Although early seasons relied heavily on connections between Feeny’s lesson plans and the week’s message, the show thankfully moved away from that setup. After all, Feeny cared less about grades (aside from Topanga’s relentless focus on her perfect GPA) than about his students’ growth. To get results, Feeny relied on metaphors, thoughtful one-line retorts, and special out-of-class “projects.”

A Good Friend Is An Honest One

Mr. Feeny always said what he thought, but only if it helped the situation. And while Amy and Alan Matthews didn’t always want to hear their neighbor’s advice on raising their children, they knew George spoke the truth. He defended Cory and Topanga’s young love, badgered Eric “ten thousand times” about going to college, and encouraged Shawn to overcome his chaotic upbringing. (On the other hand, George delightfully never feared telling students when they were being “morons.”)

Be Yourself

Sure, there were moments when Mr. Feeny’s students decided they’d had enough of the veteran educator (seasons two through four featuring the leather-clad, poetry-reading, motorcycle-riding Jonathan Turner come to mind), but George Feeny didn’t care. Other teachers would have resorted to flashy new methods for popularity, but George stayed consistent. Of course, as a seasoned teacher, he’d learned to pull a few tricks himself.

Embrace Change And Take Risks

Feeny taught every grade level, every subject. Yes, he had the same students year after year (except for the rows of extras), but the man needed a lot of hutzpah to create all those lesson plans, even if it took a while for students to understand them.

Listen To Your Heart And Follow It

For a while, it seemed like every season cliffhanger involved Feeny planning his retirement and moving away from Philadelphia. And, yet, every season he’d return, having realized that his home and his heart was with his adopted family and in the classroom. Although he often preached to his students to follow their hearts, in season six, it took a lot of prodding from Eric before Feeny found love with Dean Bolander (the actor’s real-life wife).

Success Takes Time

It took seven years, 158 episodes, countless heart-to-heart talks, a marriage, and a move to New York for George Feeny to finally teach Cory Matthews how to navigate his world.

Love Changes Lives

And, last but not least, Mr. Feeny taught us that love sometimes takes on a unique language:

And sometimes it doesn’t need to be expressed for it to be felt.

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