Mark Naison - Teachers Make a Difference - Paul Noyes

The speaker reflects on the profound influence of a history professor, Paul Noise, at Columbia University. Despite a large class size, the professor's passion and charisma made history come alive, particularly the French Revolution. This experience inspired the speaker to pursue a career as a history professor, aiming to similarly inspire students. The professor's influence also sparked a passion for reading and research, exemplified by a challenging paper on the Paris Commune. Ultimately, the professor motivated the speaker to stretch their capabilities and aspire to impact future students.

What was the most notable quality of the history professor that captivated the students?

• His strict discipline

• His passion and charisma

• His extensive knowledge

• His humorous anecdotes

What career did the narrator aspire to after being inspired by the professor?

• A history professor

• A museum curator

• A novelist

• A journalist

How did the professor's teaching style influence the narrator's approach to history?

• By focusing on historical dates

• By encouraging rote memorization

• By making history feel like a living experience

• By emphasizing historical artifacts

What specific historical event did the narrator research for their paper?

• The American Revolution

• The Industrial Revolution

• The Russian Revolution

• The Paris Commune

What skill did the narrator improve while working on their research paper?

• Public speaking

• French language proficiency

• Mathematical analysis

• Artistic drawing