10 Best Movie & Television Teachers
We took a look at some of the most visible television & movies teachers and came away wishing some were real. Here are the 10 best TV and Movie teachers we wish were real...next up, we'll also take a look at the 10 TV & movie teachers we're glad exist in fiction only.
1. Jaime EscalanteJaime is our #1 teacher from Hollywood. Stand and Deliver is a must-watch for all teachers. And come on, with Edward James Olmos and LDP "the talent" in the same movie...you can't go wrong. Best line: "Tough guys don't do math. Tough guys fry chicken for a living." |
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2. John Keating – Dead Poets SocietyOh Captain My Captain. While I was never much for poetry personally, Mr. Keating makes me want to pick up some Byron. Best line: |
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3. "Prez" Prezbylooski – The WirePrez from The Wire is a former cop turned teacher in Baltimore Public Schools. He goes through some tough times early on but proves to be just what the kids need. The Wire is an excellent HBO show and the plotline from season 3 revolves heavily around the school system. |
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4. Mr. Holland – Mr Holland’s OpusThink teaching is a side gig? Glenn Holland takes a teaching job to make some cash while his real career in music is getting rolling. Sorry - 30 years later he finds teaching is a lifestyle. Best teacher quote: "A teacher has two jobs; fill young minds with knowledge, yes, but more important, give those minds a compass so that that knowledge doesn't go to waste." |
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5. LouAnne Johnson - Dangerous MindsAnother "lightweight in a tough school" movie, but Michelle Pfeiffer portrays a inner-city teacher and sure enough gets some real learning accomplished. |
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6. Dewey Finn - School of RockWhile maybe not the ideal role model for a teacher, Jack Black is our 2nd music teacher on the list. Nevermind that his classroom isn't music class - fun movie & great music. Best line: "Those that can't do, teach, and those that can't teach... teach gym. " |
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7. Mr. Shoop - Summer SchoolImagine having to cancel your trip to Hawaii and teach summer school instead. Even worse it's the misfits of the school, including a student named "Chainsaw." Best line: "I've been handing out assignments and the kids turn them in and everything. It's almost like school in there." |
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8. Mr. Kotter - Welcome Back Kotter!If you can get around the huge hair and horrible laugh tracks, Welcome Back Kotter had some great moments. This is from episode 1 scene 1. Best line: John Travolta gets all the good ones. Classics like "Up your nose with a rubber hose." |
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9. Professor Minerva McGonagall– Harry PotterEver thought your students had special powers? Poor Professor Minerva actually had to deal with it for real. Best line: “We teachers are rather good at magic, you know.” (ahhh so true, so true)
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10. Arnold S. Kindergarten cop.Best line: "It's not a tumah" |

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