Students are still reading the classics in classrooms across the nation, and around the world. And, it's likely that classics will remain on reading lists--as long as those works endure.

In a recent article for The Arizona Republic, Pat Kossan writes about some of the ways that teachers inspire students. Even with film clips and other tools, Kossan explains: "It takes the same hard work and enthusiasm from teachers to help students peel back the layers of literature to appreciate the art and the larger human issues it reveals."

How were you first inspired to read the classics? Did a teacher make the difference, or did you discover/rediscover the classics on your own?