How is Mr. Keating different from the other teachers?

John Keating is an ex-student of the school who has already lost many jobs. He attracts the students attention by asking them to address him as 'Oh captain,my captain.' He also attracts the attention of the teaching faculty by encouraging the students to stand on their desks, rip their textbook and develop their own walk. Mr. Keating urges his students to view English and poetry as something necessary for life other than a mundane school subject.

Mr. Keating uses his unconventional ideas to negate the 4 pillars of Welton Academy and represents the progressive ideas that were rejected in 1950's England.