The University of Virginia is one of the best public schools in the country, often tying for second place with UCLA. Regularly called a "Public Ivy School," it is not a shock to most students that we have some of the best professors and faculty members in the country. While all of the professors here are highly gifted and incredibly intelligent, there are a select few members of the staff that reach the students on an entirely different level. They understand us, nurture us, and can make us laugh. These are the professors that you WANT to take a class with regardless of your major. Focusing mainly on the College of Arts and Sciences, I have devised a list of the professors you need to take a class with. Based off of ratings online, interviews with other students, and my own personal experiences, these are the top 10 UVA professors (ranked in no particular order):

1. Lisa Spaar

Lisa Spaar is one of the only professors from UVA with a 5.0 rating on www.ratemyprofessor.com. She is currently my advisor, and I wouldn't wish it any other way. Incredibly kind, approachable, and intellectual, Lisa is constantly there for her students. Her poetry workshops are invaluable to the budding writer and, honestly, who wouldn't want to take a class with a poetic genius? With over four poetry collections to her name, Lisa Spaar is definitely one of the best professors that UVA has to offer.

2. Gregory Orr

While I've never taken a class with him, many praise his teaching style and written work. He is the founder and first director of the MFA program at the University of Virginia. He also has been teaching at UVA since 1975. Not only is this man a legend, he's also a prolific poet. Gregory Orr has written 10 collections of poetry and has also won the Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. I hope to take one of his poetry workshops next semester because I wouldn't want to end my UVA career without one of his classes under my belt.

3. Jon Lendon

Jon Lendon is one of my favorite professors at UVA. If I could describe him in one word it would be: tenured. While his classes are difficult, they are extremely worth it. Even though I'm not a history major, his Greek Civilization class was one of my favorite classes I've ever taken. He's extremely wise, funny, and intelligent. If you don't like reading, don't take any of his classes. But you'll seriously regret it if you don't. You will actually learn in his classes and the information you learn will stay with you for the rest of your life. You want to know random facts about Greek systems of social class? I got you (but only because I took a class with Lendon)!

4. Gary Gallagher

Ah yes, another professor that I haven't taken a class with and seriously regret. As quoted by a fellow student: "Gallagher is a big d*ck who can hold his one class of the year at 8 a.m. and even then, it will fill up in a minute." Gary Gallagher is considered to be one of the best civil war scholars in the nation still teaching today. From what I've read and heard about him, he's incredibly funny and intelligent. His lectures are awesome and will stay with you for the rest of your life. While his classes require a lot of reading and hard work, Gary Gallagher is definitely a professor you'll want to take a class with.

5. Kenneth Elzinga

Even though I'm in my fourth year here at UVA, I'm just now taking microeconomics. Although Econ isn't my thing, Professor Elzinga definitely makes it entertaining and easy to follow. You'll have to put in a lot of work for this class but that's part of the reason why it's so rewarding. This man is a legend at UVA and you miss out on an integral UVA experience by not taking his class. Although his tests are hard and the grading can be specific, Elzinga makes it all worth it. Plus there's a large curve at the end of the class!

6. Stephen White

Another professor that I've never had and wish I had taken a class with. Stephen White is an extremely gifted professor that somehow can tie 500 years of history together and make it coherent for students. He's a phenomenal lecturer and the list of the many books and essays he has written seems endless. Definitely take a class with Professor White if you are interested in political theory and philosophy of social science.

7. Elizabeth Fowler

I absolutely love this professor so much. She is funny, kind, and extremely down to earth. On the first day of lecture, she was blasting Jimmy Hendrix from the front and that's one of the coolest things I've seen a professor do at UVA. She is unafraid to speak what she feels and is incredibly helpful to those who do not understand the material. Professor Fowler is extremely enthusiastic about what she teaches and you can feel that in the lecture. She makes you excited to read texts like Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and well-known works of literature like The Canterbury Tales. Definitely take this class if you want to have a good time, enjoy reading, and are a medievalist at heart.

8. Susan Fraiman

I am just taking my first class with Professor Fraiman this year and so far it has been great. She is an incredible lecturer and is one of the most intelligent people I have ever met. I was speaking to a fellow classmate about Professor Fraiman the other day and he said "You will always learn something in her classes. You can't not learn something from her class." And it's true. While the readings can be difficult to understand, Fraiman takes the time to dissect each reading and explain it in a way that is universal. She is a shining beacon of intelligence in the English department (not saying that the other professors are lacking) and while her classes can be difficult, they are absolutely worth it.

9. Paul Guest

Although Paul isn't a full-time professor and is considered to be an assistant professor, I still consider him as one of the most passionate and down to earth lecturers here at the University. I'm currently taking my Capstone in poetry with him and even though the class is two and a half hours long, I look forward to it every week. Paul Guest is an amazing poet, writer, and one of the most inspiring people I have met at UVA.

10. Sherri Moore

Sherri Moore is probably one of the more famous professors at UVA due to her outstanding level of kindness, helpfulness, and intelligence. She is known for not having office hours and keeping her office door open at all times instead. Professor Moore has an inspiring life story that she shares with her class on the last day of lecture. Even if you hate this class you should go just for the last day. Her classes are not easy A's. She makes you work for it and you'll be so thankful in the end. Definitely try to take Commercial Law 1 if you can – it'll be one of your favorite classes that you take here.

Although all of the professors at the University of Virginia are amazing in their own right, these are definitely the best professors at UVA. Perhaps I am biased with some of them and left out a professor that you love. Not all of us are perfect... but the professors I listed above are!