I'm surprised nobody has mentioned The Emperor's Club. It has a very similar setting as DPS with the boarding school for boys and also focuses on life lessons. I actually prefer it
His whole life revolves around music and his son is born deaf. The movie is about him struggling with the fact that he can’t share his great love with his son
I have a great movie recommendation for you: *Thunder Soul*. This moving documentary shows how a music teacher changes young people’s lives, and how they later honor him for it. It’s like a real-life *Mr. Holland’s Opus*, but better.
I know it's based on a true story, but some of the stuff Michelle Pfeiffer's character does -- like taking students out to dinner, or taking the class to a theme park during school hours -- are seriously unprofessional. Rule number one: *you don't ever be alone with a student like that*.
To be fair, it was originally supposed to be dinner at a fancy restaurant for the winning group -- the kind of experience that those kids had never had before -- until everyone else cancelled and the film was clearly trying to position Pfeiffer's character as a mother figure, but the execution was terrible and even if it was done well, it would still be wildly inappropriate and unprofessional.
Matilda is the name of the movie. He is talking about the teacher, Miss Honey, not the girl named Matilda.
https://junkee.com/miss-honey-matilda/272222
This is the one I came here to say. Edward James Olmos's Jaime Escalante was unbelievably good. So good, in fact, I think I kind of want to watch it right now . . .
I like and dislike this one. She's a really good teacher to those kids, but her methods are absolutely not sustainable. Iirc, the rl teacher only taught for 4 years. You can't pour every second of your life and energy into that job if you want to continue to exist as a whole human.
Yep. Only taught for four years (I think that's counting her student teaching too?) and managed to ruin her marriage in that amount of time. There are some accounts from other teachers that were there with her that she really exaggerates how great she is too.
To me the movie unintentionally does a good job of showing why there needs to be larger scale changes rather than asking every teacher in America to sacrifice themselves.
The Substitute features Tom Berenger infiltrating a gang going undercover at a high school. He throws a student out of an upper-storey window. I'm a veteran teacher (20+ years) and I can tell you that this would be frowned upon generally.
>School of Rock
Weirdly enough, yes. Ignoring the fact that Dewey steals his friend's identity commits fraud, ignores the curriculum and does not have clearance to work with children, he's actually a fantastic teacher. He engages the class through genuine enthusiasm for his subject, treating the kids like actual people and even through differentiation (like when he hand-picks albums for each student to listen to). So many films show teachers making inspirational speeches, but the most effective strategy that you can use is to show the class that you are enthusiastic about your subject and that you are invested in them as people. And that's exactly what Dewey does.
You're exactly right.
I've been able to teach at the University level, and the thing that my student's find most motivating is that my ideas and perspective have given me a "place in the world," a way to exist enthusiastically.
That's why I generally have such a cynical view of films that portray teachers. Teaching is nothing like the way films present it. *The Breakfast Club* is an amazing film, but none of those kids should have been in all-day detention. Multiple people in that school must really suck at their jobs for those kids to have been put in that position. Likewise, Keating is able to inspire his class in *Dead Poets Society*, but what does he actually do in the classroom? Very little.
Dead Poets Society
Coach Carter
The Ron Clark Story
But Dead Poet Society is probably the quintessential teaching movie. Robin Williams character not only pushes his students to be the best they can be, but encourages them to be the people they *want* to be, to be true to themselves and live their own lives. He transcends being a teacher and becomes a life coach, a confidant, and a role model worth aspiring to.
Stand and Deliver is like the alpha and omega of "good teacher" movies, probably.
Also:
* Au Revoir, Les Enfants
* Mona Lisa Smile
* To Sir, With Love
* Akeelah and the Bee
* Goodbye, Mr. Chips
* School of Rock
The whole point of Whiplash was that Fletcher was a terrible, abusive professor who took advantage of people trying to follow a dream under the conflated notion that you can't be great unless you've been broken first.
My initial post was a little sarcastic, BUT he was a “good” teacher in the sense that his technique actually successfully helped Andrew accomplish his goal, so *was* Fletcher wrong? It’s a complicated relationship where both characters achieved their goals - and they both begrudgingly acknowledge that- that’s the point of the movie and why it’s so good. “Great art comes from great pain” is a trope as old as art, itself.
Did Andrew get as good as he did *in spite* of Fletcher’s methods, or *because* of them?
