Springfield Elementary School

:This article is about the fictitious Springfield Elementary School in the television program "The Simpsons." There are also many real Springfield Elementary Schools in the United States.

Administration

Seymour Skinner

Voiced by Harry Shearer, Skinner is the prototypical educational bureaucrat, constantly concerned with a low-grade battle against the school's inadequate resources, apathetic, bitter teachers, and largely rowdy and unenthusiastic students--Bart being the standout example. Skinner often tries to exploit Lisa's genius to make the school look good. His father fought on Abe Simpson's World War Two squad.

Related Topics:
Harry Shearer - Abe Simpson - World War Two squad

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Seymour Skinner's personal history, like that of many Simpsons characters, is somewhat convoluted. It was long known that he was a Vietnam War veteran, having served as a prisoner of war for many years (he often goes into lapses on how he was mistreated). He leads the life of a bachelor, living alone with his domineering elderly mother (his father having passed away). However, in an episode devoted to filling in the character's backstory, it was revealed that Skinner actually is an impostor, having stolen the identity of his platoon sergeant at the end of the war. Seymour's real name is Armen Tamzarian and he was a troublesome orphan until he joined the military. Believing the real Skinner to have been killed, Tamzarian returned to Springfield and assumed his identity to comfort his mother. However, at the end of the episode, Judge Snyder granted Tamzarian Skinner's name, past, present, future, and mother, and decreed that no one should mention his real identity again under penalty of torture. This storyline bears some resemblance to the tale of Martin Guerre. Many fans consider this to be one of the worst episodes ever. The Simpsons writers have mocked the subsequent inconsistencies themselves in later episodes, most notably when Lisa buys Snowball IV but says that "To save money on a new dish, I'll call you Snowball II." Skinner walks and claims "Isn't that a cheat?", to which Lisa replies "I guess it is, Principal Tamzarian."

Related Topics:
Vietnam War - Prisoner of war - Martin Guerre

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In the first few seasons, Skinner resembled Norman Bates, the main charcter from the Hitchcock film Psycho. Though this has been dropped, there are still hints, such as the house he lives in and his overbearing mother. He may be named for behavioral psychologist B.F. Skinner, whose work is often studied by professional educators.

Related Topics:
Norman Bates - Hitchcock - Psycho - B.F. Skinner

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In later seasons Skinner and Edna Krabappel started dating, and later got engaged. Later again they broke up, although it has been hinted that he still wants her and they may get back together in the future. He still lives at home with his mother, Agnes Skinner.

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Also, Principal Skinner bears a striking resemblance to principal Richard Vernon from the movie The Breakfast Club.

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His age has been referred to twice. Bart Simpson stated his age as 40, whereas Kent Brockman says he is 44. He was born in the year 1953.

Related Topics:
Kent Brockman - 1953

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Skinner is actually balding. He managed to conceal his bald patch with a wig.

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Superintendent Chalmers

Chalmers, voiced by Hank Azaria, is the superintendent of Springfield's school district. Whenever he visits the school, some sort of disaster strikes. He produces extreme cases of anxiety in Principal Skinner, who offers increasingly improbable stories to explain what is happening. Chalmers is known for yelling "SKINN-ER!!" (in fact, as shown in an episode in the future, he is a vegetable, only capable of saying his trademark line). In several episodes, he was seen dating Agnes Skinner (much to Seymour's dismay), although he is married.

Related Topics:
Hank Azaria - Vegetable - Agnes Skinner

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He is a proud owner of a red 1979 Honda Accord, and was deeply saddened when Nelson Muntz stole its hood ornament.

Related Topics:
Red - 1979 - Honda Accord - Nelson Muntz

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Leopold

Voiced by Dan Castellaneta, Leopold was Superintendent Chalmers' assistant. He was a surly, snarling one-trick pony; when Principal Skinner had to be temporarily replaced, Leopold stomped in, issued vague threats, and terrified the children, making them think he was the replacement, and then suddenly and politely introduced the actual substitute. The children then collectively sighed with relief.

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