My favorite high school teacher was my AP English teacher. She was a very passionate person and teacher and really encouraged my own critical thinking. There were no lectures or hand-raising; each class was a conversation (and occasional intense debate) among equals. She was a bit crazy (believed in ghosts and was very "spiritual" in a intutional, "think with your heart" sense), but I still loved her. One of our summer reading assignments for 11th grade AP (I took it 11th and 12th grade) was <i>Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy</i>. We also watched Monty Python's <i>Life of Brian</i> and <i>Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead</i>. She knew me better than any teacher I had, and her college recommendations ended up being my top choices.

Not quite high school, but I also have to give a special mention for my 7th and 8th grade English teacher, who was by far the best middle school teacher I had. She would push me more than anyone and did not put up with nonsense. A significant portion of my class hated her and resented her harsh grading, but I really liked her. She was also hilarious, and would talk about notable <i>Daily Show</i> episodes. On her desk she had a little pot which stated on one side "Ashes of Problem Students."