Teaching is the noblest profession. It’s rewarding and nothing is more important than the education of young people. It’s for this reason that the unique characteristics of our beloved educators have inspired many films. Movies have helped some of the unsung heroes of the teaching profession gain the exposure and recognition they deserve for their contributions to society. These are the best films centred around a teacher as the main protagonist. There are no rotten apples here these films are all certified fresh!

Dangerous Minds 

Teacher – LouAnne Johnson

Actor – Michelle Phiefer 

Miss Johnson is a former navy officer but very much the rookie teacher when she finds herself thrown in at the deep end of an inner city Californian high school. Alarm bells should have been ringing when she is offered the role within minutes of the interview. What she doesn’t realise is that the job involves working in the school’s alternative provision or “Academy programme”. She finds herself in a literal sink or swim scenario. After a challenging start staring down misogyny and intimidating behaviour, she finds innovative ways to engage the students. The novel idea of giving all students an ‘A grade’ which is theirs to lose strikes a chord.  As the school year progresses she wins them over, finding that behind all the bravado they actually are “polite kids with little or no educational skills”. The film documents her altruistic crusade to raise aspirations against a backdrop of school board criticism and a headteacher steadfast in his approach to oppose her methods. This is a tale of gritty resilience as a young educator grapples with the demands of winning over a difficult group of disadvantaged students and the soundtrack also features Coolio’s seminal ‘Gangster’s Paradise’ which can’t ever be a bad thing.  

Half Nelson

Teacher – Dann Dunn 

Actor – Ryan Gosling

Mr Dunn is a languid, sometimes laconic teacher whose habitual use of drink and drugs threatens his erudite approach. Whilst these characteristics might sound like the recipe for a disaster he’s actually a natural in the classroom. Challenging social norms, kicking back against a stale curriculum and forging his own unique style he forms a bond with Drey, a latchkey girl whose mother works nights and whose father is absent. Although Mr Dunn is prone to erratic behavior his nonchalant attitude betrays the fact that underneath it all he really wants to do the best for the students he works with. 

Despite the fact that this is a teacher whose career is more likely to burn out than fade away, he tries his best to stop Drey from being absorbed into the gang culture that surrounds her. He may be a flawed character, but whether it’s confronting a drug kingpin or remonstrating against a basketball referee on your behalf, he’s got your back and is willing to go down fighting. Gosling’s performance earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor and Mr Dunn’s 

Dead Poets Society 

Teacher – John Keating 

Actor – Robin Williams 

Starring a young Ethan Hawke and the peerless Robin Williams as his teacher; John Keating. This is the tale of an inspiring but unorthodox educator challenging the long held traditions of a New England Boy’s School. A former alumni of the school himself, the effusive and energetic Keating (a Cambridge graduate no less) hacks away at the deeply conservative values held by the boy’s school and their respective parents. Mr Keating adds a new perspective, encourages the boys to question their surroundings and changes their aspirations. Robin Williams delivers an unforgettable performance that has most likely inspired countless graduates to pursue a career at the chalk face. The film might be sentimental but no one can argue its power and the iconic “Oh Captain my Captain” scene that acts as the film’s finale is quite simply legendary!

Coach Carter 

Teacher – Ken Carter 

Actor – Samuel Jackson 

Mr Carter is the very definition of the strict, authoritarian teacher. The unshakable belief in his disciplined approach places academic progress above performance on the basketball court. As a new high school coach he inherits a team packed full of over confident and disrespectful students who see school as nothing more than an extension of the basketball court. However, Carter knows that education offers his players the single best chance to improve their life chances. Therefore he insists on players signing a ‘Jose Mourinho’ style contract. In order to play they have to guarantee to engage in their studies and maintain a good grade point average. There are objections from parents and even the school principal to his dictatorial approach. But as the film progresses the team improves and eventually players and parents come on side as the team becomes the pride of the neighbourhood it represents. This true story, based on the unrelenting nature of a Richmond high school coach deserves your respect. 

The Holdovers 

Teacher – Paul Hunham

Actor – Paul Giamatti    

Set in another strict New England Boy’s Boarding school this Christmas masterpiece tells the story of the students who have to remain on campus or “holdover” during the Christmas recess and the staff directed to chaperone them. Mr Hunham is a stubborn and jaded man who once harboured dreams of academic greatness. He resents the privilege of many of the students under his tutelage and is a believer in meritocracy. As such Mr Hunham is a stickler, a harsh grader and insists that the ‘holdovers’ continue to work and exercise throughout the holidays.

As the film progresses, however, we learn that he has a soft underbelly, is vulnerable and that his abrasive exterior belies his true self. A relationship develops between him and student Angus Tully. They attend parties, hangout and take a roadtrip to Boston. But will these events lead to trouble? To find out you will have to watch for yourself. This won’t be a problem as the brilliant subtlety in the performance of this character piece means that the film is set to become a mainstay of Christmas schedules for years to come. 

The Great Debaters 

Teacher – Melvin B Tolson

Actor – Denzel Washington 

Set in segregated Wiley College Texas during the pre-civil rights era. Mr Tolson is a fantastic orator who inspires his black students and stokes the fires of revolution. Sharp, clever and unrelenting in his pursuit to see his students achieve academic greatness he enlists four of the brightest students into his debate team. Flamboyant in his delivery and confident in his methods Mr Tolson is an enigmatic teacher. Tough and sharp as a razor his high expectations mould his students into some of the greatest orators of their age who challenge the racial hierarchies of the American college system. He encourages them to write their own dictionaries whilst taking note of black history and what is more, they become highly successful. This film; is based on the true story of a debate team that went down in history as it competed and won against many black and white colleges. It’s a moving watch!