Dan Willingham has an amusing piece about former school teachers who made it big in other fields after leaving the classroom (Gene Simmons??!?), but he leaves out a few good ones. Let’s make it a challenge. On the following list, name the rock star who was NOT a teacher:
a. Art Garfunkel
b. Warren Zevon
c. Sting
d. Sheryl Crow
No, I’m not going to tell you the answers. Use those 21st century information literacy skills! Other famous former teachers: Clara Barton, Clarence Darrow, and Benito Mussolini.
Warren Zevon. Easy.
Comment by Mike — February 17, 2009 @ 7:43 pm
Well, don’t forget Lyndon Johnson!
Comment by Babbie — February 17, 2009 @ 11:26 pm
Multiple choice tests are not compatible with my learning style.
Comment by Dan Willingham — February 18, 2009 @ 9:54 am
I had to look Warren Zevon up on Wikipedia, is that 21st century enough for you?
Then I had “Werewolves of London” stuck in my head for the rest of the day!
Comment by Crimson Wife — February 18, 2009 @ 6:40 pm
I threw Zevon in there thinking he would throw people off with his erudition. I was amazed to learn that he never finished high school. The surprising one of the group is Sting. Once you know he was a teacher, you’ll never listen to “Don’t Stand So Close To Me” again without getting a little creeped out.
Comment by Robert Pondiscio — February 18, 2009 @ 6:45 pm