Every State’s Favorite Fictional Teacher

From Hogwarts to high school hallways, the fictional teachers we grew up watching have left lasting impressions – offering life lessons, second chances, and plenty of quotable one-liners along the way. Whether they taught science with sparkles and chaos (looking at you, Ms. Frizzle) or demanded perfection in the band room (yes, we’re still nervous around Terence Fletcher), these pop culture educators reflect the kind of mentors we admire, fear, or secretly wish we had. But which fictional teacher has earned top marks with today’s audiences?

To find out, we turned to Google Trends. By analyzing search interest across all 50 states, we identified each state's most searched-for fictional teacher – spanning over 30 iconic characters from film and television. The results include inspiring musicians, strict disciplinarians, and even a Jedi or two. And the diversity of favorites says as much about us as it does about them.

Let’s take a look at which fictional educators rule the classroom – and the internet – state by state.

The Most Popular Fictional Teachers in the U.S.

Here are the five characters who claimed the most states in our Google Trends analysis:

Joe Gardner (Soul) – Most Searched in 9 States

Pixar’s Joe Gardner – a middle school band teacher with dreams of playing jazz professionally – topped search interest in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Washington.

Joe’s story, filled with quiet ambition, creative spark, and existential wonder, resonated deeply across the U.S., especially in states with large urban populations and vibrant music scenes.

Why He's So Loved:

• Represents the everyday artist trying to balance passion and purpose

• Highlights music’s power to connect, heal, and transform

• Encourages reflection on what gives life meaning – beyond just achievement

Professor X (X-Men) – Most Searched in 8 States

As founder of Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, Professor Charles Xavier mentors young mutants through strength, empathy, and the ethical challenges of power. He ranked highest in Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Minnesota, Nevada, North Dakota, and Texas.

His combination of authority, telepathy, and unwavering belief in peaceful coexistence clearly struck a chord with audiences across diverse regions.

Why He's So Loved:

• A symbol of compassionate leadership in times of conflict

• Connects with fans of science fiction and comic lore

• Embodies themes of acceptance, mentorship, and responsibility

Miss Honey (Matilda) – Most Searched in 6 States

Kind, gentle, and endlessly supportive, Miss Honey from Matilda was the top pick in Alabama, Kentucky, Nebraska, New York, Oregon, and Tennessee.

Her unwavering belief in her students and quiet resistance to authority struck an emotional chord – especially in states where warmth and integrity are highly valued traits.

Why She's So Loved:

• A nurturing figure who believes in every child’s potential

• Represents quiet courage in the face of cruelty

• A favorite among fans of classic children’s literature and film

** Dewey Finn (School of Rock) – Most Searched in 4 States **

The rockstar-turned-substitute teacher from School of Rock found his fan base in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and North Carolina.

With chaotic energy and a deep belief in musical expression, Dewey embodies the idea that the best learning doesn’t always come from a textbook.

Why He's So Loved:

• Shows how passion can break through traditional educational walls

• A fan favorite for his rebellious, unfiltered energy

• Appeals to anyone who believes learning should also be fun

Miss Trunchbull (Matilda) – Most Searched in 3 States

Surprisingly, the terrifying headmistress of Matilda was the top result in Iowa, South Dakota, and Wisconsin – perhaps a nod to the cultural staying power of villains.

While she’s the opposite of a role model, her presence on this list speaks to the impact of strong character design and unforgettable performances.

Why She's So Loved (or Feared):

• A memorable antagonist with iconic scenes and quotes

• Symbolizes the classic “villain you love to hate”

• Reflects the power of storytelling to make even the darkest characters unforgettable

Other state-level surprises? Yoda took the top spot in Vermont, Walter White reigned in New Mexico, and Ms. Darbus of High School Musical was #1 in Wyoming – proving that a great fictional teacher can come from anywhere, galaxy or otherwise.

Regional Highlights: The Teachers Who Defined Each Corner of the Country

West: Professor X

In a region known for embracing individualism and progress, it’s no surprise that a leader who teaches acceptance, harnesses inner strength, and fosters diversity resonates so strongly.

South: Miss Honey

In the South, where values like kindness, humility, and loyalty often define interpersonal relationships, Miss Honey emerged as the top choice.

Her patient, soft-spoken style and unwavering care for her students highlight how deeply Southern audiences value nurturing mentorship and quiet strength.

Midwest: Dewey Finn

The Midwest gravitated toward the unlikely educator from School of Rock, Dewey Finn.

In a region celebrated for hard work, local pride, and do-it-yourself creativity, Dewey’s chaotic charm and passion for music education hit all the right notes.

Northeast: Joe Gardner

In the fast-paced, culturally layered Northeast, Joe Gardner captured the most attention.

The Northeast’s strong ties to music, education, and introspection made Joe’s soulful search for purpose especially resonant.

Closing Thoughts

Whether they wield chalk, play jazz riffs, possess telepathy, or offer tough love, fictional teachers leave a lasting mark not just because of what they teach – but because of how they make us feel. Characters like Joe Gardner and Miss Honey remind us of the gentle encouragement that can change a life, while icons like Professor X and Miss Trunchbull show that strength, for better or worse, shapes the learning journey too.

These educators reflect real mentors we’ve known who helped us see the world differently and believe in our own potential. They remind us that great teaching isn’t about perfection, but about passion, purpose, and presence.

At Mountainside Music Academy, we believe in the same power of mentorship. Whether you're picking up an instrument for the first time or rediscovering your musical voice, our instructors are here to guide you – just like your favorite fictional teachers, but with real lessons and real results. Ready to meet your creative guide? Explore music lessons in Boulder and beyond today.

Methodology

To determine the most popular fictional teacher in every U.S. state, we began by compiling a list of more than 30 well-known fictional educators from television and film. To ensure a broad and culturally relevant list, we drew from curated sources such as Ranker, Arapahoe Libraries, and Yardbarker.

With this list in hand, we used Google Trends to analyze relative search interest in each character from July 2024 to July 2025 across all 50 states. Google Trends provides normalized interest data, which allowed us to identify the fictional teacher with the highest peak search popularity in each state. We then ranked teachers based on the number of states in which they were the most searched, helping to reveal broader regional and national trends.