Letâs face it, anyone who works in a school (or goes to one) meets a cast of interesting characters. That said, teachers from books, television shows, and movies hold a special place in our hearts. Letâs examine some of our most influential:
The 5 Worst Fictional Teachers (in no particular order):
1. Professor Dolores Umbridge, The Harry Potter Series
This power monger exudes a frighteningly coy and cuddly persona. However, itâs nothing more than a mask, and the power behind her cutesy voice almost becomes nails on the chalkboard. Her belief in theory over practicality is at best annoying and at worst entirely fruitless. Besides that, she seems to have no conscience or connection with the students. Punishment and retaliation is the name of her game, evident in how she treats Harry Potter for his mentioning of Lord Voldemort. Her response? Etching Potterâs words into his own hand.
2. The Economics Teacher, Ferris Bueller
Bueller⊠Bueller⊠Thereâs not a role call that canât be made without recollection of the monotonous Ben Steinâs unnamed character in the Ferris Bueller movie. The droning just keeps on going, and any teacher whoâs ever had a lecture go south can compare themselves to this guy as a baseline of mediocrity. Who would agree that scaffolding, differentiated instruction, or even social interaction isnât present in that class? Anyone? Anyone?
3. Ms. Othmar, Peanuts
Her lessons plans and pedagogy lack impact to the extent that she essentially doesnât even speak a language. Enter the trombone: Mopp mopp wopp mopp mopp.
4. Mr. Herbert Garrison, South Park
Deep down, Mr. Garrison has a heart for the students, but itâs no joke to say that not only is South Park Elementaryâs teacher toxic, the creators of the show have called him a âwalking soap opera.â Heâs racist, heâs had several psychological problems, and any one of his stand-alone comments would get him fired. Or elected President of the United States.
5. Ms. Agatha Trunchbull, Matilda
They say teachers have seven seconds to make a first impression. Ms. Trunchbull doesnât hedge at that opportunity to make an overwhelming impression of dominance. She summons all the students to the middle while smashing all the desks against the walls to begin her introduction. Later, the crass head of the class hammer-throws Amanda Thripp by the pigtails. And she looks like a prison guard.
Honorable Mention: Ms. Viola Swamp, Miss Nelson Is Missing!
CREDIT: James Marshall
The 5 Best Fictional Teachers (in no particular order):
1. Mr. Gabe Kotter, Welcome Back, Kotter
Itâs not too often the class clown returns to his dingy high school to teach the worst of the worst. Itâs even less often that he goes back and makes an impact. Kotter is able to make social studies fun and relevant, taking his subject and his relationships seriously without doing the same about himself. This type of story would be replicated by many other movies and television series, which is what lands Kotter on the list before them.
2. Ms. Valerie Frizzle, The Magic School Bus
Kids who grew up in the late 90s have an emotional attachment to the PBS animated series, but the books captivated their audience with tales of this traveling classroom for nearly 25 years. âThe Frizâ is stern and yet eccentric. She seems to know what every student is doing at all times (âeyes in the back of the headâ while driving a bus? Impressive!). This elementary teacher is also well-versed in a variety of content and curriculum. Best of allâeach lesson is a literal journey.
3. Mr. John Keating, Dead Poets Society
Any teacher whoâs looked at their textbook with disdain has wished they had the fortitude to tell students to just rip out the parts that have no relativity to the joy of learning. In a school of stuffy academics, Keating moves through the hall with grace and questioning authority, encouraging his students to find passion in poetry and theater. When we know itâs time to close down the classroom, we all want our kids to stand on the desks and yell, âO Captain, My Captain!â
Professor Minerva McGonagall, The Harry Potter Series
If McGonagall taught you in class, you might not love her then, but youâd love her in all the years thereafter. She is, like many others on this list, fully invested in her students and school. Sheâs powerful and yet poised. Sheâs intensely knowledgeable in her field (transfiguration), but sheâs gifted enough to apply her lessons for students to learn at their level, no matter where they are. McGonagall doesnât hedge from playing office politics, standing up against challengers to the things she loves.
Mr. George Feeny, Boy Meets World
Mr. Feeny is something each one of us wishes we had while growing up. A neighbor first, a stalwart teacher second, and an apt administrator third, Feeny is a foundation of learning. Heâs able to handle problems with humor, humility, and shameâdependent on the problem. Heâs âold school,â but he gets results. When this television series closed, he was given the last monologue, and said, very simply, to his students: âbelieve in yourselves, dream, try, do good.â It obviously had impact enough on the main character, whoâs now a teacher himself in the spin-off Girl Meets World.
Honorable Mention: Ms. Sharon Norbury, Mean Girls
Who do you rank as your top 5 best and worst fictional teachers? Let us know by commenting below.
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