25 of the most memorable TV teachers

Walter White – Breaking Bad

When you mention Walter White (Bryan Cranston), folks don’t immediately associate him with teaching, but his roots are in high school chemistry. When we first meet Walt, he’s standing in front of his classroom, desperately trying to impart the magic of chemistry and change, and failing miserably with his bratty students.

He begins the series as a meek and anemic teacher, routinely dressing in various shades of khaki and vanilla. His students openly disrespect him, and they mock him when they discover his second job at the car wash. However, little do they know, a dangerous crime boss lurks underneath.

Everyone pretty much knows the story by now. Mild-mannered teacher gets lung cancer and can’t afford the ensuing medical bills, so he naturally becomes a meth manufacturer and dealer. Seems simple enough, but things quickly get out of control as the operation grows beyond what Walt, and his former student Jesse (Aaron Paul), can handle.

Through it all Walt maintains the educator air about him. He teaches Jesse everything about the chemical process, even reteach some stuff he had already tried to when Jesse was his student. Everything about Walt, even as he reaches the heights of his power, reflects his training as a high school teacher. He stays collected in the face of duress and danger, he solves problems thoroughly and efficiently (even the ones he creates for himself), and he always keeps an eye on the budget.

Although he is best known as Heisenberg, the drug kingpin, he’ll always be Mr. White from 11th grade chemistry to us.

You can watch the entire series on Netflix.