Movies About Teachers Who Make A Difference

From Gus Van Sant, starring Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Stellan Skarsgård
Rated R

Good Will Hunting is a 1997 American drama film directed by Gus Van Sant and starring Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Minnie Driver, and Stellan Skarsgård. The film follows 20-year-old Will Hunting, a janitor at MIT, who is a gifted mathematical genius but has a troubled past. After an incident with the police, his therapist, Sean Maguire, encourages him to take an opportunity to solve a difficult graduate-level math problem. With the guidance of Professor Gerald Lambeau, Will's gifts begin to emerge, allowing him to confront the circumstances that have kept him from realizing his potential. Will must also come to terms with his relationships with Professor Lambeau, his girlfriend Skylar, and his best friend Chuckie. Ultimately, Will must learn to accept himself and make peace with his past in order to move forward in life.

From Peter Weir, starring Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke, Josh Charles
Rated PG

Dead Poets Society is a 1989 American drama film directed by Peter Weir, written by Tom Schulman, and starring Robin Williams. Set in 1959 at the fictional elite conservative Vermont boarding school Welton Academy, it tells the story of an English teacher who inspires his students through his teaching of poetry. The story follows the students of Welton Academy, who are encouraged to strive for excellence and are well-versed in literature. Todd Anderson (Ethan Hawke) is a shy, introverted student who is under pressure to go to Harvard and become a doctor, just like his older brother. When John Keating (Robin Williams) arrives as the new English teacher, he brings a unique teaching technique that encourages the boys to think for themselves, stand up for what they believe in, and make their lives full of adventure and passion. The boys are inspired by Keating's teachings and form the Dead Poets Society, a secret club where they discuss poetry, rebellion and freedom. After some of the boys get caught breaking the school's strict rules, they face expulsion and are forced to confront the true power of their convictions. Dead Poets Society is a powerful story about the power of words, friendship, and the transformation of young minds

From Arthur Penn, starring Anne Bancroft, Patty Duke, Victor Jory, Inga Swenson
Rated Approved

The Miracle Worker is a 1962 American biographical drama film directed by Arthur Penn. It is based on Helen Keller's autobiography The Story of My Life, and depicts her life as a child, and how teacher Anne Sullivan was able to bring light into her dark and isolated world. The film follows the relationship between Helen and Anne, as Anne uses patience and perseverance to teach Helen language and communication. In the end, Anne is able to break through Helen's silence, and the two form an unbreakable bond. The film stars Anne Bancroft as Anne Sullivan and Patty Duke as Helen Keller, and was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress. The Miracle Worker is widely considered a classic, and is lauded for its powerful performances and its sensitive exploration of themes of disability, communication and love.

From Stanley Kramer, starring Spencer Tracy, Fredric March, Gene Kelly, Dick York
Rated Passed

Inherit the Wind is a 1960 American drama movie based on the play of the same name. The movie follows a small-town Tennessee teacher who is put on trial for teaching the theory of evolution in his high school classroom. The trial is supported by a local church, which believes that Darwin's theory of evolution contradicts the Bible. The teacher is defended by a famous lawyer, Henry Drummond, and a local attorney, Matthew Brady, who argue that the teacher has the freedom to teach whatever he wants. The case has become a national sensation, with both sides debating the merits of science and religion. The trial culminates with a passionate closing argument that underscores the importance of individual freedom of thought. The movie was directed by Stanley Kramer, and stars Spencer Tracy, Gene Kelly, and Fredric March.

From Christophe Barratier, starring Gérard Jugnot, François Berléand, Jean-Baptiste Maunier, Kad Merad
Rated PG-13

The Chorus (Les Choristes) is a 2004 French film directed by Christophe Barratier. Set in 1949, it tells the story of Clément Mathieu (Gérard Jugnot), an aging musician and teacher who takes a job as the supervisor of a boarding school for troubled boys at a residential school in France. Mathieu is initially met with resistance from the boys, who are unruly and disrespectful of authority. However, over time, he wins them over with his patience and understanding. He forms a choir of the boys and encourages them to use music as a way to express their feelings and bond with each other. Through Mathieu's influence, the boys discover the power of friendship and music, and ultimately find a way to cope with their difficult lives and past traumas. The film ultimately shows the transformative power of love and art.

