“Every great wizard in history has started out as nothing more than what we are now: students. If they can do it, why not us?”
-Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
As an educator, have you ever wondered what it would be like to teach at Hogwarts? I know we have all imagined what it would be like to attend, but to be a professor? To walk the halls and educate the future witches and wizards of Great Britain? I would almost say that I would rather teach at Hogwarts than at RCA… {gasp}.
So without further ado, and with much research from myself, my husband, and several coworkers who are all die-hard fans of books before movie, continue reading to discover which Hogwart’s professor you are…
Professor McGonagall – Head of Gryffindor House; Transfiguration
“Now, the Vanishing Spell –””Hem, hem.””I wonder,” said Professor McGonagall in cold fury, turning on Professor Umbridge, “how you expect to gain an idea of my usual teaching methods if you continue to interrupt me? You see, I do not generally permit people to talk when I am talking.” – OOTP
Man, McGonagall is probably everyone’s favorite professor. She’s tough and understanding at the same time. You might be like Professor McGonagall if you’ve been a teacher for quite some time. You have years of experience under your belt and you know that students need tough love and structure to thrive, but you also understand that educators often have to be loving and understanding of life sometimes. Now, normally, seasoned educators struggle to stay in the “know” with all the cool new hip teaching fads, but you aren’t afraid to try something to catch your students’ attention. {I mean BEING a cat for a lesson hook? That’ll get them motivated to learn some transfiguration!} Keep it up! Your mentor teachers look to you for stability and guidance while reminding them that not all days have trolls in the dungeon and eventually the Harry Potters, Ron Weasleys, and the Hermione Grangers will graduate and you can breathe again {but you’ll be surprised how much you miss their shenanigans!}
Hagrid – Care of Magical Creatures
“No good sittin’ worryin’ abou’ it,” he said. “What’s comin’ will come, an’ we’ll meet it when it does.” -GOF
Hagrid’s class is ALWAYS controlled chaos. Teachers like Hagrid enjoy giving the students an experience they will remember, but isn’t really sure what the objectives are. You aren’t sure what the test will be on, but you know they will be able to use these skills in the real world if they encounter these animals. These teachers are also very close with certain students. Not in a weird, illegal way, but more in a “I don’t have kids and I like these human beings, I want to help them succeed.” {Or “I have kids and I know how tough this age is, I just want to offer advice.”} Overall, these teachers show their students the attention and love they need to continue on and offer interesting, but chaotic classroom lessons. If you’re a Hagrid – keep on loving those that need it, but at least write an objective on the board that will last a few weeks.
Madam Hooch – Flying Instructor
“Well, what are you waiting for? Everyone stand by a broomstick.” – SS
Oh Madam Hooch. What an interesting teacher. I do believe that Zoe Wanamaker played her just as I read her. We all know {and may be} a Madam Hooch teacher. Many of them are PE coaches. Some are classroom teachers, but they are all about “You must do it to learn it.” They offer the basics of instruction, and give you the tools needed to complete it, but then, good luck, you’re on your own. Do it until you figure it out. These teachers are much like the real world. They offer what you need, but often just kind of throw you in to it for survival. Some students have the knack, while others struggle to be able to control their broomstick. If you’re a Madam Hooch, thank you for teaching students about real life. They may buck up at the hard work it takes, but they’ll thank you when they’re older.
Professor Snape – Potions Master, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Headmaster
“You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making. As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don’t expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses. . . I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death — if you aren’t as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach.” -SS
Snape. We may not all want to BE Snape, but we all have desired to reach page three hundred and ninety-four so we can say his famous line to our students. Teachers like Snape are interesting. They use fear as their main behavior management tool. They know their size or demeanor can be intimidating, and they are prepared to use it to keep order in their class. They certainly have a passion for their subject material {I mean who else talks about Potions the way Snape does…}, but often, teachers like Snape are just passionate people. Which is why most teachers like Snape will have received a double certification so that they can teach their other favorite subject, BUT wait… You ONLY get to teach ONE of them. You don’t get split classes with some of both, so that’s no fun {maybe one day}… If you’re a Snape teacher, smile by the third month. Let them know you’re human. You’d be surprised how many students will grow to love your subject too if they connect with the teacher. Also, thank you for the theatrics. Your passion shows and your students and coworkers are thankful for a teacher who loves their material.
