Reality Check, I Am Not Hilary Swank: How American Teacher-Centric Commercial Films Tried and Failed To Teach Me How to Be a Teacher

Abstract

Over the last several decades, teachers have been the subjects of countless American commercial films. Infecting popular culture as box office hits, these teacher-centric movies have a huge influence on public perception of teachers and teaching. However, the medium of commercial film is not adequate to capture the lifestyles, roles, and responsibilities of real teachers. American Teacher Movies are often embellished, underdeveloped, and/or inaccurate in the way they conceptualize and represent teachers and teaching. As a consequence, many pre-service or new teachers enter the field with misinformation; their perceptions of the teaching profession have been distorted by what they witness in teacher-centric films. The resulting unrealistic or misguided expectations may contribute to the exodus of young teachers who leave the profession in their first few years of teaching. This study analyzes the depictions of teachers and teaching in eight popular commercial films produced in America in the 90's and early 2000's and examines the implied expectations or stereotypes the films create or endorse. Each film is surveyed and evaluated through the lens and experiences of a pre-service teacher. This project will allow me chronicle my responses to the representations of teaching I witness in the films and also compare them to my own experiences. Through this narrative inquiry of American teacher-centric films, I hope to encourage teacher candidates to view Teacher Movies with a critical eye so that they may develop realistic expectations and identities as aspiring teachers.