In April we had a birthday party at home for our 8-year old. The bell rang so I opened the door, and there stood my old History teacher, Mrs. S. She was dropping off her granddaughter. I gushed oh-hello-agains; she politely pretended to remember me.Mrs. S was a combustible dragon of a teacher, breathing hellfire and brimstone into every lesson. And I mean that in a good way. She brought History to life. She awed and inspired us teenage kids, usually sleepy after a big stodgy lunch and too many late nights watching 'Are You Being Served?' The class trouble-makers were crushed, and we had to pay attention or pay the consequences. I loved her lessons.
I remember Mrs. S being in full theatrical flow one afternoon, bellowing her lesson about some bloody battle or queen-slaying king; captivating us, gesticulating wildly, jet black hair bobbing up and down in agreement. There was a storm outside and the thunder and lightening made her story even more dramatic. Suddenly she stopped and froze. She stared motionless out of the window at the rain pouring down from the heavens, and the class froze too. Nobody moved. Silence. And then she said, "Damn, I've left my washing on the line".
That is hilarious. Gotta love teachers.
ReplyDeleteBloody marvellous. At least you didn't have the O level history teacher of mine who, even though we were doing 1875 to the present day said, "Oh we won't do Mussolini- he was a nasty man". And so out of the window went about three options on the exam paper!
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love the great characters in teaching? My old English teacher threw an essay back at me shouting "Too short, you lazy trout!" - she was right!
ReplyDeleteProving even historial genius's have to worry about domesticity! That was a great story... it must be so weird coming back 'full circle'?
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Sounds like she was a teacher that will always be remember for be a good teacher.
ReplyDeleteExpatmum, Presumably you didn't do Hitler either then?
ReplyDeleteWorking Mum, teachers could get away with that stuff a generation ago.
Girl With the Mask, yes it is ... very!
omgosh i just had a good bit of a laugh at this. thx so much for popping by and leaving me a supportive comment.
ReplyDeletebtw i see you're a fellow scorpio...i think i like you already! lol :)
Miss Kay was mine - a Miss Jean Brodie if ever there was one. 'Now gels, close your eyes and come with me to Tunis.....'
ReplyDeleteGreat story. Excellent! I had a few teachers who inspired me like that. It's hard to forget.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for popping by my blog to offer your words of wisdom. They are much appreciated.
Nothing like a storm to bring a dragon back in line!
ReplyDeleteWe had a slightly dotty teacher who could be coaxed into talking about anything other than what she was supposed to talk about. I remember one English lesson was taken over by us getting her to talk about her view on "hats"! Its a wonder we learnt anything & she would have been chucked out today!
Fantastic!
ReplyDeleteReally trying not to laugh too loud and wake everybody up!
I think I will do a post on my teachers. Sorry if I'm nicking your idea but the muse has struck - and it's the middle of the night for you lot so no one can beat me to it!!!
ReplyDeleteLove that last line! Even teachers are human...
ReplyDeleteLovely to get your comment round at mine. Can't believe you used to live near Macclesfield - 20 mins away from me and my eldest 2 girls are at school there! In fact, Gawsworth is their House at school, and, in an over-zealous teachery sort of moment, we went to visit the real Gawsworth House last year to give it all some context.
I'd love to know where you are down south, as I've a feeling it might be close to where I'm from originally - and parents still live - but I may be wrong...(not sure where I've got that impression from - was it a post of yours I read a while back? Hmm, muse, muse).
Also empathised with your recent absence from blogging - I, too, have a mountainous backlog of admin and 'life-sorting' which needs to be done after years of moving around from country to country and squeezing in builders and babies (no link there, promise!) at the same time with husband largely 'absent' through work. It can be tough, eh? Not to mention lonely.
That is priceless ... I am so glad you're back in blogland... have I said that before? ...
ReplyDelete:-Daryl
that's really funny, i giggled out loud! i was swept along with you then! you should send that to her, i'm sure she would love to read it!
ReplyDeletePigx
Love the description ``combustible dragon''.!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd that is another mother. Without a doubt. Only mothers think like this.
ReplyDeleteWhat memories for you!
Thanks for coming to mine. Hope you enjoy it!
Funny how teachers all seem ancient when you're a kid. You only realise much later that some of them were barely out of their teens. As you say, they're always nice and pretend to remember you though!
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