Professor Sprout – Head of Hufflepuff, Herbology professor
“I feel that if a single pupil wants to come, then the school ought to remain open for that pupil.” -OOP
Ah Professor Sprout. Often overlooked, she is one of the greats. Teachers like Sprout mix a sense of understanding with experience. They are very direct in their tone with students, but offers help when needed. Their classes are full of interesting and educational experiences that relate to real life and material that will be used later for real life instances {I mean they did use the baby Mandrakes in Chamber of Secrets for a medical remedy to the petrifying by the basilisk!} Talk about real world skills! She’s also the Head of Hufflepuff house, which shows a general kindness towards people in general. Everyone likes a kind teacher! If you’re a Sprout teacher, thank you for being so kind. You are the teacher that students come back to visit!
Professor Trelawney – Divination
“So you may have chosen to study Divination, the most difficult of all magical arts. I must warn you at the outset that if you do not have the Sight, there is very little I will be able to teach you. Books can take you only so far in this field….” – POA
Good ole’ Professor Trelawney. She is a mess! Literally. Teachers like Trelawney are very “free spirits.” They don’t tend to create or go by a lesson plan. They have an idea of what they want to cover and how, but books aren’t important. They need to feel the vibe of their room. They need to see how everyone’s aura is before they decide on what to do today. Teachers like this will often have an expansive knowledge of their area and skills needed to teach it, but they just pull ideas from a hat until they decide what works. Many type Some students will struggle in this type of class since there is very little structure, but learning is happening. If you are a free spirit like Trelawney, bless you. Most teachers are not, so you will not find many sympathetic coworkers. There are students who need your understanding and moment by moment lessons, so thank you for being real with them.
Professor Binns – History of Magic
“Professor Binns opened his notes and began to read in a flat drone like an old vacuum cleaner until nearly everyone in the class was in a deep stupor, occasionally coming round long enough to copy down a name or date, then falling asleep again.” – Pottermore
Welp, I’m just going to say it. We’ve all had a Professor Binns, and sadly, it has probably been in a history class. {History is my subject area and I DESPISE Binn’s type learning!} Teachers like Professor Binns are all about some direct instruction. They are avid users of PowerPoint and textbook work {as in – Monday: define vocab, Tuesday: outline chapter, Wednesday: complete section assessments, Thursday: chapter review, Friday – test – Rinse and Repeat for 187 days…}. While they most likely know their subject material very well, they don’t know their students. Just as Professor Binns is a ghost teacher, these teachers are not always aware of their students’ learning needs and ways to enhance their awesome subject. I hope you aren’t a Professor Binns, but if you think you are, please seek out your nearest Professor Sprout or Lupin for some new ideas to engage your students! 🙂
Professor Flitwick – Head of Ravenclaw; Charms teacher
“Owing to the potential for nasty accidents when objects kept flying across the room. Professor Flitwick had given each student a stack of cushions on which to practise, the theory being that these wouldn’t hurt anyone if they went off target. It was a good theory, but it wasn’t working very well. Neville’s aim was so poor that he kept accidentally sending much heavier things flying across the room — Professor Flitwick, for instance.” – GOF
Professor Flitwick seems to be the perfect mix of direct instruction on what objective needs to be met, and hands on experience to internalize the task. Teachers like Flitwick make sure their students first learn about their topic, and then they are given the chance to work together to learn how to use it. Teachers like Flitwick usually have their classroom set up with flexible seating with students using group work. While a teacher like Flitwick isn’t always the “coolest” class, students feel safe and understood while in the class, and they know they are walking away with usable knowledge. Flitwick-esque teachers, please consider mentoring new teachers. They would benefit from your knowledge of structure and engagement!
