An inspirational teacher can make a world of difference to a student. We’ve all seen this in our own lives. Sometimes it’s in smaller ways. An encouraging word, a nudge in the right direction. Sometimes, though, teachers go so far above and beyond, they make movies about them! Not all the movies below are true stories (Dead Poets Society isn’t, as far as I know), but they’re still incredibly inspiring! Here are some of the most inspirational movie about teachers.
Inspirational Movies About Teachers
Stand and Deliver– 1982- stars Edward James Olmos, Lou Diamond Phillips, Rosanna DeSoto and Andy Garcia. This movie is the story of a new teacher at a high school. He takes the position with the intent of changing the academic structure as well as teaching the students by taking personal issues and relating them to the academic lessons. He shows the meaning of what a resolute and inspirational educator really is.
Dead Poet Society– 1989- stars Robin Williams and Ethan Hawke. This is probably one of the greatest teacher movies ever. It showcases an English teacher who had literary allusions and inspiring quotes and metaphors. Robin Williams plays the role of a professor who is a bit on the rebellious side. When he returns to stir things up at his Alma Mater, he is set on doing things his way. He gains the ultimate respect from each and every one of his students.
Freedom Writers– 2007- stars Hilary Swank, Scott Glenn, Imelda Stauton and Patrick Dempsey. This movie is derived from the book, The Freedom Writer Diary by Erin Gruwell, a teacher that goes outside her comfort zone to teach at a high school that is self-segregating. The story combines various backgrounds and classes to form one community of family members through the world of writing. Hilary Swank does an outstanding job as the teacher who gives each of her students a journal so they can express their deepest thoughts. What she gets back is something she will never forget.
Lean On Me– 1989- stars Morgan Freeman, Beverly Todd and Robert Guillaume. This is a movie about a teacher who taught at a prestigious high school. He leaves his position only to come back to find that the school is now filled with teens who engage in drug use and gang violence. When he is hired as the school’s principle, he is determined to turn the school around back to the way it used to be.
These four inspirational movies about teachers all moved us all in some way when we saw them. If we were kids, we wished they could be our teachers. Maybe they taught us to look at our own teachers in a new light. If we were already grown, we were inspired to become better role models for the younger generation that we were responsible for. Some of them are older. Freedom Writers is a bit newer. The messages in each of these inspirational movies about teachers remains, though.
For more back to school related posts, please visit a few of my favorite blogs:
- Bullying Movies for High School from In Our Spare Time
- Movies to Watch Before You Graduate High School from My Kids Guide
- Required Reading: 7 Novels You Actually WANT to Read Before College from Pretty Opinionated
- 5 Fun Back-to-School Movies from Mom Does it All
- 20 Back to School Movie Suggestions from Day by Day in Our World
- Movies about More than School by How Was Your Day?
- Picture Books to Get Ready for School by SMS Non Fiction Book Reviews
Do you have any favorite inspirational movies about teachers? Tell us about it in the comments!
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Of the movies you listed I have only seen Freedom Writers which I really really enjoyed! I am excited to add these movies to my ‘to watch’ list! There are a few other good ones but I can’t think of the names off hand. Great post!
I have seen a few of those movies. They are really good. I need to add a couple more to my play list. To see if Netflix has them. I enjoy action movies. Such as : The Principal.
There are so many inspirational movies about teachers out there. This is a great list. I love Lean On Me. I remember watching that movie when I was younger and thankful I didn’t have to attend that school. Boy was it rough.
Dead Poet’s society is a favorite of mine. Love Robin Williams. sigh.
When I first read the title of your post all I could think about was oh this list better include Dead Poet’s Society, definitely my favorite movie about inspiring teachers. I’ve only seen one other movie from this list but just added the others to my “to-watch” list. I love inspiring movies like this, especially if they’re based on a true story!
What a great list! I’ve watched ‘Lean on Me’ and ‘Stand and Deliver’, teared me up.
I truly believe teachers have such a huge impact on our kids, yet they are undervalued. I remember a handful of really great teachers I had while I was in school. Some of the movies you listed above are classics and they serve as a great reminder about others that can influence an individual.
I haven’t seen any of these movies but now I have a few to add to Netflix. I have seen a character here and there that I thought would have been an interesting teacher to have like the writing teacher in My Girl, mainly because he showed that he cared for the main character and that movie always evokes emotion in me.
I don’t think I have seen any of those movies – not even Dead Poets Society and I know that is a popular one out there. I mean, I watch a LOT of movies, I guess those ones have skipped my radar for some reason. Maybe today, considering it’s a bit cloudy and gloomy out, I’ll pop on the Netflix and see if these flicks are on there – I mean, what better way to spend an afternoon, cozied up under a blanket watching some awesome movies? Nothin, I tell ya! 🙂 I almost wish for more rainy days.
Would you believe that I haven’t seen any of these either? I’ll have to see what’s available on Netflix.
Dead Poet’s Society is one of my absolute favorite movies of any genrea. I’ve probably seen it 30 times.
I dont think I have seen any of these. I will have to keep my eye out for a few to watch with my teens!
These sound like great recommendations! I think it’s time for me to watch Dead Poets Society once again! So good!
All great movies! Dead Poets Society is one of my favorites – can’t even count how many times I”ve seen it.
Stand and deliver is one of my favorites. Especially because it is based on a true story
I’ve seen them all and they were extraordinarily great movies. As a former teacher, these spoke to me and I would watch them again.
When I saw the title, I knew that Stand and Deliver had to be on there. I haven’t seen some of the others.
My all time favourite would be “To Sir, With Love.” Great movies all!
Mr. Holland’s Opus is another good one.
Lean on Me and Stand and Deliver I’ve seen at least 10 times each! Love them.
Great post! I’m a teacher and have always loved movies about teachers. Dead Poet’s Society is one of my all-time favourite movies. I haven’t watched it forever, I think it’s time I watch it again!
I just watched McFarland, USA, and I thought it was great!
Wow I have only heard of Dead Poets Society, none of the other films. Will definitely have to check them out, thanks for sharing!
What a wonderful list of movies, thank you for sharing 🙂
What a great list! I had forgotten about Stand and Deliver, and I don’t think I’ve ever heard of the Freedom Writers. I wonder if it’s on Netflix.
I can’t believe that I have only seen one of these. I will definitely be checking out the other ones. Thanks!
These are definitely must see movies. I really loved Stand and Deliver.