Job Discussion Forums

[zakiah25]

Can you remember having any teachers who had a good sense of humour when you were a student?
I can always remember our English Mistress who walked into the classroom on the first day and wrote her name on the board, "Miss PRIDDLE" and underlined the "R" and said, "make sure you don't leave this out"!

[Wolf]

There have been a few.

My high school physics teacher demonstrated the laws of motion with fischer price toys. Our exam qeustions all had to do with Batman. One had Batman, Robin, the Joker, and 300kg of TNT on a see - saw. Another one was what happens to a Honda Civic when it collides head on with a tractor-trailer.

My World Literature Prof (English Gent - RAF during WWII) would always insist that we read for "pleasure." His English properness while reading some *ahem* intersting Latin love poems was a hoot (there'd be 2 lines left in the poem - two rather lewd lines - and we were told to finishreading at home. )

My high school English teacher. We studied "The Lord of the Flies" by William Golding (spelling). Then we wathced the movie. I told her that the riotious scenes reminded me of the corridors before/after/between classes (remember this was an overcrowed high school). She said,"Hmm. Yes, I would have to agree." without batting an eye. Not roll - in - the isles funny, but thoughtful. She was also my French teacher - and one of my first examples of a second language teacher. She also warned us against becoming "marginal barbarians," and to never give up on our dreams.

My senior seminar profeessor. University begins in September in Canada, but October in the UK. He ordered our books from the UK, and they were 1 month late. He was livid. When we finally did get them, and asked how much they were, he said "Oh, they're free. When I kick @$$ I kick @$$." He was one of the contributors to the texbook.

My creative writer/American literature prof (an American) once remarked "What a great life it would be if only it didn't suck."

The last one I can think of here is my philosophy professor, who used Star Trek and Seinfield to demonstrate Taoism.

[Ann]

It's so nice to hear positive examples of teachers. Lately, all I've been hearing about education and educators are complaints, criticism, and a marked display of apathy.
I can't recall any particularly humorous events.
Our Biology teacher was a riot. She didn't bother to teach us the chapter on reproduction and requested that we study it at home. HA! No wonder I was clueless all my adolescent years. It wasn't a good kind of thing that happened though. We were tested on it and no one (except the boys) had bothered to study that chapter.

[johnslat]

When I cast my mind back, back through the mists of time, back to the ancient days of yore when I was on the other side of the desk, I was disappointed that I couldn't recall any teachers who were screamingly, Robin Williams-type funny. But I could easily remember the truly good ones, who often WERE also funny, but not in an anecdotal, quotable way. The really good ones clearly loved their work, knew it to the bone and were able to transmit both the excitement they felt and the subject matter itself to us students in a way that seemed effortless. They made learning thrilling; they were, in a word, inspiring. I only hope that I have had that same effect on some on my students.
Regards,
John
P.S. Heck, I still remember even their NAMES, and I'm usually a " I recall the face, but . . . . . " kind of guy.

[Capergirl]

My junior high science teacher was goofy funny. He would be doing a lesson about drugs and he would do this truly hysterical impression of a person who was stoned...Robin Williams type stuff...very comical. Another junior high teacher--my health teacher--was pretty funny, too. A lot of the time he didn't even mean to be, he was just naturally funny.

As for funny "weird", I had a university professor who didn't seem to have all his ducks in a row. The course was about Roman and Greek mythology but ended up being a philosophy class most of the time. Socrates fan, he was. Prof: "What's this?" Student: "A chair." Prof (putting chair on his head): "Now what is it?" Student (trying not to laugh): "It's a chair on your head." Prof (grinning victoriously): "No it's not, it's a hat. Use your imagination." I always wondered if he ended up seeking professional help after that. (The prof, not the student. )

I use a lot of humour with my students. My UAE guys in particular seem to think I'm a five-star comic. (Like my science teacher, I'm a goofy impressionist. ) It does help to break up the lessons with some humour now and then...the students seem more interested in the classes for the fact that we can joke a bit and have fun.