Throughout modern history, fictional characters have made a lasting imprint on audiences of all ages. Whether it’s an anti‐hero like Tony Soprano or a beloved protagonist like Harry Potter, we all have a fictional character we can identify with or admire. But might some of them have acted as real‐life role models?
We’ve all encountered numerous teachers (real and fictional) over the years. Some were good and inspiring, while others were just bad. Either way, most have likely left a mark on us. To find out which teachers from TV and movies have made the biggest impacts on Americans’ lives, Study.com recently surveyed over 1,000 people to discover America’s most (and least) favorite fictional teachers. Read on to see if your favorite made the list!
Key Takeaways
Hagrid from the “Harry Potter” series is America’s favorite teacher.
78% of Americans have applied advice they learned from a fictional teacher in real life.
Dolores Umbridge is the No. 1 worst fictional teacher (both men and women agree).
The Best Fictional Teachers
We were curious to see where Americans aligned on their favorite fictional teachers. Given how much the “Harry Potter” series of books and movies has embedded itself into American pop culture, you may not be too surprised to learn who topped the list.
As you may have expected, Care of Magical Creatures teacher Rubeus Hagrid is America’s favorite fictional teacher. The beloved “Harry Potter” character ranked No. 1 out of all the teachers our respondents chose from. And to further illustrate the impact of “Harry Potter” on Americans, the second favorite teacher among respondents was Remus Lupin, another Hogwarts professor. Among LGBTQ respondents, the top‐rated teacher was Kakashi Hatake of “Naruto,” with Lupin coming in second and Hagrid landing in third place.
The top lesson our respondents learned from fictional teachers was kindness, a value that they learned most from Hagrid, Ms. Frizzle from “The Magic School Bus,” and Bill Nye of “Bill Nye The Science Guy.”. Ms. Frizzle also landed among the top teachers who taught them the joy of learning and self‐love. Overall, 78% of the people we surveyed said they’d applied advice they learned from a fictional teacher to their own life – that’s quite a positive impact!
The Worst Fictional Teachers
Of course, not all fictional teachers make us feel warm and fuzzy. Sometimes are antagonists or just generally unlikeable. Given how united respondents were regarding their favorite fictional teachers, we wanted to see how they felt about teacher characters on the other end of the scale.
A vast majority of respondents voted Dolores Umbridge of “Harry Potter” fame their least favorite fictional teacher. That tracks, given the character’s reputation for being relentlessly cruel and downright evil. Both men and women agreed on this, with Umbridge being the least favorite among both groups. The least favorite teacher among LGBTQ respondents was Mr. Garrison from “South Park.” Known for his cruel and crude demeanor, it’s no wonder he didn’t fare well in our study.
A Teacher’s Influence
Almost all of us can think of at least one teacher who’s influenced us in some meaningful way. Even though the pandemic has deeply affected teachers and the future of their profession, there’s no question that they’re a vital part of most people’s upbringing. But what about the ones we’ve only read about and seen on our screens?
Another popular “Harry Potter” character, Professor Albus Dumbledore, topped the charts as the most influential fictional figure. Known for his wit, wisdom, and kindness, Dumbledore was likely the school principal most Potter fans wished they’d had. His values may have affected the futures of those who admired him: Nearly 60% of Americans surveyed said that a fictional teacher impacted their career path or chosen field of study. Even more LGBTQ respondents reported the same: 82% said a fictional teacher directly influenced their career choice.
Among the business leaders we surveyed, the beloved Miss Crabtree from “The Little Rascals” was the teacher they were most likely to say influenced their career path. For educators, the most influential person was Mr. Katimski, an English and drama teacher from the popular ‘90s drama “My So‐Called Life.” Lastly, the spunky Ms. Frizzle, who often took students on fantastical field trips to learn about science, was the most significant example for future tech employees.
Have You Been Influenced by a Fictional Teacher?
In real life and the fictional world, teachers leave an indelible impression on us as we grow up. These characters are sometimes viewed as purely entertainment, but they also have the power to inspire and influence our lives deeply, imparting valuable lessons that can shape our lives, and even affect our career choices. Fictional teachers might have inspired many to become the real‐life teachers they are today. Let’s just hope they were more inspired by Rubeus Hagrid than Dolores Umbridge.
Methodology
Study.com surveyed 1,004 Americans about fictional teachers. Of them, 51% were women, and 49% were men; 63% described themselves as straight, 34% as LGBTQ, and the remaining 3% preferred not to answer. Regarding industries, 28% were in education, and 30% were in information technology. When asked about their job roles, 27% were executive leaders, owners, or senior‐level employees, which we grouped as business leaders.
About Study.com
Study.com wants to simplify learning so you can unlock your potential. We provide an accessible and personalized learning platform to make education more flexible and affordable for everyone.