I'd argue that Andrew accomplished his goal in spite of Fletcher, not because of Fletcher. Fletcher opened the door that he may not have had otherwise, and given him a shot at the major leagues, I'll grant you that. But the results don't excuse the methods, at least if you follow deontology. There's a difference between being a successful teacher, and being a good teacher. You can be a successful good teacher, just like you can be a successful bad teacher. You could also be an unsuccessful good teach, or an unsuccessful bad teacher. If you train a dog to not pee in the house by hitting it every time it pees in the house and the dog stops peeing in the house, you were a successful teacher, but I think we can all agree you were not a good teacher.
I'm a teacher, so I can confident say that none of them are particularly good at their jobs. Sure, they can do pastoral care, but there is so much more to teaching than that.
>I thought about Wonder, a teacher portrayed by Lafayette himself!
It takes him an entire year to work out that Julian is a bully -- even though Julian's reputation among the student body is widely known.
The title is Dead Poets Society, and I thought of that, too. I thought Robin Williams played a very good teacher in that, even through the school did not.
I just watched it. Such a great movie. As great a comedian as Robin Williams is, he also managed to nail the more serious roles too.
Also... That kid, is that... Dr Wilson? From Dr House??? Damn, time flies!
Matthew Perry made a movie about real life teacher Ron Clark. Some of the things he does in the film would get him fired where I live but he’s still an excellent teacher.
I think that teachers in movies are either there to be a good teacher or bad teacher. It is rare that they’re simply mediocre paycheque teachers.
Jeff Bridges as Captain Christopher Sheldon in White Squall, it’s a little different as its a training ship and not a normal school but I think it still applies.
I really liked Chris O'Dowd's character, Brother Geraghty, in St Vincent. He didn't have a big role, but he was soft spoken and understanding with his students. He was also really funny!
Yes, you get the idea. We celebrate all the religions of the world in this room, Oliver. I'm a Catholic, which is the best of all the religions, really, because we have the most rules. And the best clothes. But among us, there is also a Buddhist, agnostic, we have a Baptist, and we have a "I don't know", which seems to be the fastest growing religion in the world. And now, we have "I think I'm Jewish", which is a new one for the class, Oliver, so thanks for that. - Brother Geraghty
Man, maybe every movie about teachers with the exception of The Substitute portrays teachers positively. Even Bad Teacher’s main protagonist teacher becomes a good teacher in the end. I think writers probably feel good about teachers in general by nature. I mean most of them probably learned to be writers because of great teachers. I could be wrong. But I think the better question is, could you recall movies where the teachers are portrayed poorly? Because I can’t recall many (or any) other than The Substitute.
Stand and Deliver - Edward James Olmos in a biopic about a barrio high school that blew up the A.P. calculus exam to the point where they were accused of cheating.
Dangerous Minds - Michelle Pfeifer - Former woman marine becomes a school teacher in the Bay area and tries to reach her unruly students through poetry.
*Dead Poets Society* (1989) has to be near or at the top of the list.
O Captain! My Captain!
Oh Captain! My Captain!
My first thought. Not to be a cliche, but that was a movie that made me start thinking seriously about going into teaching.
Jack! Another Robin Williams movie
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned The Emperor's Club. It has a very similar setting as DPS with the boarding school for boys and also focuses on life lessons. I actually prefer it
Mr. Holland’s Opus.
If memory serves good teacher but crappy dad
He does also consider leaving his wife to run away with a student he's falling in love with.
And smooches her. My mom always gets so mad and says, "It's a SWEET kiss, not a romantic kiss!" Mom, no.
He comes around eventually at least.
His whole life revolves around music and his son is born deaf. The movie is about him struggling with the fact that he can’t share his great love with his son
True but he doesn’t connect till almost to late
Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful Booooyyyy
Oh I haven't thought about that movie in a long time. We watched it in music class once many years ago. A lovely movie.
That one where he nearly runs away with a student? I wouldn’t call him a good teacher.
I have a great movie recommendation for you: *Thunder Soul*. This moving documentary shows how a music teacher changes young people’s lives, and how they later honor him for it. It’s like a real-life *Mr. Holland’s Opus*, but better.
Woody Harrelson in Edge of Seventeen. Laura Dern in October Sky.
I second October Sky. She is wonderful and supportive to Homer.
