In the developed world, almost everyone attends school at some point in their lives. So it's only natural that a large number of TV shows (and movies and books, etc) center around the school experience. In reality, every teacher is different. On TV, however, teachers seem to always fall into one of the following categories:
Tropes:
- Apathetic Teacher
- Cool Teacher
- Drill Sergeant Nasty (the coach version)
- Evil Teacher
- Fired Teacher
- Hippie Teacher
- Hot Librarian
- Hot Teacher
- Misplaced Kindergarten Teacher
- Mysterious Teacher's Lounge
- Non-Giving-Up School Guy
- Politically Motivated Teacher
- Private Tutor
- Sadist Teacher
- Scary Librarian
- Schoolmarm
- School Nurse
- Sensei-chan
- Stern Teacher
- Teacher/Parent Romance
- Teachers out of School
- Teacher/Student Romance
- Teasing the Substitute Teacher
In terms of rank, the authority tropes arguably equal are Badass Preacher, Corrupt Corporate Executive, Irish Priest, Landlord, Preacher Man, Pedophile Priest, Sexy Priest, Sinister Minister and The Vicar. For the next step down, see Student Council President. For the next step up, see Dean Bitterman.