5 fictional teachers who are beloved by real-life educators

We asked participants at the PETAA 2022 Leading with Literacy Conference: from babble to Batavia and beyond – navigating the language and literacy landscape to tell us which fictional teachers were their favourites and why. The participants made some brilliant picks across literature, film, and television (many of these characters appear in more than one format) to highlight the educators in entertainment that they really enjoy.
 
Their answers represent not just a love of great characters  - they also reveal the qualities that teachers like you value, and the behaviours and approaches you model every day with your students.

Read about each fictional teacher below, and if you missed the PETAA 2022 conference, you can sign up to view it on-demand! Sign up to our newsletter to be the first to learn more.

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1— Miss Frizzle, The Magic School Bus

"I love her enthusiasm and passion for learning that she shares with her students."

- Mel 

 

 

2— Professor Minerva McGonagall, Harry Potter 

"She combined discipline with understanding and grace."

- Vivian 

 

 

3— Miss Honey, Matilda

"She saw the potential in a 'naughty and disruptive' child and found ways to channel negative energy in useful ways."

- Krisha

"My favourite fictional teacher... I always wanted a teacher like her!"

- Melissa

 

 

4— Dumbledore, Harry Potter

"He was all about relationships. He was also fabulous at seeing things in students that they couldn’t see themselves."

- Corinne

 
 
5—  John Keating, Dead Poet's Society

"He teaches us that every child has incredible potential, you just have to find creative ways to unlock it."  

- Ellie 

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