With the start of summer upon us, I decided to have a little fun and compile a top ten list of one of my favorite things, movies. There are are many top ten movie lists on a number of different topics but to keep in style with this blog, I decided to focus on teaching. I'd love to read feedback and what movies you think should be on this list -- or in which order. The one film which will surely garner a lot of praise that I omitted on this list is Mr Holland's Opus, and that's because I've never seen it.
Enjoy....
Top 10 Teaching Based Movies
- Remember the Titans - Movie about high school football and so much more. Denzel Washington gives a memorable performance as a football coach who teaches not only the fundamentals of football, but also of life.
- Lean on Me - Powerful movie starring Morgan Freeman as he tries to help a high school from destroying itself.
- Finding Forrester - It's hard not to like this film that focuses on a teen writer who is mentored by Sean Connery.
- Freedom Writers - A film about a young high school teacher who helps turn student's lives around through their writing. Starring the great Hillary Swank.
- Stand & Deliver - Based on a true story; one of the most famous films on teaching.
- Dangerous Minds - A strong film starring Michelle Pfeiffer, about a teacher who turns around her high school class located in a poor neighbor in the city.
- Dead Poets Society - A great film about an English teacher who teaches his students the joy and power of poetry.
- Good Will Hunting - Another film starring Robin Williams as a psychologist who helps Will find his path in life, filled with great dialogue.
- Music of the Heart - True story that shows a teacher's struggle to teach violin to students.
- Lions for Lambs - Not based entirely on teaching, but the scenes with Robert Redford as a professor who inspires his students to think are breathtaking.
David Kapuler is an educational consultant with more than 10 years of experience working in the K-12 environment. For more information about his work, contact him at dkapuler@gmail.com and read his blog at cyber-kap.blogspot.com
