Junior Alexa Kantor would eagerly await for the clock to strike 12:50 p.m.. As soon as sixth period would end, Kantor rushed to pack up her stuff and head to seventh period – her favorite period of the day. She’d get to class, drop her back and run to greet math teacher Suzanne Pykosh. “Ms. Pykosh!” Kantor would yell. “I have to tell you what happened today.”
Math had never been Kantor’s favorite subject until Pykosh was her teacher. “She always found a way to make the class fun and make sure that everyone understood what was being taught. I looked forward to going to her class everyday,” Kantor said.
Kantor spent a lot of time with Pykosh while she was her teacher. “Whether it was for math help or just to talk and catch up, Ms. Pykosh would always make time for me,” Kantor said.
Students who are taught by their favorite teachers find the class itself more enjoyable regardless of the subject. Connecting with a teacher allows a student to feel more comfortable in their environment, contribute in class more and approach their teacher if they need extra help.
Junior Paniz Khajoee reflects on her previous teachers and how they impacted the class itself. “Mr. Burnham was great at answering any questions and makes the classroom a positive environment. You can tell he really loves what he does,” Khajoee said.
Khajoee had English teacher Alton Lightsey last semester. Even though she no longer has him as a teacher, she frequently visits him in his classroom. “Mr. Lightsey is extremely outgoing and kind and makes the classroom a fun space,” Khajoee said.
Junior Julia Bogart also had Lightsey as her AP Language teacher. “Through building a relationship with him I came to really enjoy his class and he even supported me outside of school at my poms competition. Even though he’s not my teacher anymore I still visit him and look forward to seeing him around the school,” Bogart said.
Favorite teachers can impact a student’s work ethic and study habits. When students are enjoying the class and feel supported and close with their teacher, they are motivated to work harder. “This is my second year with Michelle Hanson as my English teacher and she’s helped me grow so much as a writer and a student in general,” junior Daniel Avnaim said.
A good relationship with a teacher is vital as it can benefit students in myriad ways – it isn’t just about the college reccomendation.
Being close with a teacher helps students grow as a person and a student. The benefits don’t last just for high school, as teachers encourage their students to reach out to them in the future. Frequently, graduates come back to visit their favorite teachers to reconnect and thank the teachers for everything the teacher taught them in high school.
Good teachers find ways to appeal to students and strive to make the classroom a safe and positive environment. What an ideal environment or teacher-student relationship is varies from student to student. Therefore, every student should search for the teacher who best suits them and their interests.