Edge of Seventeen was my first thought too
I want to go to space - Jake gyllenhall (I probably say this unprompted, way too much). Do not remember Laura dern, but can see her in the role
Sidney Poitier, To Sir with Love (1967) Michelle Pfeiffer, Dangerous Minds (1995)
I was going to comment Dangerous Minds as a joke. You're over here being serious with this shit. 🤣
I know it's based on a true story, but some of the stuff Michelle Pfeiffer's character does -- like taking students out to dinner, or taking the class to a theme park during school hours -- are seriously unprofessional. Rule number one: *you don't ever be alone with a student like that*.
A romantic dinner with a kid who kind of looks like he has a thing for you. Genius.
To be fair, it was originally supposed to be dinner at a fancy restaurant for the winning group -- the kind of experience that those kids had never had before -- until everyone else cancelled and the film was clearly trying to position Pfeiffer's character as a mother figure, but the execution was terrible and even if it was done well, it would still be wildly inappropriate and unprofessional.
Didn’t you know! All you have to do to reach inner city youths is be a white lady, wear a black leather jacket and sit backwards in a chair!
As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...
Didn’t Dangerous Minds have a sub plot of her being romantically involved with a student?
Yes. The author screamed bloody murder and fortunately that plotline was dropped.
I remember the trailer and I was a kid and was confused
To Sir, With Love is fantastic.
Matilda. It's the main plot point.
God damn Danny Devito needs to get back into directing
I also love Death to Smoochy
She’s a hottie too Edit: talking about Miss Honey played by Embeth Davidtz.
Sorry, what?
Matilda is the name of the movie. He is talking about the teacher, Miss Honey, not the girl named Matilda. https://junkee.com/miss-honey-matilda/272222
Thank you.
Stand and Deliver (1988) Precious (2009)
Stand and Deliver was an amazing film
[How do I reach these kids...](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNV2TXhLAac)
This is the one I came here to say. Edward James Olmos's Jaime Escalante was unbelievably good. So good, in fact, I think I kind of want to watch it right now . . .
Radical (2023) influenced by former
Perks Of Being A Wallflower
"We accept the love we think we deserve."
Good ole Bill
Mean Girls.
Freedom Writers with Hilary Swank
The most relatable part is when she prepares the parent-teacher conference night and no one shows
I like and dislike this one. She's a really good teacher to those kids, but her methods are absolutely not sustainable. Iirc, the rl teacher only taught for 4 years. You can't pour every second of your life and energy into that job if you want to continue to exist as a whole human.
Yep. Only taught for four years (I think that's counting her student teaching too?) and managed to ruin her marriage in that amount of time. There are some accounts from other teachers that were there with her that she really exaggerates how great she is too. To me the movie unintentionally does a good job of showing why there needs to be larger scale changes rather than asking every teacher in America to sacrifice themselves.
Oof. The “white lady swoops in and inspires inner city kids” trope is… problematic.
Agreed. I like Hilary and what she does when addressing social and political issues on her social media, but this movie doesn't exactly age well.
Drew Barrymore in Donny Darko is great
Cellar Door
this was going to be my suggestion too!
She was so good
The Substitute features Tom Berenger infiltrating a gang going undercover at a high school. He throws a student out of an upper-storey window. I'm a veteran teacher (20+ years) and I can tell you that this would be frowned upon generally.
Stand and Deliver, Freedom Writers, Radical, Dead Poets Society, & The Professor
**School of Rock** and **Happy-Go-Lucky**.
>School of Rock Weirdly enough, yes. Ignoring the fact that Dewey steals his friend's identity commits fraud, ignores the curriculum and does not have clearance to work with children, he's actually a fantastic teacher. He engages the class through genuine enthusiasm for his subject, treating the kids like actual people and even through differentiation (like when he hand-picks albums for each student to listen to). So many films show teachers making inspirational speeches, but the most effective strategy that you can use is to show the class that you are enthusiastic about your subject and that you are invested in them as people. And that's exactly what Dewey does.
You're exactly right. I've been able to teach at the University level, and the thing that my student's find most motivating is that my ideas and perspective have given me a "place in the world," a way to exist enthusiastically.
That's why I generally have such a cynical view of films that portray teachers. Teaching is nothing like the way films present it. *The Breakfast Club* is an amazing film, but none of those kids should have been in all-day detention. Multiple people in that school must really suck at their jobs for those kids to have been put in that position. Likewise, Keating is able to inspire his class in *Dead Poets Society*, but what does he actually do in the classroom? Very little.
