On the flip side, I changed schools in 10th grade and was blessed with a WONDERFUL History teacher who had a real passion for it. We rarely used our books. She lectured and made it very interesting. She expected a lot, and most of the students did well in her class. THere was NO goofing off in her class! She was voted favorite teacher by our senior class.
Actually my junior high school history teacher was exellent--and a football coach to boot. He first established absolute discipline in the class, even kicking his own players out of his class permanently. After two weeks of terror, he lightened up and we had a great time and learned a tremendous amount. But we always knew exactly what he was capable of if we pushed the envelope. Best class I ever had.
He taught only a couple of years in my high school in Idaho and then disappeared. Twenty years later I ran into him when I attended church with some in-laws in California. It was great to see him and relive old times. I never had the nerve to ask him if California schools were as accommodating to his brand of discipline as was my school. I kind of doubt it though.