The movie I am writing about is named Dangerous Minds and the film maker’s purpose in making the movie seems to be to portray a super teacher’s ability to reach even students who have been labeled the worst of the worst. The director achieves this narrative by first setting the scene from the beginning. The scene was of students, mainly Hispanics and blacks from the ghetto. Music being played was rap and there were suggestions of drugs circulating among the student population. The new female instructor was thrown into the classroom that the “reject” students occupied. The teacher wasn’t even given a proper interview or even had the proper credentials. It shows the instructor reading a book to learn how to fix the issue of not reaching the students. The school also did not have the necessary equipment to do her job, like a copier.
This film tells us that the students from impoverished homes were the most likely ones to fail and were also predominantly black or Hispanic. They were also portrayed as being the most difficult individuals to help. It also portrayed the families of these, low socioeconomic class, as possibly being a direct problem when trying to overcome the student’s issues. It showed that to reach these students, taking about death and drugs, is a good place to start.
This movie portrayed that the male population was more likely to end up in violent situations and be involved with drugs. Also males are more likely to end up at the head of the school hierarchy making emotionally detached decisions. Also female teachers are most likely the ones to care and become attached. Female teachers are also portrayed as the ones that will burn out faster.
This film pointed out the importance of getting to know your students, not just their lives at school but also their home experiences. This movie points out the value of encouragements even for the small progresses. The value of using prizes was also a point made but even more important, to stress the fact that the rewards should be intrinsic first and foremost. It shows the huge burden that some teachers may have to overcome but that it is possible.
What I found to be realistic about how the teaching profession was portrayed is to expect that teachers do get attached to some of their students. It is also realistic that sometimes a teacher may encounter a tragedy in a student’s life or actually loose a student. It is also realistic that a teacher may end up burnt out and want to abandon the profession. A teacher may also encounter the situation where the school is not properly equipped with the necessary tools of the trade.
This film’s portrayal of a teacher was almost dead on with the formula that Farhi described in his article. The only difference was, instead of being a male teacher she was female. I guess to make up for the fact that this teacher was female the director made her an ex-marine who knew karate. She did not have a social life and the Hollywood reason for no social lie seems to revolve around the character being divorced. She also reached the students in a very short amount of time where several other teachers failed in the past. She was ready and willing to go up against the school board and was not looked upon favorably by the school staff.
The high-leverage practices that I saw from this teacher were when she tried to reach out to her student’s parents via phone and when there were phone numbers, she went to their homes. She got to know the students in her class by reaching out to them separately. She praised them and rewarded them with small gifts like candy. She also spent her own money to treat them to a day out as a class. She set up a contest and had them work in groups of 3s. She inspired them to think outside the box and read poetry. She challenged them with the poetry, showing them they could do more than they previously believed possible. She inspired them within each class discussion to go beyond what they originally thought they could. She also pointed out their individual strong suits and let them know she believed in them and was proud of them.
Muhitch EDU Blog 
Sandra, I really enjoyed reading your blog. I didn’t watch “Dangerous Minds” but after your blog I might. I appreciate how you found the things in the movie that were realistic. Hollywood’s first goal is to entertain. I think, for the most part, the stereotypes they create are a byproduct of what makes movies interesting. What I find more fascinating is that moviegoers allow their concepts of professions to be molded by what they viewed for entertainment. Somehow there seems to be a disconnect between reality and perception. The “superteacher” myth is a perfect example of Hollywood fiction being transformed into reality in the minds of the public. Having said that, however, there are many, many dedicated teachers. Teachers can indeed make a difference in the life of a student.
I watched “Mr. Holland’s Opus.” Unlike the teacher in “Dangerous Minds”, I didn’t find him to be portrayed as a super anything. He was a regular guy who chose teaching as a “fall back” job. His high school was not in crisis. His principal was dedicated and good at her job. He had a coach/mentor who helped him become a better teacher. Holland, in fact, was a rather terrible teacher his first year. He had to learn how to teach. In the process, we see all his frustrated grumpiness. He’s got a bad attitude and is indifferent to his students. He is a “bad” teacher who becomes a “great” teacher, but it doesn’t happen overnight. At first he’s got his back to the class, reading out of a textbook and teaching in a monotonous, dreary tone. He is harsh, demanding and blames his students for not learning as opposed to himself for not teaching. What makes him a great teacher is that over time he begins watching his students to see if they “get” it. He stops trying to teach notes on the page and starts trying to find ways to get them to understand creating music. He is dedicated and spends a lot of his free time working with students, but I’m not sure that’s unrealistic. Teachers spend lots of time outside of class working, grading papers, tutoring, etc. The governor, his former student, comes at the end to honor his career but she doesn’t miraculously save the music department. I found the movie not so far from reality. It was a good movie. I enjoyed it very much.
I think people need to make distinctions between obvious “hero” movies and movies more true to life. For example, “Saving Private Ryan” purposed to realistically portray the brave men who fought on D-Day while “Rambo” hardly portrayed a Vietnam veteran realistically. But realistic doesn’t have to take anything away from someone who is really good at their job and the impact that person has in his or her profession. The men in “Saving Private Ryan” were heroes. They didn’t have to be Rambo. Mr. Holland was a depiction of a dedicated, good teacher. He didn’t have to be a “superteacher.” I like the distinction because sometimes “superteachers” are fun to watch.
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Tracy, you’re absolutely right. First, Mr. Holland’s Opus doesn’t fit the superteacher formula even though Dangerous Minds very much does. Second, we need some media literacy so citizens can be critical consumers of media. 🙂
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