Secondary Education

About.com Education Secondary Education

Search

Secondary Education Teaching 101 Lesson Plans Educational Issues Share

See More About:

By Melissa Kelly, About.com GuideTop 10 Top Inspirational Movies for Educators

inspirational movies teaching tips

Educators need to be reminded of the importance of their jobs. Here are ten movies thatinspire us and make us feel proud to be in the field of education where we really do have animpact. Enjoy!

1. Stand and DeliverThe classic teacher movie whose message is very important in today's society: never believethat 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, gettingthem to pass the AP Calculus exam. Excellent, enjoyable choice.

2. Dangerous MindsMichelle Pfeiffer is excellent as real-life former marine Louanne Johnson. Teaching English in atough 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 ofthe importance of making our own choices and not allow ing circumstances to rule us.

3. Lean on MeMorgan Freeman plays Joe Clark, the real-life bat-w ielding Principal whose goal was to bringdiscipline and learning to Eastside High School in New York. While he was not always theeasiest on the teachers, it would sure be nice if more Principals stressed the importance ofdiscipline and learning in their schools as he did. This film shows the importance of havingstrong leadership at the top.

4. Mr. Holland's OpusThis memorable movie gives all teachers hope that they truly have an impact on theirstudents. Richard Dreyfuss is wonderful as a musician/composer who must take a teaching jobto support his family. In the end, Dreyfuss' character realizes that he has had as much if notmore of an impact from his teaching as he would have as a composer.

5. Dead Poet's SocietyRobin W illiams gives an awesome performance as an unconventional English teacher in a veryconventional (read conservative) private school. His love of poetry and his inspiring teachingmethods have a great impact on his students. The central message of the movie, to live life tothe fullest everyday, is not lost. Further, W illiams' poetry recitations are awe-inspiring.

6. To Sir With Love

Enter email addressFree Secondary Education Newsletter!

Discuss in my forum

Sign Up

AdsMovies playing in BoulderThe easy way to find out about all the movies playing in BoulderCAL54.com

K12 Homeschool ProgramsAward-Winning Online Curriculum. Last Chance to Start in Spring 2012www.K12.com

Discover Google+Hanging out w ith Your Friends has Never been so Easy. Join Google+!google.com/+

Advertisement

Related Video

More Education VideosSee All About.com Videos

How to Do a Find Your Kind Scavenger Hunt Ice Breaker

How to Do a New Friend Scavenger Hunt Ice Breaker

Tips for Integrating Google Docs Into the Classroom

Secondary Education AdsInspirational QuotesHollywood MoviesInspirational PoemsMoviesNew Movies Out

converted by Web2PDFConvert.com

Produced in 1967, this film w ith 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. Realizingthat his students need to be taught important life lessons more than the curriculum he hasbeen handed to teach them, he throws out the lesson plans and makes a real impact on theirpersonal lives.

7. The Miracle WorkerThe ultimate teaching miracle, Anne Bancroft is awesome as Annie Sullivan who uses 'toughlove' to get through to the deaf and blind Helen Keller played by Patty Duke. Very few peoplecan watch the famous 'water' scene w ithout experiencing a feeling of triumph and relief.Excellent portrayal of the importance of perseverence. Both Bancroft and Duke won anAcademy Award for their performances.

8. Renaissance ManDanny 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 characterproves that W illiam Shakespeare still has much to teach students. Surprisingly clean andsomewhat corny at times, Renaissance Man in the end teaches important life lessons onresponsibility and character.

9. Music of the HeartThis film shows the influence that one person's drive and vision can have on others. MerylStreep plays real-life Roberta Guaspari who moves to Harlem as a single-mother and becomesa violin teacher. Working through racial and other barriers, Roberta creates an acclaimed musicprogram in an area where many would have said it was impossible. Definitely a heart-warmingmovie.

10. The Karate KidWhile not normally thought of as a 'classroom' movie, The Karate Kid has much to say toteachers: Sometimes we have to have our students do things that they w ill not understanduntil 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 andinspiring movie to relish.

Melissa KellySecondary Education Guide

Sign up for My NewsletterHeadlines Forum

AdsWant to Teach Special Ed?NCATE Accredited Bachelor or Master in Special Education. Apply Today!www.WGU.edu

Why Men Pull Away10 Ugly Mistakes Women Make That Ruins Any Chances Of A RelationshipCatchHimAndKeepHim.com

Suggested ReadingBurnout and Stress Management

Related ArticlesTop Inspirational Teacher Movies - BestMovies About TeachersYour Favorite Lesbian MoviesThe Science Behind the Movie Tw ister - AGuide for Science TeachersCloudy With A Chance of Meatballs - Moviesin the Classroom - Weather Movie...Best Gifts For High School Teachers Giftsfor Teachers Top ...

AdsInspirational StoriesStories of Inspiration and Success. New Story Weekly. Free Subscriptionwww.kazantoday.com

High School DiplomaEarn a High School Diploma Online. Get Free Course & Enrollment Info!www.CareerCoursesAtHome.com

Make Him Addicted To You

converted by Web2PDFConvert.com

inspirational movies teaching tipsSee More About:

Curriculum and LessonPlansAssessments and TestsTechnology and EducationLearning TheoriesTeacher EducationTeaching Strategies

Issues in EducationEducational ReformTeacher ResourcesAdministration andGuidanceSpecial Education

Must ReadsWhy Teach?What Teachers DoTop 10 Discipline TipsKeys to Successful TeachingCreating Rubrics

Most PopularInspirational QuotesReasons to Become aTeacherYear Round EducationTop Discipline TechniquesSchool Uniforms

Explore Secondary Education

By Category

Secondary Education

About.com Special FeaturesStatistics & Political PollsFind out what questions to ask when looking atthe results of a poll. More

Study ShakespeareEverything you need to know to read andunderstand Shakespeare's plays and sonnets. More

About.com Education Secondary Education Teacher Resources Teacher Burnout Relieving Stress /Burnout Top Inspirational Movies for Educators Most Popular Latest Articles RSS

2012 About.com. All rights reserved. A part of The New York Times Company.

Advertise on About.com Our Story News & Events Work at About SiteMap All Topics Reprints HelpWrite for About User Agreement Ethics Policy Patent Info. Privacy Policy Your Ad Choices

9 Magic Words You Must Say To Make Him Fall Deeply In Love.HaveTheRelationshipYouWant.com

Lake House AcademyPremier All Girls Therapeutic Boarding School Ages 9-14www.lakehouseacademy.com

Related Searches Lowest Common Denominator Edward James Olmos Ap Calculus Exam Jaime Escalante Stand And Deliver True Story

converted by Web2PDFConvert.com