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Teachers Who Inspired Us
Shmoop loves teachers. Many of us have taught on the high school or college level.
When we set out to define the "Shmoop approach" to learning, we used one simple exercise:
Think of our favorite teachers, coaches, and mentors.
Then do what they did.
We Shmoopers (folks who produce Shmoop) wanted to give a nod to our favorite teachers and share a bit about how they influenced our lives and our work on Shmoop.
Preschool & Kindergarten
Ms. Peckie Peters
Bing Nursery School, Stanford, CA
Why: Prepared us for the dog-eat-dog world of kindergarten
Ms. Jennifer Dutcher
Kindgergarten and 1st grade
Brookfield School, Sacramento, CA
Why: No one teaches reading like Mrs. Dutcher. She demystified the word "the" by drawing a little birdcage around it on the board, to symbolize the fact that it doesn't always follow the rules. She made 5 year-olds feel like the smartest, most invincible people around.
Elementary
Mrs. Elizabeth Calcagni
Burlington, VT
Why: A natural-born teacher, fabulous at teaching everything from reading to multiplication to driving.
Ms. Ruth Carson
Gifted and Talented program
Beverly Elementary School, Beverly Hills, MI
Why: Introduced me to the Apple IIc. Helped me believe that I could take on great challenges and make a big impact in the world.
Mr. Allen Caucett
Art
Maple Dale Elementary School, Fox Point, WI
Why: Made us believe we were all great artists
Miss Carol Frietag
First grade
Beverly Elementary School, Beverly Hills, MI
Why: Always kept us laughing. Finally taught me how to write a proper lower-case r.
Math
Woodlawn Elementary School, Portland, OR
Why: Cares more about teaching ALL children than anyone I've ever known. Thanks Mom.
Clear Creek School, Grass Valley, CA
Why: Plays "Flight of the Bumblebee" on an accordion like nobody's business.
Ms. Jill Kohler
English
Maple Dale Elementary School, Fox Point, WI
Why: Taught us to aim high
Mr. Scott Lay
Clear Creek School, Grass Valley, CA
Why: Because a worthy nemesis demands respect.
Mr. Brian Monroe-Jones
General Studies
Meadowdale Elementary, Lynwood, WA
Why: Incredible teacher who made every day fun and inspired me to excel to my full potential
Mrs. Mary Nelson
Third grade
Station Avenue Elementary School, South Yarmouth, MA
Why: For giving 110% of herself to teaching...every single day
Mrs. Pat Newman
6th Grade English
Brookfield School, Sacramento, CA
Why: She would never, ever settle for less than 200%.
Mrs. Carla Nordstrom
Clear Creek School, Grass Valley, CA
Why: Was the only person in the classroom who ate more chocolate than we did.
Mr. Patrick Russell
Social Studies
Maple Dale Elementary School, Fox Point, WI
Why: Taught us that the world is round and that the United States doesn't always sit at the center
High School
Mr. John Arfwedson
Comparative Literature
Long Beach Polytechnic High School, Long Beach, CA
Why: A kind-hearted, encouraging, extremely bright and inspirational teacher
Mr. Belton
Biology and Environmental Science
South Burlington High School, South Burlington, VT
Why: An incredible storyteller
Ms. Jane Bidwell
English
Ulysses S. Grant High School, Portland, OR
Why: Brilliant, challenging, intimidating but caring; she was both the toughest and the best teacher I ever had
Mrs. Jean Bondurant
English
Meadowdale High School, Lynwood, WA
Why: Hilarious and tough as nails, she made English a subject worth respecting (or else)--and, because of her, I may never misplace a comma again.
Mr. Frank Colasonti, Jr.
Guidance Counselor
Wylie E. Groves High School, Beverly Hills, MI
Why: One of the first openly gay educators in Michigan. Named Michiganian of the Year in 1992 for fighting to keep sexual orientation instruction in secondary curriculum. Showed me that an openly gay man and activist could still be the most popular counselor in the school.
Life Science
Cape Cod Academy, Osterville, MA
Why: For teaching and coaching with enthusiasm and humor
Ms. Nicole Furlonge
English
Lawrenceville School, Lawrenceville, NJ
Why: The most inspiring teacher who drills down to the heart and soul of what it means to be a humanist and scholar. Every class is magical and brings you closer and closer to the sun of truth.
Mr. Tim Gillespie
English
Lake Oswego High School, Portland, OR
Why: The best writer I know, and by far the best editor. Taught me to love books and bookstores. Thanks Dad.
Mr. Miles Heller
American History
South Burlington High School, South Burlington, VT
Why: A teacher with the gift of making American History exciting and relevant to his students.
Mrs. Mattie Hutter
English
Bear River High School, Grass Valley, CA
Why: Was so lovable that she put students in constant danger of calling her "mom."
