Teachers from TV and Movies That Inspired Us to be Better Educators
Teachers from TV and Movies That Inspired Us to be Better Educators
It's hard enough to name all the real-life educators who inspire us (there are too many!) so we thought we'd try and round up a few from our favorite TV shows and movies. Take a look at six unforgettable teachers who taught and inspired us from the screen before it was cool:
Mr. Kotter – Welcome Back, Kotter
Gabe Kotter was a sarcastic but well-meaning teacher who returns to his alma mater, James Buchanan High, to teach a group of remedial students. Once a member of the oddball remedial class himself, he had a special understanding of the potential of the supposedly “unteachable” students. Mr. Kotter taught a generation of kids to not give up, and that even if you’re different – you have potential. We love him for it.
George Feeny – Boy Meets World
Throughout Boy Meets World’s seven seasons, Mr. Feeny goes above and beyond to guide his students as they navigate their way to adulthood. We get to watch his career progression from grade-school teacher, to high school principal, and lastly to college professor. He’s the ultimate teacher-turned-mentor, showing audiences just how much educators care about their students outside of the classroom. We’ll never forget his final line to an empty classroom, “I love you all, class dismissed.”
Jack Black - School of Rock
An unconventional teacher for sure, “Mr. S” hijacks a private school classroom and uses his new students as a way to join a battle of the bands competition. We’ll let you decide if he was a good educator or not, but we must point out that he taught his students and viewers that there’s more to school and learning than books. Sometimes the best way to learn is to get hands out and immerse yourself.
Mr. Miyagi - The Karate Kid
Mr. Miyagi from the Karate Kid is another teacher who shines from outside of the traditional classroom. At first, his student Daniel is frustrated by the seemingly menial chores Mr. Miyagi has him complete, but overtime Daniel understands that Mr. Miyagi has really been teaching him different karate techniques. Mr. Miyagi reminds us the importance of teaching with intention, and that practice does make perfect. Mr. Miyagi also personifies patience and wisdom, characteristics needed in all educators, especially when it comes to teaching in 2020.
Ms. Norbury - Mean Girls
One of the coolest things about Mean Girls, and Ms. Norbury in particular, is that it shows how even though high school may be over, sometimes high school teachers have to rise above the drama, too. Ms. Norbury is the agent of change in the movie who ends up radically reshaping the dynamic between the girls at her school, and never gives up on her student Cady. She’s the teacher whose honesty makes us laugh, and we feel for her when she gives her students a second chance, knowing we’d do the same.
Ms. Frizzle - The Magic School Bus
Who doesn’t want to be Ms. Frizzle with her famous Magic School Bus? Not only did her field trips take hands on learning to another planet (literally), she was also somehow able to get all those field trips approved under the school budget (truly, the greatest magic trick of all)! Ms. Frizzle is a teacher who delights teachers as much as she does students, and has a knack for making learning feel like a real treat. She dropped some serious knowledge on her students and viewers such as, “No matter what people tell you, words can change the world” and “Asking the right questions takes as much a skill as giving the right answers.”
There's nothing better than a little educator inspiration! Be sure to check out the Educator Inspiration tag on our blog for the osscasional dose of heartwarming motivation, and don't forget to share your inspiring educator stories with us on social by tagging @edmentum!
