They say that no one ever forgets a great teacher! I remember my favorite teacher was not actually a teacher from school but from my college days. I decided to study Economics ‘A’ Level and the Lecturer was a gentleman by the name of Peter Moule; a name I will never forget! 
Not only was he incredibly knowledgeable about economics but he presented the information in a way that was fun, easy to remember and always made it sound interesting! He always used to make the class laugh and he always had everyone’s attention. I don’t ever remember a single time when he had to tell anyone to be quiet. All the students had a natural respect for him.
“Teachers teach more by what they are than by what they say.”
I used to often chat to Peter after class and found out more about him personally. He was in his sixties, close to retirement age, and yet he looked more like a man in his late forties. He used to eat healthily and also went to the gym regularly. He was always full of energy and learning was a passion of his. I remember him saying that after retiring he planned on doing some further masters degrees.
As well as teach economics he used to also teach a supplemental 10 week study skills course. He taught advanced memory techniques, speed reading, mind mapping and anything to do with expanding ones learning potential. To this day I still have some of the notes from that course and it was one of the things that triggered my keen interest in personal development.
“Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I’ll understand.”
It’s not often that someone touches our lives in a way that you will never forget them. Peter was one of them and he didn’t even have to do much. He was just outstanding at his job and was a wonderful communicator! I unfortunately never kept in touch with him but if I were to see him now I would love the opportunity to say thank you for making me interested in education as well as making it fun for me! Thank you Peter Moule!
Who was your favourite teacher and why?
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Great post that should provoke a lot of thoughtful responses. And for even more perspective and inspiration on thanking teachers, I invite you and your readers to check out this short video — ahamoment.com/pg/moments/view/4654 — about one teacher’s “aha moment” when her thoughtful work and dedication were recognized in a very special way. I think you’ll find it very uplifting.
Thanks,
jack@ahamoment.com
Twitter: amitsodha
July 26, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Hey Jack.
Thanks for the comments and introducing me to your site and that video! It left me really curious about what she wrote in the year book?!
For me, a former teacher, there was one expression of thanks that was even better than hearing it from one of my students. That was the time I heard it from the mother of a sixth-grader who had struggled all year with reading and writing. With the expression of gratitude in her voice that can come only from a parent’s love for her child, she told me on the last day of school that it had been his best year ever.
I think my life and my teaching have been more confident (and, consequently, more competent) over the ensuing decades because of that one heartfelt remark.
Twitter: amitsodha
February 24, 2011 at 3:32 pm
Hey John, wow, that must be an incredible feeling to have a mother say that to you. I was actually in a similar boat. I was mentoring a young boy, his mother came to me and said she felt helpless and hopeless because he just didn’t enjoy school. I remember that by the time I finished with him, he was actually stressed about his schoolwork and exams (whereas before he didn’t care). Thanks for sharing your amazing story!
Hi Amit
I also had Peter Moule as a teacher but way back in 1990 and also took the study skills clas, out of interest when did you have him as a teacher.
Twitter: amitsodha
January 16, 2012 at 4:23 pm
Hey Zia
Great to hear from you. I had Peter I think between 94 – 96 for A level Economics and for the Study Skills class.
Did you keep in touch with him? Now doubt he’s still as young looking as he was then and still in perfect health, he was a very disciplined individual and used to exercise regularly and eat well too. A great example.
Thanks for getting in touch.