Funny stories

about Teacher’s
Day
1. I had a math teacher who – on
the first day of class – handed
out a little pieces of paper and
asked everyone to sign them.
When we asked why, he said, “
In case one of you become
famous one day!”.

2. One time, during silent reading

in Art History, my teacher( who
 had a thick German accent)
jumped up from his desk, yelled,
‘ Guys! My cats!’ Then ran out
the door with no further
explanation and didn’t return for
45 minutes.

3. One time, my English teacher

told us that he would have a
substitute the next day. We
came to class and, five minutes
after the bell, he showed up in a
giant fur coat, a fake mustache,
a fur hat, and was speaking in a
thick Russian accent. He was
pretending to be a dead Russian
author and the skit went on for
 30 minutes until his mustache
started falling off.

4. My high school Algebra teacher

had the most ridiculous
responses for ordinary things.
For example, if you asked for a
tissue he ALWAYS would say
‘Tissue? I don’t even know you!’

5. One high school teacher I had

would bellow ‘Turn or buuuurn!’
anytime he saw a student not
facing the board. It was bizzare,
but really entertaining. If you
riled him up enough, sometimes
 he would forget to assign
anything.

6. In sixth class, my English teacher

claimed that she could ‘ do
magic’ and had a ‘ magic wand’.
Basically, - if you were acting up
- she could come and tap your
head with it.

7. I had a Spanish teacher in middle

school who printed out pictures
of telescopes and taped them
under our chairs because ‘
telescopes help you focus’.
 8. I had a teacher who dressed up
as Batman for Halloween and
decided to surprise us by being
perched up by the radiator
before we got to class. He tried
to get down when we all came
in, but tripped over his cape and
fell. I lost the video sadly, but I
know some of my classmates
posted it on social. It’s out there
somewhere!
A Lifelong Friendship
A master can tell you what he expects of you. A teacher…
awakens your own expectations.
~Patricia Neal
I met Mrs. Sase my senior year in high school. I was struggling greatly in her
math class. On top of having always struggled with math, I was dealing with
the fears and anxieties that come with being a foster youth and worrying
deeply about the future that lay in store for me. I had been living with foster
parents, and our agreement was that after graduation I was to move out and
begin my life as an adult, at seventeen.
The burden of this anxiety resulted in a lack of motivation in school. Most
teachers assumed I had senioritis or just didn’t care. Mrs. Sase, however, took
a closer look. I will never forget the first time she walked over to my desk
and handed me a little folded note. It read, “Are you okay?”
I was shocked by her genuine care and interest in my wellbeing. Not only
was she intuitive and sensitive enough to notice my reserve, she took the time
to personally make a difference. She listened as I shared my most hidden
fears about my past and the uncertain future that was closing in on me. She
listened when others seemed to be too busy to show concern or too fearful to
try. She agreed to write my letter of recommendation when I decided to apply
for the Guardian Scholars program; a comprehensive program committed to
supporting ambitious, college-bound students exiting the foster care system.
Her letter was
meticulously thought-out and meaningful, even with the high demand of
students who wanted her to be the one teacher to write their letters of
recommendation. It is something I will always treasure.
I found new ambition through Mrs. Sase’s support and devotion to my
academic and personal success. If I was sick and had to miss school, I would
still go to school for the one hour of Mrs. Sase’s math class. Not only did my
grades dramatically improve, so did my confidence.
There is something very powerful in feeling that you have someone who truly
cares for you and deeply believes in you. Mrs. Sase gave me the support I
needed to overcome the obstacles in my life. Because of her personal
influence and encouragement, I found faith in myself and came to believe
that I could achieve academic and personal success. I believe that the most
healing and important thing in a mentoring/helping relationship is
consistency. She has not missed one hard day, one tear, one birthday or one
celebration. She is truly a beautiful teacher, friend and mentor.
I owe a great deal of my success to Mrs. Sase, not only for the profound and
lasting impact she had on my life in high school, but also for her continued
support after graduation. The most amazing thing about Mrs. Sase is that I am
just one of an army of students who would confess that Mrs. Sase changed
their lives as well. Her entire classroom is filled with memorabilia and letters
of utmost gratitude for her and the life-changing impact she has had on so
many students.
While getting to know Mrs. Sase my senior year in high school, I learned that
she had recently lost both her parents to cancer. She had moved home to
Irvine to care for them and teach at Woodbridge High School. When I look
back on the generosity and love she gave so freely to me, it’s overwhelming
to know that my first day meeting her was also her first day back to school
after the loss of two of the greatest and most important people in her life.
I received an e-mail my senior year in college from a friend informing me of
the Carlston Family Foundation, a foundation that recognizes teachers
nominated by former students who credit their success in high school, college
and beyond to one special educator who made a difference. The teacher that
is chosen is given the title “Outstanding Teacher of the Year” and receives a
$15,000 check from the Carlston Family Foundation. The school where this
teacher teaches also receives a $5,000 prize.
I immediately felt compelled to write. In fact, it was hard to limit myself in
all that I wanted to share. I wanted every reader to truly understand how
important Mrs. Sase is. I guess it wasn’t hard to see. She was chosen and
received the award with awe and humility. The award ceremony is one of the
greatest memories I have. I am so thankful that I was able to give back to
someone who has shown me that there are people in this world who are
genuinely good, who care for others and believe that each and every person is
smart, strong, and fully capable of being successful and are worthwhile.
By some miracle, I was in Mrs. Sase’s math class. The identifying term
“math teacher” robs her of all the incredible titles this woman possesses. Mrs.
Sase is an angel who spreads her wings so far and wide that all who find
themselves in her path feel forever protected, believed in, and cared for.
She’s so much more than a teacher. She’s a friend and a big sister. The
Orange County Register quoted Mrs. Sase in an interview after she received
the Carlston Family Foundation award saying, “the kids are my heartbeat.”
She is mine.
Jayde Rossi