1-866-492-5336 in the U.S.
International Inquiries
In celebration of National Teacher Appreciation Week, Walden University staff share memories of their favorite teachers and the impact these teachers have had on their lives. To these teachers and to all educators, thank you for your dedication to the teaching profession.
|
"Mrs. Gonson treated our senior English class like a group of adults, even those of us who didn't deserve such treatment. Her expectations of us were high, which made everyone want to meet them. She also instilled a great love of reading. She was a terrific teacher."
“She spent every day working hard to know each student. We all knew we had something special to contribute to every activity; everyone felt important.”
“Mr. "C" was the reason I got into education. He led by example and was able to get the best out of every student.”
“She influenced me because she was always very supportive and understanding. She also gave a lot of great feedback in ways I could improve my work but at the same time praised me for trying hard.”
“Dr. Harvey was very interactive in the course and was willing to give us help in any way that we needed. Her comments helped me to write better papers, which was great for me since this was my first class in 15 years. Her comments let me know that she cared and wanted to see me do my best.”
“Mr. Zuger brought excitement to the classroom and to learning. Teaching 15–18-year-olds deserves [applause]itself, but when his students excel as a result of that commitment, it deserves a standing ovation.”
“I have several favorite teachers. My first is my first grade teacher, Mrs. Box, because she is the one who taught me to read and encouraged me to continue reading. My second is Ms. Granados, who taught me history and influence me to obtain my degree in history, and my third is Mrs. Chacon. She taught me things about English and Literature that influenced me to continue reading. She was teaching us items that they were teaching in high school. But, my most influential and inspiring teacher is my father.”
“He was thorough, available for help and for communication, understanding, and extremely knowledgeable. The best course by far that I have taken at Walden, and the best professor.”
“Dr. Ward gave [me] the structure and support to question and research issues that I felt strongly about, regardless of how taboo it may be. I appreciated his tolerance to allow me to think outside the box, [and] debate when I did not understand and/or agree with the content of his lecture. It is his example in the classroom that allows me to be the instructor I am today. Thanks Dr. Ward!!!”
“She was so supportive in that she understood and celebrated the differences in each student. She was very down-to-earth too.”
“Ms. Tatum recognized that I had a problem writing and spent countless hours helping and encouraging me to learn the art of writing. For that I will always be grateful to her!” “She was kind and encouraging.” “Mr. Barber went above and beyond by coming to my house every week to tutor me when I had broken my femur and could no longer attend school. He cared enough to not only tutor me for free but drive an hour out of his way to get to my house. Because of him, I didn't need to repeat the second grade!”
“He taught me not by books, but by example, to be the person I knew I wanted to be.” “Professionally, as a senior faculty member he nurtured my teaching skills, from organizational to philosophical aspects, he shared all. Personally, he offered insight and taught me lifelong lessons such as interacting with people and learning how to really listen to others.... I use his methods every day with my students and everyone I meet.”
“Coach Hunt taught me how important it was to have a strong body in addition to a strong mind. His influence is with me to this day.” “She instilled the love of learning [in me] and introduced me to worlds only imagined at that age.…”
“Miss Burwell taught me that it was OK to be who you are even if it was different from everyone else. She had her own sense of style and a strong love of who she was as a woman. She was stylish, beautiful, intelligent, hardworking, honest, and cool!” “Even though I was the only girl in the class, he made me feel smarter than the guys and proud of my accomplishments.”
“She believed in me and made me feel that I was smart. She was kind and made me feel safe in a new school. I wanted to do my best for her and as a result of her faith in me, I began to apply myself in school for the first time.” “He was an inspirational teacher who got someone who was terrible at art (me) to really enjoy it and complete some pretty "tough" assignments. Another great quality about Mr. Harrell was that he was always enjoying himself and never took himself too seriously.”
“Bob was one of the finest teachers and role models I have had. He inspired me to concentrate on the subject areas most challenging and difficult for me, and to complete a Ph.D. when my original intent had been to end my studies after earning a master's degree.” “The ability to think and analyze the information around me and to realize it isn't just about the content, it is about how you access information and how you critically analyze what is happening around you.”
