My computer graphics/computer vision professor in college (two classes, same professor). He treated us as people, explained the logic behind his teaching style (and grading), was extremely knowledgeable and approachable. A lot of professors end up having a sort of air or mystique around them that can make them harder to approach 1-on-1. Usually it’s no fault of their own, they’re just in a position of power and authority over the students.

This professor really tried to bring his students in by making us feel like we belonged. He actually described his class as the same class they teach at MIT. The only difference was the students and their drive.

In the computer vision class, there were only about 8 of us and we all did terribly in one of his exams. The next class he asked us directly and openly what he did wrong and how to make things better going forward (tl;dr: more examples). I really respect teachers who admit their mistakes/failures and then try to correct them.

Taught a concept in class incorrectly then fixed his mistake. When I studied the material after learning it the way he explained and found the correct information though other material, I emailed the professor. He wanted to meet me after our next class. This was initially to show me that I was wrong and to clear up my misunderstanding. He saw where I was going and we went to the lab to test it. We proved that I was right, admitted he had tought it the wrong way for years and said he would change his lesson. The next class, he returned to the subject and correctly explained the concept. Later I worked on a big research project with him as my advisor. He expected a lot and was tough, but we had mutual respect and that made the work fun.

I didn’t quite meet the grade threshold to take their class, but spoke to them and voiced my enthusiasm for the subject matter, and they allowed me to take the class.

Made math interesting by telling stories about how or why things were useful.

Or explained it in a way that was memorable… Like on one occasion, they brought in a sliced loaf of bread to demonstrate integral calculus

I hated languages in school because besides grammar and word mistakes, grading always felt arbitrary. However, that teacher recognized that I struggled, gave me a generalized template and said “If you do it like that, you get a good grade”. I did it like that and got a good grade (we have 1 (perfect) - 6 (trash) and I improved from 4- to 2+ which is quite a big leap). So yea, that was the first time that I perceived that subject and a teacher of that subject as something real and not bs.

Being able to admit they were wrong or didn’t know something.

In the 00s I was living on my own and working from 16. My teacher took me on as an aid and gave me the smallest of tasks. Most days she just let me sleep on her couch for the period. I was exhausted.

My computer science teacher telling me I should never give up, it was the only class worth attending.

But I also had mad respect for my PE teacher. I was so bad I would’ve failed the class if he had given me the actual grade he was supposed to give. So he got all of the students together and gave a speech about not failing anyone in the class and if someone was pissed about it, they could discuss it with him personally. Nobody did and I passed.

Every teacher who did their job reasonably competently, which was 80% or more of them.

lol, couldn’t ask for a better sequence

Gave me a burnt copy of Joe Satriani - Surfing with the Alien

Shamelessly telling dad jokes at every opportunity.

I’m old. They focused on the subjects they were paid to teach with varying levels of success.

Man, that sounds so extremely alternative given today’s society.