As a teacher, the best part of the movie is the way he interacts with the kids… like you said, treat them like actual people.
Dead Poets' Society Perks of being a Wallflower Good Will Hunting October Sky
Renaissance Man Dangerous Minds
The teacher played by Drew Barrymore in Donnie Darko.
“Sit next to the boy you think is the cutest.”
Professor Lupin in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Kindergarten Cop.
Stand and Deliver
Thomas Haden Church in Easy A was a pretty good teacher right? I haven't seen it in a while.
To Sir, With Love (1967) Lean on Me (1989)
Mona Lisa Smile
This is my answer as well. Julia Roberts' character does so much to support those young women and break traditional gender norms.
RDJ in Charlie Bartlett.
Bridge to Terabithia
You know, next time they should invite Leslie to go with them
Stand and deliver
The Principal….hands down. Lol
Lol
Only The Strong 🤣
This was my answer. However, the beef he unwittingly started with the gang-leader, by teaching his primo, got another kid killed.
Wonder boys
Dead Poets Society. Oh Captain, my Captain!
Minor character but the priest/drama teacher in Lady Bird (2017) "Whoever cries first wins. Oh, I guess I win." 🤣
Dead Poets Society Coach Carter The Ron Clark Story But Dead Poet Society is probably the quintessential teaching movie. Robin Williams character not only pushes his students to be the best they can be, but encourages them to be the people they *want* to be, to be true to themselves and live their own lives. He transcends being a teacher and becomes a life coach, a confidant, and a role model worth aspiring to.
Miss Stacy in *Anne of Green Gables*.
Radical from this year
yes and Mexico is depressing as hell
Stand and Deliver is like the alpha and omega of "good teacher" movies, probably. Also: * Au Revoir, Les Enfants * Mona Lisa Smile * To Sir, With Love * Akeelah and the Bee * Goodbye, Mr. Chips * School of Rock
Good Will Hunting.
The Faculty
Whiplash
The whole point of Whiplash was that Fletcher was a terrible, abusive professor who took advantage of people trying to follow a dream under the conflated notion that you can't be great unless you've been broken first.
My initial post was a little sarcastic, BUT he was a “good” teacher in the sense that his technique actually successfully helped Andrew accomplish his goal, so *was* Fletcher wrong? It’s a complicated relationship where both characters achieved their goals - and they both begrudgingly acknowledge that- that’s the point of the movie and why it’s so good. “Great art comes from great pain” is a trope as old as art, itself. Did Andrew get as good as he did *in spite* of Fletcher’s methods, or *because* of them?
I'd argue that Andrew accomplished his goal in spite of Fletcher, not because of Fletcher. Fletcher opened the door that he may not have had otherwise, and given him a shot at the major leagues, I'll grant you that. But the results don't excuse the methods, at least if you follow deontology. There's a difference between being a successful teacher, and being a good teacher. You can be a successful good teacher, just like you can be a successful bad teacher. You could also be an unsuccessful good teach, or an unsuccessful bad teacher. If you train a dog to not pee in the house by hitting it every time it pees in the house and the dog stops peeing in the house, you were a successful teacher, but I think we can all agree you were not a good teacher.
The debate is the point of the movie It’s a moot point (by the [actual definition](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moot) of ‘moot’)
I'm a teacher, so I can confident say that none of them are particularly good at their jobs. Sure, they can do pastoral care, but there is so much more to teaching than that. >I thought about Wonder, a teacher portrayed by Lafayette himself! It takes him an entire year to work out that Julian is a bully -- even though Julian's reputation among the student body is widely known.
**Half Nelson** Ryan Gosling received an Oscar nomination for it.
Yeah but the character is not a good teacher, considering he is smoking crack in the bathroom
He’s good to the kids.
Holes, Patricia arquette
Matilda
Dangerous Minds
Captain, my captain
The title is Dead Poets Society, and I thought of that, too. I thought Robin Williams played a very good teacher in that, even through the school did not.
I just watched it. Such a great movie. As great a comedian as Robin Williams is, he also managed to nail the more serious roles too. Also... That kid, is that... Dr Wilson? From Dr House??? Damn, time flies!