“This teacher brought life in the classroom. In spite of the difficult material we learned, she made everyone feel as though they could learn. She made instruction interesting and fun!” |
"She opened my eyes to a diverse world and helped me become more inquisitive."
“Mrs. Urquhardt was very comfortable with the lessons that she presented to the class. She appeared to have always been prepared for each lesson. Mrs. Urquhardt encouraged all of her students to think outside of the box; explore other ways of seeing things. Each student was treated with respect; she received respect and a lot of admiration from each student.”
“Tim was the absolute best!! He challenged us with questions and provided frequent feedback that was insightful. I loved his humor!”
“Dr. Monica Gordon has influenced me with her expertise in research, her patience with her students, and her expectations for her students. Dr. Gordon took the time to assist her students and push her students to a whole new level with higher-order thinking. Awesome instructor!”
“My teacher stressed the importance of continuing my education and the significance of being bilingual in preparation for a changing society where homogeneity is no longer the status quo.”
“She had the ability to push me to think outside my own perceptions. Her tenacity helped me successfully complete my thesis.”
“Through her knowledge of science, she enabled me to reach for greater opportunities, to achieve my dream in efforts to a successful and prosperous cause.”
“Ms. Maga understood that I was an entirely different student than my older sibling, a distinction that some teachers failed to recognize.” “He was the first teacher that helped me to understand that learning is not just digesting information. Learning is best demonstrated by how that information influences your thinking, feeling, and actions. He brought to life a subject that I had always struggled with by helping me to be an active participant, and by owning the outcomes.”
“He let student express themselves through the class material added real life scenario to teaching which helped me retain my subject matter to relations to the class materials. He has the best teaching style by far at Walden University! Thank you Dr. Boswell ... I shall never forget you!”
“Dr. Kleinman has empowered me to be a strong and confident nurse administrator in my work setting. Now, I love working on my program budget!!” “First, she told me I was beautiful, and then she told me I could be anything I wanted to be. I attended elementary school in the early sixties. Miss Vanderhand made me feel special. She even invited me to her wedding. I attended, and she gave me a big hug. I had several other teachers, but she was the first to set me on my course to realizing that I had a bright future and sunny days were ahead.” “Mrs. Morgan changed the way I felt about school. She made learning fun and interesting. Looking back, I remember her interest and enthusiasm for her students.”
“Encouraged and valued my creative writing and love of reading. Had a great sense of humor. Helped me believe I could do anything.” “I really didn't "get" school until 3rd grade. Mrs. Nora Camenisch awakened my scientific curiosity, my love for learning, and my passion for education.”
“He told us to always question what we were learning. I do!” “She showed the human side of being a nun. She liked the things I liked.”
“Mrs. Elder was the nicest, most sincere teacher I had growing up. She taught her class with such kindness and made sure everyone in the class was on the same page.” “He is wildly passionate about bio, has a Ph.D., and used hands-on learning with field trips to the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in N.J.”
“She relentlessly demanded excellence of me. I received honors for the first time in her class. She introduced me to a standard I've kept throughout my life.” “She was so supportive in that she understood and celebrated the differences in each student. She was very down-to-earth too.”
“I live in a rural Southern community, and people had low expectations of everyone in public schools and especially African American children. He expected a lot and inspired a lot of confidence in me and others.” “Mr. Scotland was alive during some very interesting periods in history, so he was able to speak from the heart and with emotion about current events from the 1920's and beyond. He helped me to appreciate the effect of firsthand experience on the execution of day-to-day issues.”
“Ms. Munoz was, and still is, a model teacher, friend, confidant, and beloved mentor to many. More than anything else, she influenced my love of reading.” “Dr. McClure was by far the most influential teacher I have had at Walden. He changed my writing style from average to scholarly. He challenged me to think critically about my PASS, which has become my dissertation. He was always encouraging and firm, but with a gentle hand. He opened up my eyes to research. He was amazing.” |
