i think that would have to be my old Math teacherr Mr. Padgett. Technically i had him for only two years. i started with him in 9th grade in a Algebra class, but i was an advanced student and had already taken algebra the year before, so 2 weeks into term i finally bullied the counselor into putting me into Geometry. Good thing too, i was bored out of my mind in Algebra.

So i had him for Advanced algebra, and Pre calc.

He taught me that excuses are unneeded. Useless. And that most of the time an explanation is merely an excuse. He taught me to own up to whatever i had done, and what i hadn't done. He scared me for a long time, because he was a brutal teacher, but we grew to understand each other. i think i learned the most from him, and overcome the most obstacles in his class. i slept in his class the least.

He also had this amazing talent for calling a student every kind of idiot that exists without ever using the word.

The one moment we spent together that will be forever cemented in my mind Is one day when i got ditched at the school, it was cold, i had my saxophone, and i had missed the transit and i wanted to get to the library. It was only 3 blocks away, but that is a long way with a Tenor saxophone weighing over 20 pounds total and a 30 pound backpack. i accosted him in the lot and said "you will drive me to the library"

at the time i was in a math class full of ditzy females years older than i, that i believe traded favors for just about anything. i think the poor guy thought that was what i was on about, and seemed skeptical. "is that all you want?" he asked. i don't think he was interested, he just seemed suspicious and wary.

i gave him the best Snape look i could muster and said "good god, man. You're my favorite teacherr, but i'm just irritated and need to get to the bloody library. am i walking, or not?"

i think that was the beginning of a caustic and sarcastic friendship, really. after that we got along MUCH better. Probably because i didn't report him to the principal for dubious things with highschool females and the 30 or so cans of beer littering his car.

Although i did get a kick out of the several banana peels.

i will always miss him (by my senior year he had transferred elsewhere) and i use the lessons i learned from him everyday.

Mr. Padgett, i love you and i wish you well in life :)