instructor for over six years, and it took me six years to realize that she was a person who deserved to influence my life. At first, I thought she was a she-devil, which she was, but there was so much more to her personality and teaching style than I could've ever anticipated. In one year of being in her class, I learned more about life as well as music than in any other kind of class I have ever taken, nd I was fortunate enough to spend six years under her instruction. She taught me how hard work, effort, and commitment to excellence can lead to success in anything.
String em Like Popcorn Throughout my many experiences with different teachers/professors/conductors, there has yet to be one that surpasses the excellence and selflessness of my high school band director. Not only did he invest himself into my personal growth as a trumpet player, but he deeply broadened my understandings of musicianship all around. His enlightening attitude and sincere concern for each musician created a universal passion for the music we performed. In his rehearsals, he would create different analogies in order to better personify difficult concepts, and one of my favorites was the way he painted the picture of a phrase: 'String the notes together like you're stringing popcorn for a Christmas tree.' I have yet to find a better definition or analogy that, for me, materializes the concept of a cohesive, well-shaped phrase as this. Sadly, this example cannot possibly do justice to the knowledge that he has passed on to me, and I'm sure, to many of his students.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T My most influential teacher ran his classroom based on a system of mutual respect. He had somehow found a balance of being able to have fun in the classroom while still maintaining authority. He valued our opinions in a way that made us feel empowered and important. Because of this model of respect, we respected him in return. As students, we wanted to always do our best, not out of fear of getting in trouble, but because my teacher had high expectations for us and we wanted to be able to live up to those expectations. He always believed me even when I didn't believe in myself and that pushed me to be able to live up to my full potential.
Reverse Psychology Most people are probably writing about teachers that influenced them in good ways, and that s great! But, if I m being honest, my most influential teacher was the worst teacher I ve had. I disagreed with everything he did. To me he didn t act professional To him we were just ignorant children that he had to babysit for an hour each day. At times I was extremely discouraged about being a music ed major because I was terrified of being like him, but then I realized something; he was influencing me to be better. His lack of professionalism actually got me excited to be a teacher because I know that I can do it better. I can t wait to show kids how they deserve to be treated. I learned that being a dictator in rehearsal doesn t inspire the students to learn, losing your temper doesn t make the kids want to try harder, and having an attitude of apathy doesn t get you anywhere. I now know exactly the teacher I want to become because his teaching influenced me.
