With this new up coming film I though it would be prudent for an educator, like myself, to examine movies from the past, ranking them accordingly. Here is my Top Ten Teacher Movie List, handcrafted for your enjoyment.
10. Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
Who could ever forget Jeff Spicoli, played by Sean Penn, ordering a pizza during class or the beautiful Phoebe Cates climbing out of that swimming pool. The best piece of advice from this film was whenever you are making out with a girl to, whenever possible, put on side one of Led Zeppelin IV. Aloha, Mr. Hand.
9. School of Rock (2003)
Jack Black stars as washed up rock n’roller, Dewey Finn, posing as a substitute teacher at a very prestigious private school. He may know nothing about history, but he makes up for it in awesomeness. This movie doesn’t show a teacher with the most knowledge, but it does show a teacher’s ability to captivate his class and teach despite himself. I love this film because Led Zeppelin allowed the use of their great song "Immigrant Song."
8. To Sir, With Love (1967)
Mark Thackeray, played by the great Sidney Poitier, is an engineer taking on a teaching job until something better comes along. The plot is formulaic, but it is very well done, a female student becomes attracted to Thackeray and he must deal with the toughest student in the school. Eventually the students learn to respect Thackeray and themselves.
7. Dangerous Minds (1995)
Based on the true story of former Marine LouAnne Johnson, Dangerous Minds shows that at times the unconventional lesson does work. Michelle Pfeiffer does well enough in portraying LouAnne, but it is the source material that makes this movie so compelling. Educators are always looking for creative ways to reach students and this movie shows those struggles exactly.
This particular film won’t make many top ten lists, but it holds a special place in my heart, I enjoy seeing a principal kick some student ass. James Belushi stars as Rick Latimer, a drunk-teacher-turned-principal, in one of the worst schools in his district. The student population has a survival first attitude, with learning a distant second. Latimer turns ups his first day and says, "No More", in hopes to end the drug use and violence that run rampant in the hallways.
5. Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995)
This is a wonderful movie about a talented musician who's desire was to be a professional composer, but instead spends his life teaching students the joy of music. Richard Dreyfuss is wonderful as Mr. Holland, showing the struggles of a man who desires more for his life and doesn’t realize he has all that he needs. I relate more to this film than any other on this list, because I too am a teacher by chance.
4. Dead Poets Society (1989)
Numerous teachers, myself included, have desired to emulate Robin Williams' character in this flick, however we do not have screen writers or producers to assist us in our endeavors. I have tried using the line, “You may call me O’Captain, My Captain” in class, but the humor is usually lost on students who have not seen this film. Even though this movie wholly unrealistic, it is still one of the most inspiring teacher films of record, calling all of us to "Carpe Diem, Seize The Day."
3. Stand and Deliver (1988)
Stand and Deliver follows the true story of a math teacher in a predominately hispanic community and his efforts to turn the gang-bangers and no-hopers around through the use of math. This seems like one of the most unlikely stories, as I don’t know many people who enjoy math, but Jaime Escalante, portrayed by Edward James Olmos, uses math as his weapon of choice. Escalante helps the students pull such a fast 180 that he and his students are accused of cheating on the national AP Exam. I love this movie because it shows an uncompromising teacher, constantly raising his level of expectation for his students, without backing down.
Morgan Freeman stars as Joe Clark, a tough principal tasked with raising test schools and improving overall academic performance at the worst high school, Eastside High, in Paterson, New Jersey. Clark uses unconventional methods to increase school pride and improve behavior in an effort to improve the schools test schools. He goes so far as to chain the doors of the building to keep the bad elements out, while keeping the good students safe.
1. Teachers (1984)
By most accounts Teachers should not be the best movie on this list, but in my opinion it contains more actual truths about education than any other film on the list or for that matter education film I’ve seen. Nick Nolte plays Alex Jurel, a teacher who has all but given up on the education system and his students. He decides to give it one last try, buck the system and teach. Jurel is surround by a group of teachers fighting over ditto machines, sleeping in class, and a gym teacher sleeping with students. For good measure an outpatient from a local mental hospital take a substitute job, dressing up as historical figures to teach his classes.
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