Teacher Resources: Shmoop for Teachers, Librarians, and Professors

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 and 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.

Ms. Jan Gillespie

Math, Woodlawn Elementary School, Portland, OR
Why: Cares more about teaching ALL children than anyone I've ever known. Thanks Mom.

Mrs. Patsy Hannebrink

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.

Mr. Aaron Crowell

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.

Mrs. Arlene Kolber

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

Dr. Margaret Anderson

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

Ms. Marlene Angeja

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

Dr. Thomas Brady

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.

Ms. Patricia Crespo-Martin

Spanish, Foothill College, Los Altos, CA
Why: Didn't think my Spanish accent was atrocious

Professor Justin Du Bois

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

Professor Donald Kennedy

Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Why: Supported our social entrepreneurship and inspired us to be our best. One of the best speakers I know.

Professor Satti Khanna

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

Dr. Kerwin Klein

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.

Dr. Leon Litwack

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

Dr. Waldo Martin

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

Mrs. Karen M¿ller

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.

Mrs. Karin Sanders

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

Prof. Barton Bernstein

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.

Mr. Irv Grousbeck

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.

Prof. Richard Roberts

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.