Teachers have long been the scapegoats of the entertainment industry. They are go to villains for comedic and horrific pieces. However, television has provided some examples of true educators and role models this list collects the best teachers in the medium in no particular order.
Mr. Collins (the late Steve Gilborn) was Kevin Arnold's stern math teacher. The character could easily have been a caricature of an authority figure. Instead, he was a man who continued with his job even when under duress and expected the best from his students. The understated episode "Goodbye" is the character's finest and may well be the series finest, as Kevin learns that expectations aren't a bad thing and that teachers are humans.
The beloved series that functions just as much as a critique of high school and later collegiate culture as it does as a supernatural adventure features two teachers who literally give everything they have for their students. Anthony Stewart Head's Giles is the dream mentor: reliable, but still able to relate to his young charge. Jenny Calendar, as portrayed by Robia LaMorte, faces the consequences of trying to help the same student and her vampiric lover and pays with her life. That she was also Giles' love interest adds to the tragedy.
Howard Hesseman's Charlie More is the example of a character that is difficult to pull off in a work. He is the cool teacher. In fact, it is as if Dr. Johnny Fever decided to go into education. Charlie works with gifted students and makes you wish you had him in high school.
Mrs. Grotke from Disney's Recess
Allyce Beasley's Mrs. Grotke has the distinction of being the only animated character on this list as well as being the only elementary school teacher. She is the young teacher of T.J. and the gang and serves as a sharp contrast to Mrs. Finster who rules with an iron fist. She is the archetypical elementary teacher frill of love and warmth and inspiring her students to occasionally not mind coming in from recess.
Mr. Collins The Wonder Years.
Mr. Collins (the late Steve Gilborn) was Kevin Arnold's stern math teacher. The character could easily have been a caricature of an authority figure. Instead, he was a man who continued with his job even when under duress and expected the best from his students. The understated episode "Goodbye" is the character's finest and may well be the series finest, as Kevin learns that expectations aren't a bad thing and that teachers are humans.
Rupert Giles and Jenny Calendar from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
The beloved series that functions just as much as a critique of high school and later collegiate culture as it does as a supernatural adventure features two teachers who literally give everything they have for their students. Anthony Stewart Head's Giles is the dream mentor: reliable, but still able to relate to his young charge. Jenny Calendar, as portrayed by Robia LaMorte, faces the consequences of trying to help the same student and her vampiric lover and pays with her life. That she was also Giles' love interest adds to the tragedy.
Charlie Moore from Head of the Class
Howard Hesseman's Charlie More is the example of a character that is difficult to pull off in a work. He is the cool teacher. In fact, it is as if Dr. Johnny Fever decided to go into education. Charlie works with gifted students and makes you wish you had him in high school.
Mrs. Grotke from Disney's Recess
Allyce Beasley's Mrs. Grotke has the distinction of being the only animated character on this list as well as being the only elementary school teacher. She is the young teacher of T.J. and the gang and serves as a sharp contrast to Mrs. Finster who rules with an iron fist. She is the archetypical elementary teacher frill of love and warmth and inspiring her students to occasionally not mind coming in from recess.
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