According to a Times Education Supplement survey of 1,200 educators, two characters from the Harry¹ Potter series grabbed prominent places in education's 50 favourite fictional² teachers.

《泰晤士报教育增刊》调查了1200名教育工作者后发现，50个最受教育界欢迎的虚构教师角色中，哈利波特系列中的两个人物名列前茅。

Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft³ and Wizardry, topped the poll. "Albus Dumbledore was never proud or vain; he could find something to value in anyone, however apparently⁴ insignificant⁵ or wretched. That he was the most inspiring and the best loved of all Hogwarts headmasters cannot be in question," Elphias Doge said of Dumbledore in his obituary⁶.

In second place was beloved Miss Jennifer Honey from the Roald Dahl classic Matilda. "She was a mild and quiet person who never raised her voice and was seldom seen to smile, but there is no doubt she possessed⁷ that rare gift for being adored by every small child under her care," wrote Dahl.

And the students' adoration⁸ of her transforms them into willing learners. On the first day of school, only a few of students could spell "cat". With Miss Honey's exceptional teaching prowess, by Thursday of the first week, even one of the classes' weaker students, Prudence⁹, could spell "difficulty" without any difficulty.

And in complete contrast, tough-but-fair Professor Minerva McGonagall, head of Gryffindor House and deputy headmistress also at Hogwarts, placed third on the list.

Fourth was John Keating, played by the late Robin¹⁰ Williams in the film Dead Poets Society, who inspired students through poetry. In direct contrast to the school goal of preparing students for college, Keating taught his students that occupations were noble pursuits to sustain life, but passion is the reason to live. He encouraged his students to look at things differently when they thought they knew something. "Even though it may seem silly, or wrong, you must try," he advised.

In the book Keeping Good Teachers, Mark Goldberg offers observations about the key characteristics of great teachers. These fictional teachers who have endeared all exemplified the qualities of "willingness to put in the necessary time", a "love for the age group they teach" and an "in-depth content knowledge".

Now, whom do I consider the most inspirational of all fictional teachers? Without a doubt, Yoda, the Jedi master from Star Wars. Great teachers are unique. They transcend¹¹ race, nationality and species.

Yoda's key teachings are lessons for a lifetime: "A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defence, never for attack"; "Adventure, excitement - a Jedi craves¹² not these things"; and "Unlearn what you have learned", because old habits preclude¹³ new learning.

However, Yoda's most memorable¹⁴ quote is one of the last he gives to the young Luke Skywalker. It is especially invaluable¹⁵ to students as they begin this academic year. If they want to succeed, they need to give their best. "Do. Or do not. There is no try."