Today is the anniversary of the birth of Thomas Jackson, a man who was a much better general than teacher. Here is a cute story from his teaching career.
Stonewall Jackson was one of the greatest generals in American History, but he was one of the worst teachers, too. After heroically serving in the Mexican War, but before the Civil War, he spent some time as a teacher at Virginia Military Institute. He was terrible and his students hated him. He was strict and required a lot. And he sucked at teaching. He would memorize his lecture and recite it nonstop. If anyone interrupted him, like asking a question, he would start all over again. (I bet they learned quickly not to ask questions.) One day, as he was walking on campus, a student dropped brick on his head. He missed and it just brushed his hat. Jackson did not even look up, he just kept walking. A few inches to the left and the Confederacy would not have had its second best general and the war probably would not have lasted as long. Ironically, some of his VMI students were happy to serve under him in the war.
– Shenkman 100
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