My Love/Hate Relationship with Teacher Hero Movies
One of my favorite past times is snuggling up on the couch and watching a feel-good movie. What is even more exciting is when a movie about education and/or an amazing teacher comes out and I can get re-inspired about my career choice.
However, as numerous movies have been created and hit the big screen, I have started to get a bit annoyed by a few common features of each of these films. In fact, a blog post was recently written about the discrepancy between such movies and actual teaching events in a classroom setting.
I realized after some reflection and reading the above blog post that I have a love-hate relationship with teacher hero movies and here’s why:
What I LOVE About Teacher Hero Movies
- Personal relationships– The reason I became a teacher was to help children grow up into the best version of themselves. A lot of times it requires a personal relationship so that you can not only get to know the child in order to motivate them in a way that will be effective, but that you can also have a kind respect for each other in which you are both willing to cash in your chips for the long haul. Teacher hero movies do a great job of showing that strong bond between teachers and their students and that is what draws me in as a viewer.
- Connect with culture and interests– Educators in such movies are willing to invest and immerse themselves into the student and community culture in order to reach students. You often see such teachers learning to rap, dance, or do double dutch on the playground. In the end, its evident that although interests and cultures may differ between the students and teacher, we as people are innately the same. Again, the personal relationship bond is formed.
- Ask students what they want to learn– Every kid loves the teacher that is flexible in curriculum and can take a break from the required topics to spice up instruction in a way that is interesting to students. This inspires teachers watching to do the same, but it requires creativity to ensure that same “spice” still meets curriculum standards and requirements. However, with motivation heightened and creative juices flowing, teachers leave watching these movies ready to hit the ground running revamping their material in order to draw students in and increase achievement in the classroom.
- Give students life experiences– Teacher heroes always take kiddos out of the classroom for learning experiences. Students get to see plays for the first time or travel outside their city limits in their Sunday best. These moments are life changing for students who do not have the same opportunities on a regular basis and this is the feel-good part of the movie where the teacher truly becomes the hero of this child’s life. Its the turning point where the personal relationship is established and the student’s life trajectory is forever catapulted into positivity and good will.
Who can resist a movie with such amazing characteristics such as those? Well…. there’s some other things that happen in a teacher hero movie that ruins that movie love for me.
What I HATE About Teacher Hero Movies
- Entering a class and all students are sitting rapping – First of all, after a decade of teaching I can inform you that I have yet to walk into a classroom as the last person there with students sitting in neat rows ready to learn. I can also tell you after working in high need areas where student culture is all about rap music that I have never had students sit in collective circles flowing rhythmically in harmony waiting for class to start. The major concern here is supervision. Students cannot enter classrooms without a teacher present nor would students sit patiently waiting for a teacher to arrive, let’s be honest. Teachers cannot just show up to school at 9 am when their class starts at 9 am. There is so much required of a teacher that I can guarantee any teacher is there far before their students show up at the door. In terms of the joyful rapping, well, it might have happened in a small group of friends but certainly in most classrooms those friends aren’t in the same class and any enemies aren’t going to sit in a rap circle to pass the time. Sorry to debunk such myths!
- Majority of students featured are African American and/or Latino in underprivileged school setting- Is it sad to say that we as a society think white people aren’t poor, needy or require government assistance? There’s always one white kid in the shot to ensure there’s some “diversity” but what about underprivileged schools that are predominantly white? I have worked in many schools with a variety of ethnic makeups and caucasian students are very prevalent in underprivileged schools unlike what is shown in the movies. Not every African American is poor and not every Caucasian is rich. The movies need to do a better job of breaking up this stigma.
- Happy Endings– Let’s be honest, life isn’t rainbows and roses. Not every struggling child will see the light and become a doctor after receiving multiple college scholarships even though they spent their entire school career failing and disengaged. Sometimes failing students still fail. Sometimes gang members die and aren’t saved to a begin a better life. Sometimes the teacher loves on their students without any return. Sometimes… it just doesn’t work out. I wish movies would stop the happy ending and be more realistic that you win some and lose some, but you always keep trying. THAT is realistic and THAT is what happens.
I realize that to sell a movie you need some Hollywood elements, but it really paints an unrealistic picture of what teaching is all about. It puts too much emphasis on the positive change of a student and not on the abundance of sacrifice on the teacher’s end. People are entering the teaching profession expecting to perform miracles because of such movies and its for that reason alone I wish the teacher hero movie would alter its money making mission.
But, have no fear… regardless of what I dislike about such movies, I will be the first in line when the next teacher hero movie rolls out!
My Favorite Teacher Hero Movies
- Dangerous Minds- I love Michelle Pfeiffer- who doesn’t? I love when the underdog rises to the challenge and problem solves until success. She was so willing to give of herself to get her kids engaged in a way they could understand and relate to and spent all of her free time helping students create a better life for themselves. Okay, so the likelihood that Michelle Pfeifer would be hired is somewhat laughable being that she had zero experience. Even in desperate school districts there are at least a few hoops to jump through. And the fact that the students are so willing to showcase their gang affiliations is pretty unbelievable.
- Ron Clark Story- Ron Clark is my idol and mentor for the mere fact that he never stops. I will never have his energy, but he is willing to make himself look silly to impact his students. When you put your ego aside to get on a child’s level and connect, the effects are unstoppable. This movie seemed pretty realistic and awe inspiring with his teaching methods. After reading many of his books and following his efforts with building his own school, I know this movie was more realistic than not and for that I appreciate the efforts of the production team!
- Freedom Writers- OMG, I loved Erin Gruwell so much I met her! I wanted to ask her if she and her husband really broke up due to her over-dedication to her students but I didn’t have the guts so I had her sign my book instead. I’m hoping that was a Hollywood add to the script and not reality. Erin is a Ron… she stepped up to the plate and did whatever necessary to reach her kids. She also has a ton of energy and gave all of her free time to her students. Although I don’t think this is a healthy way to live one’s life, it still is a tear jerker!
- Coach Carter- Again with the inner city vibe like Dangerous Minds… but hey, I didn’t grow up in such a school environment so I am drawn to see what its really like (yea right!). I love how coaches see students not only as athletes but as academics as well. They push for excellence in classrooms FIRST and then excellence on the court second. The extreme measures used to teach talented athletes to use their determination and perseverance from the game in the classroom to succeed is definitely a feel-good notion for a teacher. All adults are important in a child’s life and have an impact on their future. Thank you Coach Carter!
As you can see I love a good teacher hero movie just as much as I hate it. I think that cycle will just have to continue as I fall in and out of love with the next feel-good teacher hero movie!
What do you love and/or hate about teacher hero movies?
About the author, Gretchen
I am a teacher trainer and coach. Working elbow to elbow with teachers and teacher leaders to ensure instructional proficiency and student achievement soar lights me up. We have a real need in our nation for strong educators to remain in the field. My blog, book, podcast, courses and instructional materials are geared towards empowering teachers (and those that lead them) to receive the support needed to grow and thrive today, tomorrow and always.