Since we didn't really have time to discuss each film in depth in class last week, I thought some of you might have additional comments or analysis you'd like to share on the blog. What I'm particularly interested in is how you think your film's narrative contributes to popular conceptions -- or misconceptions -- about urban schools, teachers, students, and families. Beyond whether or not the film is entertaining or inspiring, what is it saying about city schools, and about what the kids in those schools need? Do you agree or disagree with that message, and why?
One way to think about it might be: If we were going to design urban school reform based on the stories and messages conveyed in these films, what would we do? What do they seem to be saying are the "answers" to the challenges of city schools? And do you agree?
4 comments:
As it turns out, I have stronger opinions on the film Lean on Me than I had originally thought. It really frustrated me to watch the tactics of the movie and respect what was going on in the school. If nothing else it shows the desperate nature that one test can evoke on a school. (how ironic that this movie was before NCLB). Mr. Clark did have a genuine concern for the students future. In order to save the school he needed to raise the test scores. Thus his concern inevitably became for the raised test scores-making that the most important goal. Looking back I don't remember learning being an objective. Him kicking the students out of school in the beginning of the movie was a desperate reaction to circumstances. Because he was successful I can't help but see a connected theme. It wasn't the pressure of the test that wasn't working, but the students themselves. Once these students were removed-and even locked out- things improved. Where's the happy ending in that?
I love movies a lot. I work at family video, and I would classify me as a movie maniac. However, I only have seen one of these movies. Watching these clips really sparked some emotion in me. I think the movie I got the most out of was Lean on Me. Even though Morgan Freeman was a dictator, I feel he was working toward what we all want. He got things done. I do not agree with his approach entirely; however, it almost needed to be done. I would really suggest the movie Half Nelson to people. I love how it broke down the stereotypes of the hero teacher. Also, it felt more real than the other movies. One movie I think Greg should add to next year is the movie High School High. It puts a comical twists on all the extreme stereotypes out there. One clip from that can spark one hell of a conversation. I think all these movies were great, but also misleading at times. I get tired of films such as Freedom Writers, because I want to roll my eyes for about have the film. We need these films to speak truth. There are a lot of problems with urban education, and we do not need Hollywood mis communicating it to the entire world.
I have seen all of the movies discussed except for Half Nelson, and i kinda feel like that one is the most important one to see. The role of the teacher/coach/principle in all of these movies was the biggest and most part in the students' lives. However i think that there are a lot of things that aren't taken into account. There are other large influences especially in a high school atmosphere. I understand the whole logic that one teacher can change your thinking but when you only have that teacher for 45 to 50 mins every day and have 6 to 7 other teachers effecting you i can't help but feel as if the response to the teacher isn't as high as if it was a grammar school setting with only on instructor. There is also the whole idea of cultural family life. Besides it is important to think about the fact that these students are adolescents. they are not fully developed mentally to really understand and internalize the consequences of the decisions that they make. It is proven that peers become the largest impact of an adolescents life. Adolesences is a difficult time and to add on to it with problems of gangs, parental issues, problems within the community, and peer pressure a teacher must dig really really deep to reach a student let alone a whole entire classroom, team or school. Yet here are examples of teachers, coaches, and principals that some how reach every student they meet and it is just unrealistic. It can give incoming teachers the idea that if they work hard enough this is a possible outcome and if they don't reach it then they aren't as good of a teacher. Teachers already have plenty of reasons not to step into this profession, whether it's pay, administration, or even governmental aspects. Why do movies like these need to give future teachers false hope when in all honesty it is next to impossible to reach every student or even actually see the effect you have on them. Most of the time a teacher may not see what they have instilled in a student regardless of how large the impact is. These types movies used to be my favorite but after really looking at them i can't help but feel like they are just a slap in the face to teachers who really are going out there every day in city schools or suburban schools or rural schools.
A hero teacher doesn't need to exist to be good teacher and have a huge impact on the lives we do interact with.
When beginning to watch Coach Carter to prepare for my presentation, I thought it would be challenging; I have already seen the film, and I really like it, so I thought it would be hard seeing faults in it. However, once I began watching the film with a critical eye, I was shocked (and disappointed) by the number of stereotypes I saw. I guess because whenever I've seen the movie, which prior to this assignment has to be at least 3x, I never really noticed them before. I think that this is a problem in our society, because we see stereotypes and don't think anything of them. We just accept it for what they are, and continue to watch the film.
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