Mr. David Johnson
Algebra
Nicolet High School, Glendale, WI
Why: Made mathematics a blast
Ms. Diahann Johnson
French Language
St. Andrew's School, Middletown, DE
Why: She makes the study of language a most magical process.
Mr. Hale Keller
English and Speech
Woodside High School, Woodside, CA
Why: Made English and public speaking fun and exciting. We always knew he cared.
Ms. Kiefer
History
Nicolet High School, Glendale, WI
Why: Recognized that those who don't learn history might relive it.
Biology
Woodside High School, Woodside, CA
Why: Gave us wings to fly.
Mr. Russ Kubiak
English Literature
Menlo School, Menlo Park, CA
Why: He threw things at you if you got the answer wrong
Mr. George Mangan
English
Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH
Why: For teaching us to love literature, be tough on our own writing, and appreciate Kerouac.
Mr. Chuck Martell
Physics (and Tennis Coach)
Ulysses S. Grant High School, Portland, OR
Why: Great teacher and mentor. Almost (but not quite) turned me into (a) a science guy and (b) a good tennis player
Mrs. Janet Mason
English
Bear River High School, Grass Valley, CA
Why: Locked us in the room to watch Sense and Sensibility even though it wasn't on the reading list.
Ms. Monica Matouk
English
St. Andrew's School, Middletown, DE
Why: She told everyone on the first day of AP English that English is not something that certain people are good at and others are not; by virtue of being a human living in the world, anyone has the potential to make huge contributions to the world of literature and the humanities.
Mr. John McGiff
Visual Art
St. Andrew's School, Middletown, DE
Why: A brilliant artist and a devoted teacher who knows the power of real, true observation; that is, the art of seeing things even when they are not visible.
Mrs. Natasha Miller
English
Meadowdale High School, Lynwood, WA
Why: First to inspire my interest in English
Mr. David Morehouse
History
Bear River High School, Grass Valley, CA
Why: Not only allowed, but encouraged us to make such historical reenactments as The Russian Revolution: A Musical.
Mrs. Becky Powers
Everything
Home School, El Paso, TX
Why: A wonderful teacher.
Ms. Marilyn Radtke
English
Nicolet High School, Glendale, WI
Why: Loved lit
Ms. Ana Ramirez
Spanish Language
St. Andrew's School, Middletown, DE
Why: She illuminates the world.
Mr. Tad Roach
English
St. Andrew's School, Middletown, DE
Why: Mr. Roach knows what it means to engage both the hearts and the minds of his students. He knows how to feed the beating heart of any community.
Mr. Richard Roy
English
South Burlington High School, South Burlington, VT
Why: An inspiring teacher with a great sense of humor, Mr. Roy opens up the world of poetry and literature to his students.
Mr. Wally Schuster
Math
Long Beach Polytechnic High School, Long Beach, CA
Why: Maintained a wonderful sense of humor and kept his students smiling, even when some of us struggled with the course content
Mr. Douglas Shonk
Pre-Calculus
Wylie E. Groves High School, Beverly Hills, MI
Why: Managed to make trigonometry the best hour of the day. We loved Shonk so much that we threw him a surprise Thanksgiving party called "The Cornucopia of Calculus Thanksgiving Feast."
Mr. William Speers
English
St. Andrew's School, Middletown, DE
Why: The world would be less soulful without Mr. Speers.
College
European History
University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Why: Uses her sense of humor to great effect. Clearly one of the most brilliant people you'll ever meet, but never ever pretentious.
Mr. Brian Andresen
Chemistry
Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Why: For making an organic chemistry lab somehow less initimidating, and for being the most patient mentor I've ever known
Practice of Art
San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
Why: A passionate instructor who is incredibly patient with all of her students.
Ms. Iris Berger
History
SUNY Albany, Albany, NY
European History
University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Why: Exciting and energetic lecturer who projects a genuine love for the smallest details of history.
Professor John Burgess
Philosophy
Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Why: Expertly and compassionately mentors all undergraduates hoping to major in Philosophy.
Ms. Gabi Calvocoressi
Poetry Writing
Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Why: A brilliant poet in her own right, she finds the heart of any young poets words and fears.
Professor Ellen Chances
Slavic Languages and Literatures
Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Why: Gave impassioned lectures about Russian books that excited her students about the subject.
Professor Ze'Eva Cohen
Theater and Dance
Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Why: Asked for a high level of commitment, technique and passion from her students, but gave even more than she required.
Spanish
Foothill College, Los Altos, CA
Why: Didn't think my Spanish accent was atrocious
Chemistry
Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Why: For being the busiest prof. I know and still finding time to teach, advise, and guide. And for making organic chemistry absolutely fascinating.