Professor Lockhart – Defense Against the Dark Arts
“I haven’t learned anything from him except not to set pixies loose.” – Ron Weasley about Lockhart’s class (COS)
Goodness. Lockhart. Teachers like Lockhart look good on paper, but man, please don’t visit their room. They have no classroom management {aka setting Cornish Pixies loose and leaving}. Students think they are an interesting teacher because they are interesting people, but when they leave they often think, “What did I learn today? Do we have a test? Man that was stressful…” If you are a Lockhart teacher, please consider a new profession. You stress the rest of us out {even the Trelawney’s…}
Professor Lupin – Defense Against the Dark Arts
“You’re the best Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher we’ve ever had!” – Harry Potter on Lupin (POA)
Professor Lupin, often regarded as the best DADA teacher Harry had, is a fun professor to think about. Teachers like Lupin often didn’t plan to be teachers. They have a background that doesn’t fit your typical “cardigan” style teacher. They are often considered the “cool” teacher with a mix of real life {almost too real} classroom discussions and questions that make you think. They talk with students like they are real people {rather than younglings} and tend to offer pieces of life advice throughout their lessons. Lupin-esque teachers keep up the good work. When students think back on their educational experiences, they often remember your class with a warm heart.
Mad Eye Moody – Defense Against the Dark Arts
Harry Potter: “Professor Moody?”
Moody: “I don’t know so much about ‘Professor’. Never got round to much teaching, did I?”
So this one is a little strange… I mean in all actuality, we are talking about Barty Crouch, Jr as a teacher, not Moody… but I will still use what we know. Teachers like Moody are often previous members of the military. They are tough on their students, but also try to understand them. They aren’t your typical teachers and often assign book work for days instead of teaching, but then, will suddenly assign a project or do a demonstration that wakes up and terrifies their students at the same time. If you’re a Professor Moody, find yourself a Flitwick to help you balance your classroom. Keep up with the tough love, students need it.
Umbridge – Defense Against the Dark Arts, Headmistress
“The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance…There again, progress for progress’s sake must be discouraged, for our tried and tested traditions often require no tinkering… Let us move forward, then, into a new era of openness, effectiveness, and accountability, intent on preserving what ought to be preserved, perfecting what needs to be perfected, and pruning wherever we find practises that ought to be prohibited.” – OOP
I really hope that if you’re reading this you don’t think you are a Umbridge… If you do, please leave the teaching profession. Umbridge teachers do not like students. They just became a teacher for the power. They do not allow their students to question, think, or grow. They teach only what they believe and often use fear, intimidation, and embarrassment to attempt to keep students in line. In more recent times I have witnessed students and/or other teachers create a mob mentality against Umbridge teachers {much like McGonagall…}.
Professor Slughorn – Defense Against the Dark Arts
“Horace likes his comfort. He also likes the company of the famous, the successful, and the powerful. He enjoys the feeling that he influences these people. He has never wanted to occupy the throne himself. He prefers the back-seat; there is more room to spread out.” – HBP
Every school has a Professor Sluhhorn. These teachers think of themselves as BFF with their students. They love to talk with students about their lives and their life. They sponsor clubs and events because it looks good. They collect cool students. Students whose parents are important, students that are good at their sports, students who are smart or witty, anything that makes them stand out in a crowd. Teachers like Slughorn know their subject and teach it well – none of these factors hinder their classes and lessons, they are a part of it. Actually Slughorn-like teachers often have high scores and well-behaved classes since every one wants to be liked by this teacher. If you’re a Slughorn teacher, remember your quiet students. They often want to be liked and acknowledged by you.
Dumbledore – Headmaster
“Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!” – SS
Lastly, our favorite weirdo administrator, Dumbledore. He’s such a character when you emit the craziness of his duties. Teachers like Dumbledore are always connecting to their students. They speak to EVERY ONE at their campus and know every one by name. They use weird cultural topics to breach conversations, and often try to keep up with what is going on so they can use it in a lesson or to build more relationships. This is what made Dumbledore such a great headmaster. He not only knew his teachers and students, he reached out to them regularly. If you’re a Dumbledore, keep on building relationships and supporting your coworkers and students!
Well, there you have it! I hope you were able to resonate with a certain Hogwart’s professor or several. One thing I did notice was that teachers at Hogwarts (at least the good ones) were very hands on. Experience is encouraged in the wizarding world. Something I think more of our students need.
Papers don’t make great wizards – experience does.
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