Why did the chicken cross the road?

M. and I were talking about our favorite teachers at NKHS (our high school) and why they were so great. Both of us agree that if it hadn't been for having at least one or two good teachers, we wouldn't be in the profession today. Frodel - History, Bressan - History, Driscoll - English. Driscoll was my favorite, and I base my teaching philosophy on his way of seeing the world. :) (M. wrote these answers)

Frodel: Because the chicken saw the potential to expand it's mind by crossing the threshold of uncharted territory that was the road and everything beyond it.

Driscoll: Because the chicken, in its stupidity, throwing all logic to the wind, saw all the other chickens crossing the road and followed suit like cattle, because chickens, like teenagers, are inherently stupid.

Bressan: I once saw a chicken TEN FEET TALL gun down a whole crapload of Viet Kong!! What? You don't believe me? I have the scars to prove it!!!

(p.s. Bressen wasn't actually ever in Vietnam, but he always told stories about his time there.)

I see this as competition between three different teaching styles: Frodel tried to expand the minds of his students because everything was so interesting to him that his enthusiasm for his subject was contagious; Driscoll thought all students were dumb and didn't hesitate to tell them what he thought of their 'we just want to get an A' philosophy; and Bressan was the kind of person who would just say crazy stuff and then see if you'd actually believe it. All of them were successful in challenging the idea that school is for grades, and that knowledge is only useful to pass tests. They made teaching something relevant, and they made us care. It's teachers like these that prevent the American public school system from completely imploding.