Teaching can be a difficult profession that takes considerable dedication. Teachers must seek innovative strategies that make dull subjects exciting for students.
Cartoon concept teaching strategies have demonstrated positive effects on students’ discussion skills, interest, and motivation in science learning through various previous studies. This research seeks to evaluate how using cartoon videos affects problem-based learning processes.
Seymour Skinner
Skinner may appear as an authoritarian disciplinarian, yet is rather spineless. His naivete often leads him into trouble and he finds swearing, crime, and sexual topics particularly uncomfortable (he remained a virgin until his 40s). Additionally, he’s an incessant mother’s boy and finds it difficult to function without her.
Skinner tends towards military-style discipline and an austere approach when running Springfield Elementary School, likely as a result of his military background as a drill sergeant. Due to these experiences, he may be wary of trusting anyone, particularly Bart Simpson who often tricks him.
In “The Principal and the Pauper”, it was revealed that Skinner is Armin Tamzarian from Springfield, Illinois. After becoming a soldier he met Seymour Skinner (real name Armin Tamzarian), who died during the Vietnam War and this encounter caused Skinner to change into who he currently is today.
He is an extremely intelligent individual and often displays impressive abilities. In one skit he tracked Bart Simpson throughout town without leaving a trace, crossing rivers, and walking across concrete bridges without getting wet or injured in the process. Furthermore, he is an exceptional teacher as evidenced in an episode when he and Superintendent Chalmers set up a trap for truants that involves placing them together with a giant snake in a room together.
Skinner develops an intense romantic interest in music teacher Edna Krabappel, whom he often mocks and taunts under the nickname of “Spanky”. Additionally, he had a brief affair with Patty Bouvier – Bart’s girlfriend at that time.
Skinner may try to portray himself as tough, but in truth, he is often very soft-spoken and nervous around his mother and the unfriendly superintendent. Additionally, he is extremely sensitive, often becoming upset when people comment upon his naivete or poor choices; and has an unstable relationship with his mother (who still lives with him and constantly berates him), yet remains Springfield’s top teacher by going the extra mile for his students.
Ms. Frizzle
The Magic School Bus is a cartoon series featuring teacher Ms. Frizzle and her class of students on field trips in their beat-up yellow school bus which can transform into various modes of transportation such as submarine or spaceship – teaching science through direct experience! The series has become immensely popular worldwide, selling over 93 million books worldwide! Furthermore, two television adaptations were produced: Lily Tomlin won a Daytime Emmy for playing Ms. Frizzle while Kate McKinnon reprised this role for Ms. Fiona Frizzle in the 2017 Netflix series adaptation!
Ms. Frizzle is a passionate teacher eager to teach her students new things. While her methods may seem unconventional, Ms. Frizzle makes learning enjoyable by encouraging independent thinking and problem-solving without coddling them; and teaching children the value of trying new things and making mistakes without fear. The show also emphasizes the value of accepting errors as part of life experience and being open-minded when making choices.
She is also an exceptional athlete, winning the Teacherathlon competition in one episode and being able to perform back flips and unicycle on the bus while riding it. Additionally, she is smart and resourceful; many of her students often seek her advice.
The Magic School Bus books combine facts with stories entertainingly and educationally for children, using vivid illustrations to make subjects easy for young minds to grasp. Joanna Cole and illustrator Bruce Degen drew their inspiration for creating characters from several real educators they encountered when creating these unique tales, hoping to craft characters who are both intelligent yet whimsical at once.
Ms. Frizzle and her class may seem eccentric at times, but they take field trips very seriously. While some students get in trouble on field trips, Ms. Frizzle always encourages her pupils to think their way out of any sticky situations using reasoning skills and critical thinking skills.
The writers of The Magic School Bus also sought to make it more female-oriented, which was an emerging trend at that time in education. 51% of its student body are girls while most teachers are women and Ms. Frizzle even has her pet lizard named Liz as part of her show!
Mr. Simmons
Cartoon and teaching fans may have come across this hilarious video clip of a teacher lecturing on a chalkboard, dressed in an eye-catching green sweater vest, white blouse, and red tie ensemble. Her slight protruding belly and blonde locks brushed back into a ponytail provide some additional comic relief while she also boasts two color books sitting nearby as a flower decorates her backdrop.
Miss Frizzle is a dedicated teacher whose passion and enthusiasm for her subject make her an inspiring figure among students. Their students look up to her, often mirroring her behavior and imitating Miss Frizzle’s mannerisms. Miss Frizzle represents an excellent educator who encourages taking risks while learning from mistakes made along the way.
Edna Krabappel from The Simpsons stands out as another teacher cartoon. Her fourth-grade students depend on her for guidance and support; although sometimes their mischief gets in her way, beneath her sarcastic exterior lies a deeply committed teacher who cares deeply about the wellbeing and education of her pupils.
Mr. Mackey from South Park provides another fine example of an understanding educator. Despite his unusual appearance and unique speech pattern, he truly cares for his pupils’ needs despite any obstacles in the way of education. This character serves as an important reminder that even unconventional educators can still provide effective educational experiences for their pupils.
Mr. Nigel Ratburn from Arthur is an example of an effective yet rigorous educator. While he may yell at his students from time to time and be obsessed with puppetry, ultimately his dedication and care for his pupils becomes clear. Plus he’s got quite the sweet tooth; an endearing character that encourages kids to embrace healthy food!
Miss Simian from The Amazing World of Gumball stands out as an impressive teacher cartoon, due to her competitive and fiercely rivalrous relationship with Darwin and Gumball. However, her sarcastic demeanor highlights potential hazards associated with teaching as well as emphasizing the necessity of treating your students with care.
Miss Othmar
Miss Othmar is one of the few teachers (and adults) featured in both the Peanuts comic strip and TV show. Linus Van Pelt loves her as one of his teachers; although never actually seen, her distinctive trombone-sounding voice remains one of the most memorable voices in cartoon history.
Miss Othmar often plans her lessons around something simple like using eggshells to build model igloos, for instance. While this works fine for her more capable students, Linus often forgets his eggshells at school and must repeat her lesson multiple times over. When this occurs she berates him for lack of creativity, preparation, and initiative on his part.
When students in her class ask her questions, she responds with nonsensical statements that completely escape their understanding. Charlie Brown often finds himself being chosen by Mrs. Beagle to use chalkboard erasers hammering, leading him to inhale so much chalk dust he is left coughing for days.
She may chasten students at times, but students love Mrs. Crane as one of their only consistent sources and rely upon her to give them the tools needed to succeed in school. Though her methods might not always be optimal, Mrs. Crane is the only person they have.
Children from her neighborhood turn to her for advice and assistance with their issues, which isn’t always beneficial; more often she worsens them; for instance, she tells Peppermint Patty not to pursue Linus because he thinks of himself as an animated doll.
Miss Othmar continued teaching despite her poor reputation, although she was replaced by Miss Halverson in 1969. It is unknown if any similar pedagogy existed between Miss Othmar and Miss Halverson.
