Here's a crazy idea -- teaching "representation" via movies about teachers...

[Peter Gutierrez]

"Ever wonder how to teach media “representation” without getting into more far-ranging issues involving gender, race, class, and so on? Or maybe just how to introduce the concept to students who need an accessible entry point?

One solution lies in studying the cinematic construction of “teachers.” A corollary might be to study the images of students in movies and TV, and in fact I’m sure I’ll be posting something on that topic down the road. Or, of course, there’s also the media representation of librarians, one that’s fraught with stereotypes that those in the profession have been trying to combat for years. 

Still, the case of teachers might be especially fruitful ever since a national debate sprung up a couple of years ago in the form of the “ed reform” movement. So not only is this a topic that kids can discuss from firsthand knowledge—supplemented by polling/interviewing the very teachers they see every day—but it’s one that may affect them directly in terms of shifts in public policy...

Think about it:  teachers are usually represented as domineering, if not cruel, or as boringly pompous pendants, or both. Alternately, of course, they are shown as dazzlingly inspirational (Dead Poets Society) or as courageous mavericks (Dangerous Minds)..."

More, including a look at the new film "Monsieur Lazhar," at Connect the Pop: http://bit.ly/IK7eN4

[Shirley Durr]

I like this idea.

• I always had problems with Freedom Writers: a caring woman, not trained as a teacher, finds herself in an inner city school and inspires students to write with an idea she comes up with --- ta dah! -- writing journals! I know it simplifies the movie but this is what I get from my non-teacher friends when I mention writing problems. "Have you tried using writing journals, Shirley, and letting them express themselves?" Duh! I hear the real-life woman no longer teaches.
• How about an oldie:  Mr. Holland's Opus? Talk about the superhero! Yeah. I cry every time. Is it dated now? Can we compare it with the even older Goodbye,Mr. Chips? or even with the less old To Sir, With Love? Holland andSir are in the same category asWriters -- I didn''t train as or plan to be a teacher but I was able to do a better job than those who were. I always wish these teachers the best but I hate being compared to them.
• I like the idea of looking at representation of students as well as teachers in the media. I've shown some of these movies (including those you've mentioned) over the years and asked my students would they like these teachers as their teachers and why.  What they've mostly noted is how few classes the students seem to have (compared to themselves) and how the teachers broke the no transporting and no fraternizing outside of school-time rules that other teachers have to follow. Some like the rule-breaking idea but some did not. My savvy students were well-aware of teachers in the news media for unprofessional conduct with students. Maybe city students are different.
• Query: I don't currently watch much TV. Are there any TV shows currently playing that represent school settings?