(NAME-MCE) Top 10 Top Inspirational Movies for Educators

[Judy]

Finding Forrester immediately comes to mind.

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 31, 2009, at 7:42 AM, Bill Howe <bill at billhowe.org> wrote:

>
>
> I happened to watch part of the movie Freedom Writers this weekend.  
> It's
> based on the true story of Erin Gruewell. It prompted me to think  
> about
> other "teacher" movies. I googled and found these. Any others to  
> add? I am
> preparing for a graduate MCE course I am teaching and want to give  
> this out
> as an optional assignment. I know people either love or hate some of  
> these
> movies. My assignment will be to critique a movie responding to  
> whether the
> student feels it reflects true life in the classroom, possible
> stereotypes of students and teachers, good and bad teaching  
> strategies, etc.
> Any thoughts would be appreciated.
>
>
>
> Top 10 Top Inspirational Movies for Educators
>
> By Melissa Kelly, About.com
>
>
>
> Educators need to be reminded of the importance of their jobs. Here  
> are ten
> movies that inspire us and make us feel proud to be in the field of
> education where we really do have an impact. Enjoy!
>
>
>
> 1. Stand and Deliver
>
> The classic teacher movie whose message is very important in today's
> society: never believe that students are unable to learn. Instead of
> teaching to the lowest common denominator, Edward James Olmos in a  
> true
> story as Jaime Escalante sets his sights much higher, getting them  
> to pass
> the AP Calculus exam. Excellent, enjoyable choice.
>
> 2. Dangerous Minds
>
> Michelle Pfeiffer is excellent as real-life former marine Louanne  
> Johnson.
> Teaching English in a tough inner-city school, she reaches the  
> "unteachable"
> through caring and understanding. Very true-to-life, Dangerous Minds  
> does
> not fall into sentimentality but instead teaches us of the  
> importance of
> making our own choices and not allowing circumstances to rule us.
>
> 3. Lean on Me
>
> Morgan Freeman plays Joe Clark, the real-life bat-wielding Principal  
> whose
> goal was to bring discipline and learning to Eastside High School in  
> New
> York. While he was not always the easiest on the teachers, it would  
> sure be
> nice if more Principals stressed the importance of discipline and  
> learning
> in their schools as he did. This film shows the importance of having  
> strong
> leadership at the top.
>
> 4. Mr. Holland's Opus
>
> This memorable movie gives all teachers hope that they truly have an  
> impact
> on their students. Richard Dreyfuss is wonderful as a musician/ 
> composer who
> must take a teaching job to support his family. In the end, Dreyfuss'
> character realizes that he has had as much if not more of an impact  
> from his
> teaching as he would have as a composer.
>
> 5. Dead Poet's Society
>
> Robin Williams gives an awesome performance as an unconventional  
> English
> teacher in a very conventional (read conservative) private school.  
> His love
> of poetry and his inspiring teaching methods have a great impact on  
> his
> students. The central message of the movie, to live life to the  
> fullest
> everyday, is not lost. Further, Williams' poetry recitations are
> awe-inspiring.
>
> 6. To Sir With Love
>
> Produced in 1967, this film with Sidney Poitier as a novice teacher  
> has a
> lot to teach us today. Poitier takes a teaching position in the  
> rough part
> of London in order to pay his bills. Realizing that his students  
> need to be
> taught important life lessons more than the curriculum he has been  
> handed to
> teach them, he throws out the lesson plans and makes a real impact  
> on their
> personal lives.
>
> 7. The Miracle Worker
>
> The ultimate teaching miracle, Anne Bancroft is awesome as Annie  
> Sullivan
> who uses 'tough love' to get through to the deaf and blind Helen  
> Keller
> played by Patty Duke. Very few people can watch the famous 'water'  
> scene
> without experiencing a feeling of triumph and relief. Excellent  
> portrayal of
> the importance of perseverence. Both Bancroft and Duke won an  
> Academy Award
> for their performances.
>
> 8. Renaissance Man
>
> Danny Devito's performance as a teacher of the 'Double-D's' is both  
> humorous
> and inspired. What appears to be a light-hearted comedy truly has a  
> deeper
> meaning. Devito's character proves that William Shakespeare still  
> has much
> to teach students. Surprisingly clean and somewhat corny at times,
> Renaissance Man in the end teaches important life lessons on  
> responsibility
> and character.
>
> 9. Music of the Heart
>
> This film shows the influence that one person's drive and vision can  
> have on
> others. Meryl Streep plays real-life Roberta Guaspari who moves to  
> Harlem as
> a single-mother and becomes a violin teacher. Working through racial  
> and
> other barriers, Roberta creates an acclaimed music program in an  
> area where
> many would have said it was impossible. Definitely a heart-warming  
> movie.
>
> 10. The Karate Kid
>
> While not normally thought of as a 'classroom' movie, The Karate Kid  
> has
> much to say to teachers: Sometimes we have to have our students do  
> things
> that they will not understand until much later; Basic skills are most
> important; Honor and integrity are central to character; Students  
> need to
> see us beam with excitement over their achievements. A fun,  
> nostalgic and
> inspiring movie to relish.
>
>
>
>
>
> Bill Howe
> Asian Pacific American Coalition of CT http://apaact.com/
> Personal Website http://www.billhowe.org
> Multicultural Dimensions http://www.multiculturaldimensions.org
> Travel Blog http://billhowe.org/BillBlog/
> Multicultural Education Blog http://billhowe.org/MCE/
>> Organizing a July 2010 Tour to China & Hong Kong
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