For as long as recorded history goes, teaching has always been considered as one of the noblest professions. Teachers and professors have proven to be instrumental in impacting lives and influencing minds and hearts across generations. Educators have been catalysts for change in society.
In recent years, there has been a steady incline in the demand for teachers in schools and universities. There are several BSM job vacancies just waiting to be filled by those who have the heart not just to teach but to help raise a generation of responsible and compassionate people.
For this reason, Hollywood has immortalized and honored teachers in several movies. These movies have brought tears to our eyes, made us empathize with both teacher and student alike, and inspired us to become better people.
5 Awe-Inspiring Teacher Movies That Will Surely Leave a Mark in Your Life
1. Stand and Deliver (1988)
This movie is based on a true story about the life of Jaime Escalante, played by Edward James Olmos.
Mr. Escalante is an ordinary fellow but an extraordinary teacher with a huge heart for his students. He helped turn math failures into math geniuses one day at a time by contextualizing his teaching to things the students can relate with.
He may not look cool but his charm and wits helped him connect with his students intellectually and emotionally.
2. Good Will Hunting (1999)
The late Robin Williams, Ben Affleck, and Matt Damon team up for this heartwarming movie about a genius who doesn’t want to do anything with the superstar life his genius could potentially bring him.
As far as teacher movies go, this set-up is quite different. The student (Damon) already knows he is very intelligent but does not want to go beyond his comfort zone. The teacher (Williams) is pushing for him to take the opportunities and chances his talents have to offer.
3. Dead Poets Society (1989)
Perhaps the most famous teacher movie of all time, Dead Poets Society stars Robin Williams as a rebellious teacher, Professor Keating. He teaches poetry to inspire his students but at the same time stirs things up in school.
While it is not ideal to keep pushing boundaries beyond what’s acceptable and appropriate, the movie still inspires in many ways and impacts its viewers positively.
4. Music of the Heart (1999)
This movie, while fictional, is something a lot of folks can relate to. It tells the story of Roberta Dimitras, an abandoned housewife looking to start over in life.
The movie follows her life as she deals with the challenges of putting her class together, being ridiculed and looked down on by her fellow teachers, and picking up the pieces from her heartbreak.
But despite all the challenges, she keeps moving on while getting motivation from her students.
5. Lean on Me (1989)
This Morgan Freeman-starred is another true-to-life story about Joe Louis Clark, who helped turned things around in one of the roughest schools in New York City.
He helped set higher standards in education and accountability. He stood up to the bad guys and drug dealers preying on the students while still showing compassion to the more vulnerable ones. He made students believe in themselves and made themselves better through tough love and discipline.
Whether fictional or true-to-life, these movies have warmed the hearts of viewers and inspired audiences the world over to hold teachers and educators in high regard. Alexander the Great put it very well when he said, “I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well.”
