It is back-to-school time! As the kids are getting comfortable in their new grade, making new friends, and meeting their new teachers, we reminisced about all the great teachers we had growing up!

The best teachers can leave their mark on you long after you have been out of their classroom! On Wednesday, September 20th, we invited players to tell us about their favorite teachers and how they impacted their lives. Did they encourage you to chase after your dreams? Were they that one person you could go to for advice? Did they teach your favorite subject or push you to be the best you could? We wanted to hear about it and you did not disappoint!

We enjoyed sorting through the thousands of entries and reading all about how teachers impacted your lives long after your days of grade school and college! Although we cannot share everyone’s favorite teacher, you can see what some of your fellow High 5-ers had to say below:

Harley F. – Austin, TX
Mr. Brenholtz – Mr. B was my fifth-grade teacher out in West Texas. He was pretty young and very concerned for his students. Mr. B got us to buddy with the 1st graders and provide them with mentorship and little programs we designed ourselves. He had a great sense of humor and taught us to speak in public without fear. We learned all the usual classwork but more importantly, we learned to interact with each other and the community. A really great gentleman, Mr. B. later became the Superintendent.

Lois T. – Owego, NY
Miss Pratt – Miss Pratt was my 6th-grade teacher in the 1960s when young girls were expected to be nurses, teachers or secretaries. Yes, she was a teacher but she empowered the girls in her class to excel and become interested in math and science before STEM was even an acronym. To be honest, I did not really work in a profession that requires strong math and science skills. I took business classes and eventually became an editor. Nevertheless, I have always remembered Miss Pratt and her ability to encourage students.

Mary B. Mabelvale, AR
Ms. Terry- n 1966 I was in the third grade & MS Terry was my amazing teacher. She wore colorful clothes, a bandanna tied around her long brown hair. She was very young, about 23, but to me, she was a beautiful woman. She had us do mock elections to show us how important our vote was and would always be. I have always voted since I was 18 & will continue. She taught us not to litter because someday our earth would become polluted with it. Therefore, she taught us to respect our earth. To this day, I do not litter.

Joanne S. – Dolgeville, NY
Mrs. Gaylord- MS Gaylord was my 8th-grade homeroom teacher and my English teacher. She was the kindest, sweetest teacher. She always understood exactly what we were having trouble with and would give us the extra help without worrying about what the clock said. I will never forget her because she left a lasting imprint on my soul. May you rest in peace, Mrs. Gaylord.

Clifford H. – Rolla, ND
Mrs. Herman- My mother was never any of my personal teachers in school but she taught me a lot at home about respect, and love and to this day she will remain my favorite teacher and she was a schoolteacher she taught 2nd and 3rd grade for many years.

Eric K. – Onsted, MI
Mr. Budek- Science was really not my most favorite subject in the world but Mr. Budek made it fun to learn. Was always there for his students inside and outside the classroom. Can remember a time when my parents went to parent-teacher conferences and went up to meet him and he said to them “why you are here your kids are the best and always ready to learn”. Had some issues with other kids and he had seen this go on. He asked my sister who they were and everything stopped. Always admired him for that.

Make sure to check if you are one of the 100 lucky winners today in the list below! All winners have received 200K free High 5 Casino Coins in their casino lobby!

Congratulations to you all!
Juanita G. – Wayland, MO
Clifford H. – Rolla, ND
Ellen R. – Indianapolis, IN
Debbie H. – Stanwood, WA
Denise H. – Erie, PA
Rhonda B. – Talihina, OK
Diane B. – Ontario, CA
Linda L. – Culleoka, TN
Becky H. – St.johnsville, NY
Alleen M. – Corinth, KY
Patricia D. – Lanham, MD
Harley F. – Austin, TX
Guillermo C. – Lima, Peru
Piathis L. – Metairie, LA
Lois T. – Owego, NY
Gabriel B. – Querétaro, Mexico
Matthew W. – Winona, MN
Zulma P. – Ucacha, Córdoba, Argentina
Darlene H. – Morrisville, PA
Kelly L. – Azusa, VA
Elena N. – Mexico City, México
Sarah P. – Grove City, PA
Libba M. – North Richland Hills, TX
Tim S. – Oil City, PN
Glenda L. – Centralia, IL
Catherine H. – Boonton, NJ
Mary R. – Tucson, AZ
Ann D. – Delavan, WI
Nancy H. – Albany, OR
Jewell L. – Frankfort, OH
Pamela T. – Tulsa, OK
Linda H. – Canon City, CO
John M. – Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Tina S. – Independence, KS
Deborah T. – Grants, NM
Eric P. – West Bend, WI
Veronica S. – Plymouth, MI
Dolores L. – Sarasota, Florida
Joyce C. – Bakersfield, CA
Sandi E. – Snohomish, WA
Chris-Ethel W. – Eureka, CA
Ivic B. – Quezon City, Philippines
Sally F. – Colorado Springs, CO
Alicia B. – Kansas City, KS
Linda P. – Fort Myers, FL
Robin M. – Goodyear, AZ
Mary B. – Mabelvale, AR
Robin R. – Urbana, IL
Stacy T. – Coffeyville, KA
Lorraine S. – Vaughn, WA
Eric K. – Onsted, MI
Nelson T. – St Jean Sur Richelieu, Quebec, Canada
Pat C. – Summerfield, FL
Nancy D. – Cherry Hill, NJ
Marie H. – Porter Ranch, CA
Ruben F. – Libertad, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Gigi M. – Miami, FL
Thea H. – Friesland, Netherlands
Malvina M. – Caracas, Baruta, Venezuela
Cathy S. – New Philadelphia, OH
Cynthia A. – Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Eduardo R. – Montevideo, Uruguay
Arlene O. – Salmon, British Columbia, Canada
Leisa B. – Arapahoe, NE
Joanne S. – Dolgeville, NY
Denise S. – Kirkland, WA
Mari L. – Lakewood, WA
Jeff A. – Everett, WA
Kathy P. – Maple, MN
Gloria B. – Bowie, MD
Rebecca Y. – Blue Springs, MO
Dani T. – Lansing, MI
Wendy b. – Eastlake, OH
Madeline S. – Oil City, PA
Rose D. – Canajoharie, NY
Charlotte W. – Albuquerque, NM
Pattie P. – Bonney Lake, WA
Kayla C. – Wichita, KS
Mary T. – Coleman, MI
Edith K. – Cagua, Maracay, Venezuela
Susan I. – Bullhead City, AZ
Rose H. – San Pedro, CA
Diane M. – Carneys Point, NJ
Shelly S. – Blaine, WA
Sandi B. – Fort Davis, TX
Dee M. – North Bend, WA
Pamela J. – Robinsonville, MS
Sharon S. – Detroit, MI
Deborah M. – Rocky Ford, CO
Dave C. – Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Sandi M. – Rimrock, AZ
Armando G. – Bellflower, CA
Karen D. – Warwick, RI
Denise-Jean D. – Las Vegas, NV
Shannon A. – Warren, MI
Rebecca C. – Hugoton, KS
Tom D. – Canajoharie, NY
Sunni R. – Holdenville, OK
Audrey J. – Las Vegas, NV
Loraine M. – Tacoma, WA

What kind of contest would you like to see at High 5 Casino? Comment in the conversation bubble located on the top right of the blog post to let us know!