‘They changed my life’: YEP readers pay tribute to the inspirational school teachers who shaped their futures

It’s the summer holidays, and while that means a chance for youngsters to let their hair down before another academic year begins, it's also an opportunity for those of us long past our school days to reflect on yesteryear.

Despite school feeling - at times - like an endless onslaught of homework and being browbeaten by the national curriculum (anyone else forced to analyse An Inspector Calls for GCSE English?), many of us still hold warm memories of at least one teacher who could do no wrong.

For me, it was one of my university lecturers, Richard Keeble, who reinforced why I should stick with studying and become a journalist.

And when we asked Yorkshire Evening Post readers who their favourite teachers were when they were growing up, dozens of you jumped at the chance to champion the educators who shaped your lives.

So, who did our readers sound out as their standout teachers from back in the day? Read on to see if one of yours has been given a well-deserved nod many moons later.

YEP readers pay tribute to the teachers who inspired and supported them

‘She helped me when my mother passed away’

Gary Hendrickson paid a moving tribute to his former primary school teacher, Mrs Syrett at Leopold Primary: "A truly absolute angel of a woman that helped me so much when my mother passed away aged nine.

Never forget her compassion and understanding. Remember everything about her, including the car she drove - a purple-coloured Citroën 2CV."

‘Inspired me to become an English teacher and author’

For Michele Northwood, her time at St. Peter & St. Paul's Middle School set her on the career path she still follows today, thanks to English teacher Miss Asquith: "Miss Asquith taught English and really inspired me.

I'm now an English teacher myself and also a published writer."

‘They helped me survive the roughest two years of my life’

Sarah Macfarlane shared how two educators gave her an escape when she needed it most: "Mrs Spirit at Springbank Junior School and Mrs Noble at Priesthorpe High School helped me to survive the roughest two years of my life.

They encouraged my love of reading as a means to escape what was happening, and I'll never be thankful enough."

‘He read us The Hobbit 55 years ago’

Glen McHugh looked back more than half a century to his time at Coldcotes Senior Boys, remembering Mr Hodgson: "He read The Hobbit for ten minutes after registration, and was the one who told me the dangers of smoking.

That was 55 years ago - wish I could go back and thank him."

‘I still treasure her certificate from 40 years ago’

Bernadette Sutton Hodgson fondly recalled Miss Pearson at Whitechapel Middle School, sharing: "She was our form tutor and loved sport, as did I at that time.

I thrived in her class and still treasure the certificate of merit she gave to me 40 odd years ago."

‘A true mentor, firm but fair’

Many readers pointed to teachers who brought charisma and authority to the classroom.

Heather Royce recalled Mr Hinchcliffe at Allerton Grange in the 1980s for how "theatrical" he was in teaching English and Literature, while Paul Dolgin hailed Les Lees at Roundhay School in the late 60s and 70s as "a real mentor, firm but fair, a great teacher, and an all-round top bloke."