Our Miss Brooks

Unmarried, sarcastic English literature and grammar teacher who uses wit to navigate romance and school politics. She tutors Gary Nolan to help him improve, and becomes entangled in the dynamics between Phillip Boynton and Lawrence Nolan. Her world-weary charm and practical intelligence drive the plot and its resolutions, including the zoo-set finale where a ring is stolen by a chimpanzee.

Handsome, athletic biology teacher who enjoys a long, friendship-based relationship with Connie Brooks but is slow to commit. His jealousy sparks misunderstandings as Nolan shifts his affections toward Brooks, prompting a more earnest display of affection and a final proposal. He also surprises with a practical plan to help his mother by buying a home, which becomes a key plot turn.

A student who performs poorly until Connie Brooks tutors him, leading to a positive change in his behavior and outlook. His improved demeanor enables his father to pursue a closer relationship with Miss Brooks, inadvertently complicating the romance subplot. Gary's progress reflects the broader themes of mentorship and personal growth.

Wealthy local newspaper publisher and Gary’s father who initially hires Brooks to tutor his son and then brazenly pursues a romance with her. His involvement illustrates how affluence and media influence shape personal choices and town dynamics. His outward charm masks a set of ambitions that intersect with family and school affairs.

The martinet high school principal whose political ambitions drive part of the plot. He campaigns for a higher office, leveraging Brooks to support his bid, before withdrawing when the pay isn’t worth it. His iron-willed demeanor provides a comedic counterpoint to the town’s more romantic and compassionate moments.

The superintendent who critiques Conklin and serves as the political counterpart in the election plot. He becomes a testing ground for Brooks’s strategies and demonstrates the friction between educational leadership and personal popularity. Stone’s perspective anchors the institutional side of the story.

Lawrence Nolan’s mother, whose loneliness and psychosomatic illnesses drive the subplot about family and care. She moves in with Miss Brooks, affecting the personal dynamics of the main characters and ultimately guiding the resolution. Her presence adds warmth and a familial dimension to the story.

Eccentric landlady whose quirky behavior provides comic relief and a homey backdrop for the protagonists. Her interactions help integrate Miss Brooks into the town’s social fabric and keep the mood light during tense moments. She represents the unconventional wisdom of the town’s older generation.

The young daughter of Osgood Conklin, a minor but present character who adds a touch of school-life realism and humor to the story. Harriet’s presence highlights the everyday consequences of adult decisions within the town’s microcosm. Her role helps to round out the ensemble cast with a youthful perspective.