My Favorite Teacher

My Favorite Teacher

There are an abundance of smart teachers, and plenty of nice teachers, but there are only a few teachers that I would consider great, and only one that I would call my favorite; the one that stands out for me is my math teacher, Mr. Hibell.  What makes him so great, you ask?  I’ll share with you three key attributes that put him at the top of my list: he has a love of learning, he’s enthusiastic and caring, and he respects and supports his students.

First, Mr. Hibell inspires me to do my best.  He has a clear command of the subject matter, but it’s his passion for learning and willingness to share his knowledge that makes me listen intently to every lesson.  He incorporates various strategies that keep the class material interesting and fun.  He doesn’t have a fixed approach to teaching.  If it’s clear that we aren’t understanding the material, he rips up the script and takes a new approach, which may mean drawing a concept on the white board, pairing us up with a buddy, or working with us one-on-one.  His love of learning is infectious and he inspires me to dig deeper and reach further when learning a new concept, taking a test, or thinking about my future.

Another terrific reason Mr. Hibell made my list of all-time great teachers is that he’s warm, caring, enthusiastic and accessible – not just in my eyes, but to everyone in the class.  His mantra is “If I’m not having fun, then neither are you.”  He starts the lesson by telling a story or a joke, and connects with students by playfully calling them out; he even takes out pretend lightsabers when making a dramatic point.  However, what I’m most impressed with is that he takes time out if his day to help in the math lab, come in early or stay late to accommodate a student’s schedule, or meet one-on-one.  He makes the time even though he has two young kids at home and coaches the boy’s track team at the high school; he’s even working with a past student who is now in college – now that’s dedication!