Many times over, you’ll have heard how being a teacher is the most thankless job. These unsung heroes who play an important part in shaping our future by guiding us onto the right path from a young age, and helping us grow as individuals, are the same ones who have to deal with years of moans and groans, talking back and lots of rowdy behaviour. It’s only much later in life that you think back and realise how much these people did for you and how thankful you actually are for their existence. So, this Teacher’s Day, we wanted to help you with a list of some superb movies that very rightly showcase the underrated, but overly important job and role of a teacher in everyone’s lives.
Dangerous Minds
Michelle Pfeiffer plays a teacher who took up a teaching job in a poverty-stricken neighbourhood filled with African-American and Latino kids. It is based on the autobiography of LouAnne Johnson, titled My Posse Don’t Do Homework.
Dead Poets Society
The late Robin Williams plays an English teacher who uses poetry to get through to his students. A stellar performance.
Freedom Writers
This movie is also based on a book called The Freedom Writers Diary and follows a teacher who inspires her students to write. Hillary Swank is in the title role.
Karate Kid
Although this movie was first released in 1984, people still know it today despite the many sequels and remakes. If that doesn’t make you want to watch this cult classic, we don’t know what will.
Sister Act 2: Back In The Habit
Whoopie Goldberg as a nun is one of the most iconic 90s movies ever. There’s emotion, song and dance all wrapped up in one heart-warming movie.
School Of Rock
Jack Black‘s role in this movie is one of a struggling musician who decides to act like a substitute teacher in order to get his career back on track. Hilarious, engaging and filled with music, you will be happy you watched this one if you haven’t already.
Kung Fu Panda
This movie uses a cute panda to teach you a valuable lesson about overcoming obstacles in your path by believing in yourself. Jack Black voices Po and is hilariously panda-like and on point.
Finding Forrester
Sean Connery plays a writer who helps a student refine his skills. This is also apparently one of the last movies he did before retiring.
Precious
Back in 2009, Precious hit the scene and instantly won critical acclaim. The story touches upon abuse and was adapted for the screen from a book called Push.
Stand & Deliver
This movie tackles the true story of a math teacher, Jaime Escalante who works with working-class students who are struggling in school as well as in life.
Music Of The Heart
Any movie with Meryl Streep is bound to be a winner, right? And even more so if it is based on a true story like this one about the teacher who fought for funds to teach music in public schools in New York.
The Ron Clark Story
Matthew Perry plays the lead role in this real-life story of a teacher in the public school system in America.
October Sky
This Jake Gyllenhaal-starrer perfectly encapsulates the role of a teacher in shaping someone’s future and paving the way for opportunities that they might not have otherwise had.
Good Will Hunting
Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Robin Willams come together in this perfect movie that rounds off this list. It’s about a math genius who finds his way out of trouble and into a better life.
Tell us which one is your favourite! (After watching all, obviously!)
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