Movies Teachers Should Watch

I am a cinema lover. Recently, I’ve reflected a lot about the movies that have somehow influenced me as a teacher and that make me reflect about what it is like to be a good educator.  There are some movies that I consider the bases of teaching. In other words, as we are (or should be) always looking forward to being a better educator, there are several movies I believe all teachers should watch, regardless of their areas. Moreover, I believe that these movies have to be watched not only once, but as many times as necessary not to forget that, as educators, we play a very important role in our students’ lives, and thus, we must trust and believe them.

Below is a list of 23 movies from the oldest to the newest. You can click the names to watch the trailes after reading what the movie is about OR click here to see all of the trailers together.

Stand and Deliver (1988)

The story of Jaime Escalante, a high school teacher who successfully inspired his dropout prone students to learn calculus.

Lean on Me (1989)

The dedicated but tyrannical Joe Clark is appointed the principal of a decaying inner-city school that he is determined to improve.

Dead Poet's Society (1989)

English professor John Keating inspires his students to a love of poetry and to seize the day.

Kindergarten Cop (1990)

A tough cop is given his most difficult assignment: masquerade as a a kindergarten teacher in order to find a drug dealer.

Corrina, Corrina (1994)

When Manny Singer's wife dies, his young daughter Molly becomes mute and withdrawn. To help cope with looking after Molly, he hires sassy housekeeper Corrina Washington, who coaxes Molly out of her shell and shows father and daughter a whole new way of life. Manny and Corrina's friendship delights Molly and enrages the other townspeople.

Dangerous Minds (1995) 

An ex-marine teacher struggles to connect with her students in an inner city schools.

Mr. Holland's Opus (1995)

A frustrated composer finds fulfillment as a high school music teacher.

Le plus beau métier du monde (1996)

Gerard Depardieu is a new teacher in a lower class school. He has a hard time with a special eighth grade class, and in his building.

Patch Adams (1998)

A medical student in the 70's that treated patients, illegally, using humor.

Music of the Heart (1999)

Story of a schoolteacher's struggle to teach violin to inner-city Harlem kids. 

Finding Forrester (2000)

An afro-american teen writing prodigy finds a mentor in a reclusive author.

Pay it Forward (2000)

A young boy attempts to make the world a better place after his teacher gives him that chance.

Remember the Titans (2000)

The true story of a newly appointed African-American coach and his high school team on their first season as a racially integrated unit.

School of Rock (2003)

A wannabe rock star in need of cash poses as a substitute teacher at a prep school, and tries to turn his class into a rock band.

Uptown Girls (2003)

A grown-up woman, who kept her childish instincts and behavior, start working as a nanny of a 8-year-old girl, who actually acts like an adult. But in the end everything turns to its right places.

Radio (2003)

The story of a high school coach and the developmentally challenged man whom he took under his wing.

Speak (2004)

After a blurred trauma over the summer, Melinda enters high school a selective mute. Struggling with school, friends, and family, she tells the dark tale of her experiences, and why she has chosen not to speak.

Raise Your Voice (2004)

A girl from a small town heads to the big city of Los Angeles to spend the summer at a performing arts high school.

School of Life (2005)

A new teacher squares off against his crusty competitor for a teacher of the year award.

Take the Lead (2006)

The real story of a dance teacher who believed in the talent of a group of problem kids.

Freedom Writers (2007)

A young teacher inspires her class of at-risk students to learn tolerance, apply themselves, and pursue education beyond high school.

Front of the Class (2008)

It is the true story of Brad Cohen, who struggles with Tourette’s Syndrome, which causes him to make involuntary strange noises. Brad eventually becomes a well-respected teacher. The movie captivates the viewer, produces tears and laughter, and teaches important moral values.

Glee (2009)

A high-school Spanish teacher becomes the director of the school's Glee club, hoping to restore it to its former glory.

It’s interesting how all these movies have to do with teachers’ daily struggles to make this a better world. And while it may be true, students always have something to offer. It’s our role to find and recognize what they sometimes hide, explore it, and more important, make them aware that they are able to offer something good to the universe. Being a teacher is hard. However, it brings benefits that will last forever. Getting to know students' real needs, is all you need!

Source: The Internet Movie Database