Professor Sean Kelly
Philosophy
Princeton University (now at Harvard University), Cambridge, MA
Why: Made continental philosophy and philosophy riveting. Encouraged us to actively engage with the material
Biology
Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Why: Supported our social entrepreneurship and inspired us to be our best. One of the best speakers I know.
South Asian Studies
Duke University, Durham, NC
Why: Taught the most unstructured, introspective course I ever experienced. He helped me take meaningful steps forward in life.
Ms. Nadiesda Kizenko
History
SUNY Albany, Albany, NY
United States History
University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Why: A story-teller who uses clear and uncomplicated language to describe very complex concepts.
United States History
University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Why: Provocative story-teller who challenges each and every one of our preconceptions about American history
Professor Beatrice Longuenesse
Philosophy
Princeton Univeristy (now at NYU), New York, NY
Why: Challenged me to bring my analysis to a higher level. Spent countless hours working me independently on my Senior Thesis.
Ms. Kate Mangelsdorf
English
University of Texas, El Paso, El Paso, TX
United States History
University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Why: Engages his students in unique ways, inviting them to think outside of the box.
Mrs. Francine Masiello
Comparative Literature
University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Why: Has a totally inclusive and delightfully irreverent approach to literature
Scandinavian
University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Why: Taught us that the Danish language is beautiful. (On the inside.)
Dr. Ellen Porzig
Human Biology
Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Why: Helped me realize how much a supportive, empowering teacher can change your life.
Dr. Uwe Reinhardt
Economics
Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Why: Brought such humor to his class that even accounting was a sell-out
Professor Gideon Rosen
Philosophy
Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Why: Each semester hundreds of students sign up for his Introduction to Metaphysics and Epistemology. He made a difficult subject approachable and fun.
Scandinavian
University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Why: Flies into a passion when you mention mummified bog bodies.
Professor Diann Sichel
Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Why: Helped each student reach their full potential in technique, and especially in choreography.
Professor Karl Uitti
French and Italian
Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Why: Quite simply a brilliant life-long scholar of romance linguistics and philology who mentored so many of his students.
Professor Bas van Fraassen
Philosophy
Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Why: His passion for philosophy and life was truly infectious.
Ms. Katherine West
English
New Mexico State University
Graduate School
History
Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Why: Made me want to be a historian.
Dean Paul Brest
Law
Stanford Law School, Stanford, CA
Why: Helped us think about how people's lives can be changed by good lawyers.
Ms. DeAngela Burns-Wallace
Higher Education
Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Why: Ms. Burns-Wallace embodies the word "phenomenal." No one is as dedicated, clear-eyed, and giving as she. She's an advocate in every sense of the word, and the world is better with her in it.
Entrepreneurship
Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stanford, CA
Why: Helped us learn how to make thoughtful and ethical decisions on our feet. Encouraged us to seize the day.
Professor David M. Henkin
United States History
University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Why: A wonderful mentor, brilliant mind, and talented lecturer who prompts his students to reexamine the historical roots of modern life and the many aspects of cultural identity that we oftentimes take for granted.
Professor William Lazier
Law
Stanford Law School, Stanford, CA
Why: Pragmatic, witty, intelligent, inspiring, and extremely caring. Empowered us to be our best.
Professor Leon Litwack
United States History
University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Why: My mentor, inspiration, and great friend. A truly wonderful person and a renowned scholar who teaches his students how to stand in the shoes of those who came before them. He has always reminded us that the study of American history is more than an exercise in self-congratulation and nostalgia; it is about the human consequences of the wars (declared and undeclared), politics, legislation, economics, and ideologies that comprise our past.
Professor Margaretta M. Lovell
Art History
University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Why: A professor who challenged me to do some of my best work by pushing me but also believing in me. A scholar who has influenced our understanding of the ways in which art has intersected with some of the most critical issues of the American past: class, inheritance, legacy, gender, and family, to name a few.
Dr. Jack McDonald
Investment management
Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stanford, CA
Why: Mentored every student who passed through his class.
Professor Peter Nemes
Chemistry
San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
Why: An incredibly talented teacher who made biochemical pathways exciting and engaging; his passion and deep understanding of the material came through in every lecture. In addition, he dedicated hours and hours each week to helping students understand difficult material.
Professor Robert Rabin
Law
Stanford Law School, Stanford, CA
Why: A great teacher and explorer of important ideas and principles of law.
Ms. Karen Ransom
Higher Education
Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Why: Ms. Ransom knows how to teach because she has made it a point of learning how to crave learning.
History
Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Why: Inspiring mentor to young teachers in history. Made me wish I was an Africanist.
Professor Todd Sauke
Physics
San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
Why: An expert teacher who dedicated himself to helping students succeed.
Professor Buzz Thompson
Law
Stanford Law School, Stanford, CA
Why: Made environmental law come alive.
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