From Nicolas Philibert, starring Georges Lopez, Alizé, Axel Thouvenin, Guillaume
Rated Not Rated

"To Be and to Have" is a documentary directed by Nicolas Philibert that tells the story of Georges Lopez, a primary school teacher in a tiny village in Auvergne, France. The film follows Georges and his students, as well as other members of the community, over the course of a year in the teacher's classroom. The film is an intimate portrait of the teacher-student relationship, and shows how Georges and his students work together to learn, grow, and develop a bond. The film captures the warmth and humanity of the teacher-student bond, as well as the joys and struggles of the process of learning. As the year progresses, Georges deals with his own feelings of loss, as he is forced to confront his own mortality. The film is a beautiful exploration of the power of teaching, and of the potential of children to learn and grow.

From Joe Johnston, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Laura Dern, Chris Owen
Rated PG

October Sky is a 1999 American biographical drama film directed by Joe Johnston, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, and Laura Dern. Based on the true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner's son who dreams of becoming a rocket scientist, the film follows his quest to build and launch rockets as a teenager in a small West Virginia mining town in the late 1950s. With the help of his friends and teacher, Homer is determined to beat the odds and make his dreams come true. Along the way, he learns important life lessons about family, loyalty, and following one's dreams. October Sky is an inspirational story of a young man's ambition and the power of determination.

From Yimou Zhang, starring Minzhi Wei, Huike Zhang, Zhenda Tian, Enman Gao
Rated G

Not One Less is a 1999 Chinese drama film directed by Zhang Yimou. Set in a small village in rural China, the film tells the story of an inexperienced 13-year-old girl, Wei Minzhi, who is hired as a substitute teacher for a month while the teacher is away on a medical leave. Wei is given the daunting task of managing a class of 30 unruly students and a limited budget. Despite her initial struggles, Wei gradually develops into a capable teacher, engaging her students in creative learning activities and teaching them the value of hard work. As the month progresses, Wei discovers one of her students has left to find work in the city, and she desperately sets out to find him and bring him back. In her search she is forced to confront difficult social and economic realities as well as her own limitations. A powerful story of resilience and determination, Not One Less is a heartfelt celebration of teachers and education.

From Tony Kaye, starring Adrien Brody, Christina Hendricks, Marcia Gay Harden, Lucy Liu
Rated Not Rated

Detachment is a powerful drama about a substitute teacher, Henry Barthes (Adrien Brody), who drifts from school to school, shying away from forming any real attachments to the students or faculty. He finds himself at yet another school, but this time something is different. After a series of personal and professional crises, Henry is forced to confront his own loneliness and isolation. As he grows closer to his students and faculty, he begins to find a purpose in life, a way to make a difference and form meaningful connections in the lives of those around him. Despite his efforts, Henry can never quite seem to escape the past, and his search for redemption continues.

From James Clavell, starring Sidney Poitier, Judy Geeson, Christian Roberts, Suzy Kendall
Rated Approved

Based on E.R. Braithwaite's autobiographical novel of the same name, To Sir, with Love follows Mark Thackeray (Sidney Poitier), a young engineer who takes a teaching job in a tough, inner-city school in London's East End. Thackeray finds himself in a battle of wills with his students, who are accustomed to taking orders from their teachers but are not used to being treated with respect. Through his dedication and his refusal to give up on any of his students, Thackeray slowly earns their respect, and together they learn to trust one another and to take responsibility for their own lives. By the end of the film, Thackeray's students have become productive members of society and each of them has a more optimistic outlook on life.

