Mr. Hazelett, may he Rest in Peace, was my 8th grade math teacher. He was a Korean war vet, and had some serious PTSD. He spoke with a stammer. The kids knew he had “shell shock” and at least once a month when he was writing a problem on the chalkboard with his back to the class, some kid would drop a textbook on the floor just to watch him jump or dive.
Even though I had my cruel phase, I never dreamed of doing that to Mr. Hazelett and was disgusted when the other kids did. That he had to endure that just to earn a living still makes me very sad to this day.
I had a Navy Korean War vet for World History in the 8th grade. My mother called him “Fuller the Fascist,” so I guess he was pretty darn militaristic even for a military family. A well-organized instructor, though.
My algebra teacher - guess it was 8th grade ... 1979 or so? - had taught at the Naval Academy. He had a pistol in his briefcase. Great teacher - I’m no math mind, but I totally nailed Algebra I.
I got a newbie teacher who had been assigned world history but really wasn’t into it. Being in my smart alec phase I often corrected her and/or the text. I would have hated to have me in that class. :-))