Describe Your Favorite Teacher When You Were Your Protagonist's Age


Jeannine Garsee, BEFORE, AFTER, AND SOMEBODY IN BETWEEN (Bloomsbury,  Summer 2007)

In high school it was Mr. Peebles who taught Stagecraft and Motion Picture Study, among other things. He was the first teacher I ever had who really seemed like a "normal" person, and he was so passionate about his love for the stage and cinema, it was impossible not to be caught up in that enthusiasm. In my novel, I tried to convey this same passion through Martha's music teacher, Mr. Hopewell.

Tiffany Trent, IN THE SERPENT'S COILS (Mirrorstone/Wizards of the Coast, Fall 2007)

When I was Corrine's age (15), I think my favorite teacher was Ms. Arnold, who was our high school creative writing teacher.  I think she probably had Parkinson's or some other type of palsy that made her shake a lot, but as insensitive kids will do, many rumors were circulated as to the reason for her mannerisms and quirkiness.  I don't remember anything specific about her methods or any exercises we did in her class.  I just remember being encouraged and made to feel as though my writing was worthwhile, no matter what I wrote.  She always give me fabulous books as Christmas presents--poetry anthologies, Taoist philosophy, whatever my flighty fancy was taken with at the moment.  The nicest thing she did for us, though, was to allow us to eat lunch in her classroom.  Our high school was pretty scary; I narrowly avoided being beaten up several times by roving gangs of girls.  So, she offered us a safe haven in the storm.  She didn't have to do that, but it was so nice to have a peaceful lunch with close friends.  We still send Christmas cards to each other with annual updates.  It was really fun to send her a Hallowmere postcard!

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Laura Bowers, BEAUTY SHOP FOR RENT, Harcourt, May 1, 2007


My protagonist is fifteen, but I'm going to cheat a little and pick Mr. Thompson, one of my seventh grade teachers.  He was my favorite because he made each student feel special and not just part of an anonymous herd. 

One day, he pulled me aside to give me a book about stunt horses used in the movies that he thought I'd enjoy, since I was a total horse nut.  I was also a bit of a loner at the time, and the fact that he singled me out to give me this book made me feel so special. 

I no longer have the book--maybe it got lost during one of my many moves, but I've never forgotten his kind gesture!


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