From Richard LaGravenese, starring Hilary Swank, Imelda Staunton, Patrick Dempsey, Scott Glenn
Rated PG-13

Freedom Writers is a 2007 American drama film directed by Richard LaGravenese, starring Hilary Swank, Scott Glenn, Imelda Staunton, Patrick Dempsey, and Mario. The film is based on the 1999 book The Freedom Writers Diary by teacher Erin Gruwell, who wrote the story based on Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, California. The story follows Gruwell (Swank), a new, idealistic teacher who takes a job at a newly-integrated, inner-city high school. She is met with tepid reception from her students, who are divided along racial and cultural lines. Gruwell meets with resistance from her students, but she finds a powerful way to reach out to them: by introducing them to the true stories of the Holocaust. She assigns them to write a diary documenting their own stories, giving them a platform to tell their own tales. Through the diaries, Gruwell is able to find a common ground for her students, who slowly learn to trust and respect each other. Freedom Writers delivers a powerful message about the importance of tolerance and understanding. Through the story, Gruwell shows her students that education can help them break down the barriers of prejudice and bigotry and equip them with the skills

From Laurent Cantet, starring François Bégaudeau, Agame Malembo-Emene, Angélica Sancio, Arthur Fogel
Rated PG-13

The Class is a 2008 French drama film directed by Laurent Cantet, based on the 2006 novel Entre Les Murs by François Bégaudeau. The film follows a year in the life of a French class in a Parisian high school, focusing on their teacher, François Marin (played by Bégaudeau himself). Throughout the school year, François struggles to manage his students, some of whom are disruptive, while trying to teach them literature and other subjects. Despite their occasional misbehavior, it is clear that François cares deeply for his students, and is passionate about trying to make a difference in their lives. At the same time, the film offers an often frank and sometimes poignant look at the realities of education in France, and explores the power dynamics between students and teachers in the classroom. As the school year progresses, the relationships between François and his students, as well as among the students themselves, become increasingly complex and nuanced. In the end, The Class is a powerful and thought-provoking film that captures both the pain and beauty of teaching, and of growing up.

From Philippe Falardeau, starring Mohamed Fellag, Sophie Nélisse, Émilien Néron, Danielle Proulx
Rated PG-13

Monsieur Lazhar is an acclaimed 2011 French-Canadian drama film written and directed by Philippe Falardeau. The film follows an Algerian immigrant, Bachir Lazhar (Mohamed Fellag), who, after the suicide of an elementary school teacher, is hired to replace her. Though he is not a trained teacher, he wins over the students with his kind demeanor and unconventional methods. As the school administrators and teachers struggle to deal with the tragedy, Bachir's presence helps to ease the tension. At the same time, he must come to terms with his own past and his new identity as an immigrant. The film is a sensitive exploration of grief, loss, identity and the power of education.

From John G. Avildsen, starring Morgan Freeman, Beverly Todd, Robert Guillaume, Alan North
Rated PG-13

From Richard Brooks, starring Glenn Ford, Anne Francis, Louis Calhern, Margaret Hayes
Rated Approved

From Stephen Herek, starring Richard Dreyfuss, Glenne Headly, Jay Thomas, Olympia Dukakis
Rated PG

From Mimi Leder, starring Kevin Spacey, Haley Joel Osment, Helen Hunt, Jay Mohr
Rated PG-13

From Lewis Gilbert, starring Michael Caine, Julie Walters, Michael Williams, Maureen Lipman
Rated PG

From Michael Hoffman, starring Kevin Kline, Emile Hirsch, Joel Gretsch, Embeth Davidtz
Rated PG-13

From Mel Gibson, starring Mel Gibson, Nick Stahl, Margaret Whitton, Fay Masterson
Rated PG-13

From Mike Newell, starring Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhaal
Rated PG-13

From Mike Akel, starring Troy Schremmer, Janelle Schremmer, Shannon Haragan, Chris Mass
Rated PG-13

From Arthur Hiller, starring Nick Nolte, JoBeth Williams, Judd Hirsch, Ralph Macchio
Rated R