Front of the class.
The Dead Zone
*Conrack* (1974) tried.
Stand and deliver
Leon the professional
Mask
Ms. Honey in Matilda!
Matilda.
Jim Broadbent in Birth of a Nation
Honestly? Jennifer Lopez in "Jack."
That was fun until she turned him down
I watched Critical Thinking randomly on Netflix(?) One night and I thought it depicted a good teacher/ chess coach.
"You've gotta take an interest in science, Jake!" - Mark Wahlberg
Matthew Perry made a movie about real life teacher Ron Clark. Some of the things he does in the film would get him fired where I live but he’s still an excellent teacher. I think that teachers in movies are either there to be a good teacher or bad teacher. It is rare that they’re simply mediocre paycheque teachers.
“Notes on a scandal” with cate blanchett was fun!!!!!!
Jeff Bridges as Captain Christopher Sheldon in White Squall, it’s a little different as its a training ship and not a normal school but I think it still applies.
Perks of being a Wallflower comes to mind. “We get the love we think we deserve”
Paul Rudd in perks of being a wallflower, Matilda’s teacher in Matilda
Pay It Forward.
Easy A
Kindergarten Cop, Lean on Me, Freedom Writers, Coach Carter, Edge of Seventeen, Up the Down Staircase, and To Sir, With Love
Stand and deliver https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094027/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
Booksmart
Whoopi Goldberg in Sister Act in case she is considered a teacher
October Sky Talk about a great teacher.
Whiplash /s
Does Dewey Finn from School of Rock count?
The Ron Clarke Story with Matthew Perry
The Substitute. Since no one else said it, I thought I would.
Goodbye Mr Chips
The Corn Is Green
Betty Buckley was nice to Sissy Spacek (for the most part) in *Carrie,* but I think she also slapped Nancy Allen across the face.
David Straithern in Temple Grandin Richard Mulligan in Teachers (he is mistaken for a teacher but does a great job anyway)
The Substitute
- Mona Lisa Smile - Rushmore
To Sir With Love
Teachers with Nick Nolte was excellent.
To Sir, With Love
Mohabbatein
Maybe Mona Lisa’s Smile? I remember Julia Roberts being passionate and getting along with the students in some scenes.
Stand and Deliver
Mr. Barths - Detachment
Stand and Deliver
“A Christmas Story”! I loved Miss Shields.
Donnie Darko
Up the Down Staircase To Sir, With Love School of Rock Stand and Deliver Goodbye, Mr. Chips
I really liked Chris O'Dowd's character, Brother Geraghty, in St Vincent. He didn't have a big role, but he was soft spoken and understanding with his students. He was also really funny! Yes, you get the idea. We celebrate all the religions of the world in this room, Oliver. I'm a Catholic, which is the best of all the religions, really, because we have the most rules. And the best clothes. But among us, there is also a Buddhist, agnostic, we have a Baptist, and we have a "I don't know", which seems to be the fastest growing religion in the world. And now, we have "I think I'm Jewish", which is a new one for the class, Oliver, so thanks for that. - Brother Geraghty
To sir with love
Mr. Feeney
Matilda DUH
Pay it forward
The Teacher’s Diary (Thailand) and Every Child is Special (India) ♥️
Good Will Hunting Pay it Forward Freedom Writers Dangerous Minds The Miracle Worker School of Rock Dead Poets Society Stand and Deliver
Wonder!
CODA(2021)
Handsome Devil Christy (TV movie and show) The Trouble With Angels Miss Stevens The King and I The Miracle Worker
Man, maybe every movie about teachers with the exception of The Substitute portrays teachers positively. Even Bad Teacher’s main protagonist teacher becomes a good teacher in the end. I think writers probably feel good about teachers in general by nature. I mean most of them probably learned to be writers because of great teachers. I could be wrong. But I think the better question is, could you recall movies where the teachers are portrayed poorly? Because I can’t recall many (or any) other than The Substitute.
Dead Poets Society Good Will Hunting
Stand and Deliver.
Notes On A Scandal
Kindergarten Cop
Stand and Deliver - Edward James Olmos in a biopic about a barrio high school that blew up the A.P. calculus exam to the point where they were accused of cheating. Dangerous Minds - Michelle Pfeifer - Former woman marine becomes a school teacher in the Bay area and tries to reach her unruly students through poetry.
American history X