Sunday, July 23, 2006

100 Cool Teachers in Children's Lit

Okay so I am totally loving the lists from Jen Robinson's Book Page blog--Cool Boys from Kid Lit and Cool Girls From Children's Literature. I loved reading over these lists and thinking about these great characters we love.

I soo loved the idea that I started thinking. Could we come up with 100 Cool Teachers from Children's Lit? What do you think? So many teachers in books are these stereotypic, mean, dumpy people who are worn out. So, let's start putting together a list of 100 Cool Teacher's in Children's Lit. I am going to start with Great Aunt Arizona from MY GREAT AUNT ARIZONA by Gloria Houston. I also think The Giver in THE GIVER is a cool teacher. I would also like to add Mrs. Granger from FRINDLE by Andrew Clements. She is cool in disguise. We're looking for thoughtful teachers who understand kids and learning and are active, intelligent people who love their work. Do you think we can find 100? We are taking suggestions from readers!

Check the list in the sidebar to see if your favorite is already there! As of today (12/31/10), we have ALMOST 150 cool teachers! Keep 'em coming!

25 comments:

  1. Miss Farley, Rose's teacher, in Caddy Ever After by Hilary McKay

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  2. Anonymous12:43 PM

    Thanks for linking to my lists! I'm glad that you have enjoyed them.

    As for cool teachers, how about Jo March, when at Plumfield in Little Men and Jo's Boys? Also Anne Shirley in Anne of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery. And, for a newer example, Mr. Brunner / Chiron from The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (he's Percy's Latin teacher at the start of the book, before being revealed as Camp Half Blood Activities Director later in the book). And you simply must have Miss Honey from Matilda by Roald Dahl. She's a wonderful teacher.

    I'll come back if I think of others. I hope that you succeed in getting your list to 100.

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  3. Anonymous4:07 PM

    Laura Ingalls!

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  4. Anne Shirley!
    Miss Jewls!
    Miss Nelson!

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  5. Anonymous1:15 AM

    Miss Agnes from The Year of Miss Agnes, for sure.
    R.

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  6. Miss Stacey from the Anne books:-)

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  7. Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School Bus by Joanna Cole

    I'm going to think some more, but that one really stood out.

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  8. Oooh, wait, I did think of another one right after I hit post.

    Professor Lupin from The Prisoner of Azkaban in the HP series by JK Rowling. I'm sure there are others, but he is my favorite.

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  9. Stuart Little.
    And Miss Parker from Caddie Woodlawn.

    Wonderful idea for a list -- I'll be checking back to see the other additions!

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  10. Merlin in The Sword in the Stone by T.H. White.
    Mr. Isobe in Crow Boy by Taro Yashima
    Mr. Ratburn in the Arthur books by Marc Brwon
    Miss Grey in the Betsy books by Carolyn Haywood

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  11. Ms. Finney in The Cat Ate My Gymsuit by Paula Danzinger.
    Mrs. Olinski in The View From Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg.

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  12. Anonymous6:12 PM

    Miss Nelson (is Missing).

    The teacher in Understood Betsy. (I'll have to look up her name.)

    Ramona Quimby's kindergarten teacher, Miss Binney, was it?

    Miss Fowler, the English teacher in the Betsy-Tacy high school books (also appears in Emily of Deep Valley).

    Mr. Carpenter, the teacher in L. M. Montgomery's Emily series, is flawed but has shining moments (as when he recognizes Emily's writing talent).

    Miss Stacy, from Anne of Green Gables, was pretty wonderful (very Charlotte Mason-ish, actually). I saw Anne mentioned above but don't recall whether Miss Stacy was there. (Whoops, just scrolled back up and yes, she has been mentioned!)

    Chrysanthemum's teacher. Oh, and even better, the teacher in Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse! I can't remember his name.

    I feel like I'm missing someone very obvious and important! I'll come back if I remember who...

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  13. Madge Bettany and Miss Annersley from Elinor Brent Dyer's Chalet School series. Better known in the UK than the US, but definitely should be in there.

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  14. Anonymous1:21 PM

    Who could miss the COOLEST of the COOL..Mr. Slinger from Lily's Plastic Purse.by K.Henkes. WOW!

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  15. Anonymous1:45 PM

    Mrs. Coleman-Levin from the Zack Files series by Dan Greenburg. She is totally cool.

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  16. How about Miss "Pointy" (Miss Poitier) from Sahara Special?

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  17. Hey Franki and Mary Lee,

    As a first year teacher a few years back I really enjoyed "First Day Jitters", "First Year Letters" and "Last Day Blues" by Julie Danneberg. The children in my class did too. The spin on First Day Jitters had them laughing. My vote is in for Mrs. Hartwell!

    Patty

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  18. Miss Honey in Matilda!

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  19. Anonymous12:57 PM

    Mr. Slinger in Kevin Henkes's Lilly books is SO cool. Also, Mrs. Twinkle, the wonderful music teacher in Henkes's "Chrysanthemum," saves the day. Harr Allard/Jams Marshall's Miss Nelson is awesome, too, of course.

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  20. Anonymous7:06 PM

    how about the teacher in THE DOT? We never know the teacher's name, we just know the impact of believing in the children.
    Josie

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  21. I'm partial to Mrs. McBloom from Mrs. McBloom, Clean Up Your Classroom! by Kelly DiPucchio and Guy Francis and Mr. Sam from Kate and M.Sarah Kilse's "REgarding the" series (Regrading the Fountain, Regarding the Sink, REgarding the Trees).

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  22. Anonymous3:07 AM

    how about Mrs. Dunphrey in Don't You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey?

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  23. I would like to nominate Ida Bidson in THE SECRET SCHOOL by Avi.

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  24. The teacher in MY NAME IS YOON is a fine example of a caring educator.

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  25. Anonymous11:24 AM

    Do you have the Mr Majeika books in america? I'd love Mr Majeika as a teacher.

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