Tell Us What Makes A Great Teacher

The Washington Education Association received more than 400 entries to this year’s A Teacher to Remember contest, its second year of inviting students to write about teachers who have made a difference in their lives.

Kresha Frankhauser, a Lewis and Clark senior, won the high school division for her essay about LC social studies teacher John Hagney and how he instilled in her a love of learning. She won a $250 U.S. Savings Bond and a trip to Federal Way on Tuesday to pick up her prize. Hagney also was honored at the ceremony.

Kresha’s winning essay is reprinted here today.

Another Spokane student and teacher won this year, in the elementary school category. Katie Dear, a Browne fourth-grader, won for her nomination of her current teacher, Donna Langeman.

All this got us thinking about teachers and what makes a good one. Students are experts on this, since they spend all that time in the classroom, so Our Generation would like you to call or write us about the qualities you wish all of your teachers could have.

But tell us seriously, no all-out bans of homework or tests. What qualities make the difference between a really good teacher - someone you can learn from - versus someone whose class is a waste of time?

Call Cityline at 458-8800 in Spokane or 765-8811 in Coeur d’Alene. Enter category 9894 (you need a touch-tone phone) and leave your message. Speak clearly, please. Or, you can do it the old-fashioned way and write to Our Generation, Teacher Qualities, 999 W. Riverside, Spokane, WA 99210-1615.