Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
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The following are 13 teachers from pop culture you can't help but love.
1. Ferris Bueller's economics teacher, "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"
"Bueller? Bueller?" Who can forget the monotone economics teacher from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"? This teacher plows through his lesson despite creating a class full of bored, sleeping and drooling students. Even if his students are struggling to stay engaged, viewers can't help but enjoy watching his painfully boring class.
Photo credit: Giphy
2. John Kimble, "Kindergarten Cop"
As an undercover cop, John Kimble (aka The Party Pooper) must quickly learn how to handle a kindergarten class while searching for a murderer at-large. He comes to discover his true passion is teaching.
Photo credit: Giphy
3. Mr. Feeny, "Boy Meets World"
Mr. Feeny from "Boy Meets World" is known for being equal parts strict disciplinarian and giver of warm advice. He goes along for the ride, dealing with the frequent hijinks of his students. Of course being neighbors with some of those students can create issues.
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4. Ms. Frizzle, "The Magic School Bus"
Armed with a magic school bus, Valerie Frizzle can do anything. She's been known to shrink her students, get them swallowed by a classmate, turn them into animals and natural elements, along with other seemingly crazy ideas for a school lesson: "Seat belts, everyone!"
Photo credit: Giphy
5. Melvin Tolson, "The Great Debaters"
Melvin Tolson, debate teacher from "The Great Debaters", teaches his students to boldly stand up for what is right, no matter the cost. Based on a true story, Tolson must also navigate the turmoil of the social and political issues of the day.
Photo credit: RottenTomatoes.com
6. Ms. Beadle , "Little House on the Prairie"
Sweet and lovable Ms. Beadle from "Little House on the Prairie" teaches her students in a small, one-roomed Walnut Grove school. Known for wearing lemon verbena perfume, dealing diplomatically with the dreaded Nelly Olsen, and being a beautiful, glasses-wearing single woman.
Photo credit: HGD.com
7. Miss Othmar, "Peanuts"
"Wah Wah Wah." You may not recognize this teacher's name, but you probably recognize her nonspecific speech. Teacher to the Peanuts gang, this woman is never seen and never understood to viewers, but her voice carries a heavy sense of nostalgia.
8. Eugene Simonet, "Pay It Forward"
This teacher from "Pay It Forward" challenges his students to "think of an idea to change our world and put it into action!" Thanks to a student who takes this assignment very seriously, Simonet soon finds himself invested in the student's plans.
Photo credit: Listal.com
9. Minerva McGonagall, "Harry Potter"
Professor McGonagall is from the Harry Potter book series and movie franchise. Being strict and authoritative with a frequent motherly flair, no witch would be better as Head of Gryffindor House or to handle the adventure-prone students under her charge.
Photo credit: Giphy
10. Mr. Ray, "Finding Nemo"
Perhaps the coolest teacher below sea level, Mr. Ray gives his students an up-close experience with life on the bottom of the ocean. Jelly fish, sea horses and clown fish are just a few of the types of students that get to enjoy Mr. Ray's musical lessons in "Finding Nemo."
Photo credit: Empireonline.com
11. Mrs. Puff, "SpongeBob SquarePants"
Mrs. Puff, a teacher at an underwater boating school, gets the award for perseverance. With a student like SpongeBob SquarePants, it isn't surprising that she would have to deal with a few mishaps. Wrecked boats, incarceration and countless failed driving courses are the banes of her existence.
Photo credit: Giphy
12. John Keating, "Dead Poets Society"
"O Captain, my Captain." John Keating from "Dead Poets Society" teaches his students to seize the day. Though his methods may not be typical, there is no doubt that he feels passionately about what he teaches and the genuine connection he has with his students.
Photo credit: Giphy
13. Miss Honey, "Matilda"
How could a teacher show more devotion to her students than by adopting one of them? Miss Honey from "Matilda" does just that, rescuing Matilda from an isolated, mostly uncaring, crooked family. Dealing with Matilda's unusual powers turns out to be just a small part of the job.
Photo credit: Giphy
While we enjoy watching these loveable pop culture teachers, we realistically hope to find educators we can relate to and learn from in our lives. We have so many options and avenues for working with educators, especially as the availability for online education grows.
With Utah Online School, students can enroll in a program that fits with the pace they need and work with teachers who can make just as big of an impact as those loveable educators we all remember.
