The impact of those special teachers in our formative years is often felt through all of our lives. We will never forget the examples set by teachers, life lessons delivered, and philosophies communicated. Those relationships should forever be cherished and celebrated.
While not quite as meaningful as those real life mentors, sometimes we can find great examples of teachers and teaching through what we experience in stories and on screen. With that spirit in mind, we have put together a list of the great teachers we have loved seeing on screen.
Mr Bergstrom – The Simpsons
Voiced by Dustin Hoffman in an early episode from The Simpsons, Mr Bergstrom (or Mr. “Nerdstrom” and Mr. “Boogerstrom,” if you would prefer) was a substitute teacher looking after Lisa Simpson’s class. He was filling in for Ms Hoover (possibly out with a bout of Lyme Disease).
Bergstrom was a sophisticated and charismatic teacher who was dedicated to his job. His excellence as a teacher was amplified in the heart and mind of his student Lisa, who craved similar attributes in her own father.
Mr Collins – The Wonder Years
One of the stand-out episodes of the late 80s / early 90s family show The Wonder Years was an episode titled Good-bye, in which the main character on the show, Kevin Arnold, has a falling out with his algebra teacher Mr Collins.
Kevin is angered that Mr Collins, who had been tutoring him to help him reach his potential as an A-grade student, took some time off from his job. Kevin responds by deliberately flunking his test. While he initially feels proud about the “work” he has done, he feels guilty and returns to school on the Monday to apologise. He discovers that Mr Collins had died over the weekend and that Kevin’s failed exam could not be found. A final gift from his teacher, enabling Kevin to turn in his A-grade test.
Charlie Brown’s teacher
Sometimes it takes us many years to properly appreciate the mentors in our life. We may simply not hear their words clearly at the time.
Mr Kotter – Welcome Back Kotter
Once a burn-out student himself, Gabe Kotter has returned back to the high school he had attended as a kid, now working as a teacher. Assigned a motley crew of students who call themselves “Sweathogs,” Kotter befriends them and does what he can to stimulate their interest in learning.
It isn’t entirely clear that he was a good teacher. But none of the boys flunked out or went to prison, so maybe that was a job well done.
Matt Bashir – The Principal
Okay, this one is a massive cheat as Matt Bashir is a school principal and not technically designated as a teacher. But, throughout the four-part TV series, he provides guidance and supports the education of his students, so we can allow this one.
First time principal, Bashir works to reform a troubled boys’ high school where friction forms with students, staff, and the wider community. The show has been criticised for having a protagonist seen to be a bit too perfect, making too many of the right decisions in a complicated education environment. But, maybe there are some TV fantasies we deserve to see on our screens.
Dorothy Zbornak – The Golden Girls
80s sitcom The Golden Girls is well-remembered for its cast of sassy older ladies dating and relating in Florida. But what is often overlooked with the show is that three of the four are still professionals and are, quite often, struggling to get by on limited income.
Bea Arthur’s character Dorothy is a teacher with 30 years of experience. During the course of the show she is primarily working as a substitute teacher, where she has earned the nickname “Attila the Sub.” She also takes on work during the show teaching night classes to adults returning to education.
While we don’t get to see her at work much during the show, it is important to acknowledge the depiction of a TV character who is passionate about her work, but has also sacrificed income and later-age financial security in pursuit of this passion.
Rob Morrison and Deane Hutton – The Curiosity Show
This is a TV show we desperately need back on our TV screens. From 1972 through to 1990, Australian kids would get home from school in time to see more lessons in science, math, and technology thanks to Channel Nine’s The Curiosity Show.
Across 500 episodes produced out of the Channel Nine studios in South Australia, hosts Rob Morrison and Deane Hutton exposed kids to practical lessons around the boring stuff they learned at school every day. It may not have been “cool” television, but generations of kids grew up with it and more than a few of us learned quite a bit that we then applied to our own lives.
We would love to hear from you about your favourite TV teachers. Please, leave us a comment below.
