5 Greatest Movie Teachers (In Appreciation of Teacher Appreciation Week)
As my son's daycare reminded me, we're in the middle of Teacher Appreciation Week! So I thought I'd give my educational props to the bestest teachers of all time. After all, these instructors inspired and cared--really cared. So if you're in the mood for a little teacher-appreciation marathon, may we suggest:
Sidney Poitier, To Sir With Love: The best movies in this genre are the ones where the teacher brings gravitas and elegance, even if they're the ones breaking all the rules. Since this is Sidney Poitier in a nutshell, there's no one else we'd rather learn life's lessons from.
Robin Williams, Dead Poets Society: There are some, I am told, who found this movie uninspiring. They didn't wish for a teacher like Williams' John Keating, who asks his students to carpe diem, stand on their desks and "suck the marrow out of life." They weren't moved when he got Ethan Hawke to recite poetry in class and Robert Sean Leonard to follow his dream of acting. They didn't weep when the class saluted his farewell with "O Captain, My Captain." To these some, I say, you must have hearts of stone!
Edward James Olmos, Stand and Deliver: Now you know Edward James Olmos from Battlestar Galactica, but back in 1988 he turned in his career-defining (and Oscar-nominated) performance as Jaime Escalante, a teacher in East L.A. who made math fun. 'K, maybe not fun, but got his students to excel in it. "Math is the great equalizer," he says. Wise words indeed.
Robert Donat, Goodbye, Mr. Chips: Coming out of the golden year of cinema (1939), Robert Donat beat Clark Gable for Best Actor at the Oscars with his performance in this film, about a teacher who reflects on nearly five decades of students. That he's disliked and unpopular after he arrives only makes the poignancy that much deeper when he reflects in his old age on whether he ever made a difference.
Morgan Freeman, Lean on Me: How does a principal bring calm to a school overrun by violence and drugs? With a baseball bat of course! He's not technically a classroom teacher, but if you're looking for a more upbeat teacher movie after weeping through the last four, watch one of the most beloved actors of all time carry the whole movie on his broad, proud shoulders.
Honorable mention
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kindergarten Cop: Who else spends the entire class making his kids practice the fire drill, play "police school," and interrogate them about their fathers in case one is the drug-dealing convict he's been chasing across the country, and still gets them prepared to recite the Gettysburg Address? Only Ahnuld.
Who are your favorite movie teachers?
--Ellen
nichole on May 08, 2008 at 04:15 AM
Thanks for the honorable mention of Kindergarten Cop. My sister and I love that movie and your brief summary hits all of the reasons why, with the exception of "It's not a tumor".
Cate Cavanagh on May 08, 2008 at 04:34 AM
Not all teachers teach in a building! Sometimes a teacher can be someone with a different perspective in and on life. This person can be a friend or family member.
In my book, Her Godmother, Allie who is saddened by her father's alcoholism, is sent to visit her godmother. Her mother wants Allie to be in a different place to distract from the breakup of her family.
What Allie discovers is that her godmother is a unique teacher that has a different a different way teaching Allie how to heal.
This book will appeal to adults as well as upper grad school student, middle school and high school students and even adults!
Stop by and take a peek. You will have to add this book to your reading list...
Anna on May 08, 2008 at 08:10 AM
Alas,you forget the campy and cheesy "Goodbye Mr. Chips" remake starring Peter O'Toole and Petula Clark. It's pretty unforgettable&in the "Bad Movies We Love" realm. Petula singing "London is London" and hitting on O'Toole with "Let's make whoopee!!" and O'Toole attempting to sing... it's priceless.
Jade on May 08, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Mona Lisa Smile, starring Julia Roberts, was also a very touching movie. Roberts' character teaches her students that it is okay to break out of their stereotypical roles; she also ends up learning a bit about herself.
Roderick Reilly on May 08, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Yes, "Mona Lisa Smile" wasn't bad, even though I'm not a Julia Roberts fan.
"Ahnuldt" taught the kids the Gettysburg Address, not the Declaration of Independence.
J on May 08, 2008 at 12:23 PM
What about Sam Kinison in Back to School?
Milton Stanley on May 08, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Don't forget Richard Dreyfuss in Mr. Holland's Opus. Maybe this one appeals mostly to band geeks, but Mr. Holland was still a good one.
Phil Marlowe on May 08, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Poitier & Donat were the best but even though he didn't teach in a school, Henry Higgins did a great job of teaching Eliza Doolitle to speak proper English. Plus before Eliza he did first rate research.
Phil Marlowe on May 08, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Poitier & Donat were the best but even though he didn't teach in a school, Henry Higgins did a great job of teaching Eliza Doolitle to speak proper English. Plus before Eliza he did first rate research.
Kevin Baker on May 08, 2008 at 12:32 PM
It's sappy, but I liked Richard Dreyfus in "Mr. Holland's Opus"
edh on May 08, 2008 at 12:33 PM
As I remember, what I found uninspiring and so forgettable about Dead Poets was the teacher exhorting his students to fight for everything in life with their first and last breath, and then when he eventually gets fired by the school he leaves the manicured grounds with his tail between his legs.
Am I wrong in my recollection?
Adam on May 08, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Mr. Hand...Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Jim on May 08, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Jack Black in "School of Rock," of course.
Eric Youngstrom on May 08, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Harrison Ford as Professor Indiana Jones - by far the coolest professor on the planet. It's not high school, but it's still a teaching job.
Matt on May 08, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Richard Dreyfus in "Mr. Holland's Opus" has to be on the list! It's the greatest teacher role in any movie, IMHO.
law grad on May 08, 2008 at 12:40 PM
I'm not sure a law school professor qualifies as a "teacher," but if so, surely Prof. Kingsfield from The Paper Chase belongs on the list.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qHEBABE6PU&feature=related
J_Story on May 08, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Kesuke Miyagi is my nominee for non-traditional teacher. He teaches Daniel-san more than his school teachers did.
BuddyPC on May 08, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Write ins for Glenn Ford's Mr. Dadier in "The Blackboard Jungle" and for Richard Mulligan's Mr. Gower in "Teachers".
"What is the name of this river?!!"
Adam, good call on Mr. Hand.
johnshade on May 08, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Obviously the answer is Maggie Smith doling out wisdom to her "gels" as Miss Jean Brodie. Runner-up is Prof. Henry Higgins teaching Eliza how to talk proper.
Mark W on May 08, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Where's Ben Stein?
Chris L. on May 08, 2008 at 12:55 PM
#1 - Anne Bancroft as "Teacher" to Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker.
Also - agree with johnshade that Miss Jean Brodie and Henry Higgins deserve to be on the list!
Brett on May 08, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Beuller? Beuller?
Ardsgaine on May 08, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Where's Ben Stein?
He got expelled. :P
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2luAeK0Tuu8
Independent George on May 08, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Bonus points to Escalante/Olmos for being, you know, an actual dude. Sadly, the movie wasn't the end of the story.
Barry on May 08, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Ben Stein in Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
Penelope Milford in Heathers.
Ray Walston in Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
Probably the three most hauntingly realistic performances by actors playing teachers, in my Generation X memory.