Many teachers have a positive influence on their students and sometimes the good they do can be overlooked.

This week the Examiner asked members of the public who their favourite teachers from their primary or high school years were.

’I quite liked all of my teachers in primary and secondary school,’ said Alex Hamilton, 18, from Douglas.

He attended Cronk y Berry primary and before going on to St Ninian’s High School in Douglas where one of his teachers inspired him to enjoy economics -a subject he once dreaded.

’I used to play football with one of my teachers, Mr (Stephen) Edwards, who taught me economics. Because we were in the same club, Gymns FC, I challenged myself in economics.

’I got a C in economics when I was predicted an E.’

Alex is now starting a degree at the University College Isle of Man in business management.

Emma Carr, 36, from Kirk Michael, said: ’Miss Fryer, from my time in Braddan primary. She’s the only teacher I can remember because she used to sing this strange song before lunch. I still remember the words!

’Her voice was louder than anyone else. She was ace! We all respected her.’

Marcus Dixon, 28, from Port Erin, said: ’Mr (Ray) Lakeman. He was my year five teacher at Rushen School.

’He is the first teacher that I remember. I don’t know what it was with my year group, but we had so many temporary substitute teachers in years three and four.

’He just seemed to care and tried to connect with each of his students. He would tailor stuff to that kid or a group to make lessons more engaging.

’He helped me out a lot with my maths and now I work in an investment company. He kept that interest there. It was very nice to have that much care.’

Alex Kenny, 23, from Farmhill, said: ’Mrs Kelly at Castle Rushen High School.

’She taught psychology and that’s what I went on to study at university. She inspired my interest.

’She was really patient because it was a new subject at the time and you could tell she really enjoyed it herself and she passed on that enthusiasm.’

Alex added that she hopes to become a counsellor in future.

Her friend, Ellie Harrison, 23, from Castletown, said: ’Miss Chapman at Castle Rushen High School. She was my English teacher. I was predicted a D and she got me two Bs.

’She was very patient - I wasn’t the best behaved student - and she levelled with me and pointed me in the right direction.

’I did business studies as well as English and I remember her telling me I had a talent in business studies. She could tell I really enjoyed it.’

Sam Sleight, 24, from Colby, said: ’Mr Booth who taught geology at Castle Rushen.

’He was a fun teacher who had quite a laid back teaching style. He always taught above what we needed to do. The studies were more interesting and more advanced.

’We had a small class which helped because it was a more personal teaching style. I had him all the way through my GCSE and A-Levels.’

Sam went on to study geology at university and is now working at Conister Bank.