Scott Higgins - Teachers Make a Difference - Marla Jackson

The speaker reflects on the influence of various teachers, particularly Marla Jackson, who taught English at Pontiac Central High School. Marla's approach to teaching, treating students as equals and holding them accountable, left a lasting impact. She encouraged the speaker to pursue a senior thesis on film, which shaped their academic and career path. The speaker's teaching philosophy is inspired by Marla, emphasizing that learning extends beyond the classroom.

What was Marlon Jackson's approach to teaching her students?

• She treated students as equals and demanded high standards.

• She was lenient and easy-going.

• She avoided personal interactions with students.

• She focused only on theoretical knowledge.

What project did Marlon Jackson encourage the narrator to undertake?

• A senior thesis on film.

• A science experiment.

• A community service project.

• A research paper on English literature.

What did the narrator learn from attempting to make a film?

• That making films is easy.

• That film theory is not important.

• That studying movies is worthwhile.

• That writing is more important than filmmaking.

How does the narrator view the role of a teacher?

• As a friend who doesn't hold students accountable.

• As someone who only teaches within the classroom.

• As a guide who helps students learn from their surroundings.

• As a strict disciplinarian.

What is the narrator's ideal teaching environment?

• An environment where learning happens everywhere.

• A setting focused solely on exams.

• A classroom that is the only place of learning.

• A place where students are not held accountable.