Teachers of principles and values

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Opinion

Mon, December 4, 2023 | 06:20

Thoughts of the Times

Teachers in movies who never give in

Posted : 2023-10-03 16:30

Updated : 2023-10-03 16:30

By Sho Chang-young

During the gloomy late summer due to the sad news about the teachers, I rewatched two memorable movies. "Dead Poets Society" (1989) and "To Sir, with Love" (1967) are two classic films that delve into the world of education, offering valuable lessons and implications for today's challenging educational setting.

"Dead Poets Society," directed by Peter Weir, is set in an elite all-boys preparatory school in the 1950s. The film follows the story of John Keating (played by Robin Williams), an English teacher with unconventional teaching methods. Keating inspires his students to seize the day and think for themselves by introducing them to the power of poetry and literature. He encourages them to break free from conformity, embrace individuality and pursue their passions.

The film explores themes such as the conflict between tradition and innovation in education, the importance of fostering critical thinking and the impact of a dedicated teacher on the lives of students. Tragedy strikes when one of Keating's students takes his own life, leading to a crisis that questions Keating's methods. Ultimately, the movie underscores the idea that education should not be solely about rote learning but should also nurture creativity, self-expression and independent thinking.

A film widely known for its theme song of the same title sung by Lulu, "To Sir, with Love," directed by James Clavell, is a 1967 film starring Sidney Poitier as Mark Thackeray, a Black engineer who takes up a teaching position in an East London school populated by unruly and disadvantaged students. Thackeray faces a classroom full of rebellious teenagers who initially have no respect for him. However, he employs unconventional teaching techniques, emphasizing respect, manners and life skills alongside academics. Through his unwavering commitment and genuine care for his students, he gradually earns their respect and transforms their lives.

The film touches on themes such as racial prejudice, social class divisions and the power of education to bridge these gaps. It highlights the importance of teachers connecting with their students on a personal level, understanding their backgrounds and challenges and providing a supportive environment where students can grow academically and emotionally.

Both movies emphasize the need for educators to nurture critical thinking and individuality among students. In today's educational situation, which often places heavy emphasis on standardized testing and conformity, teachers can draw inspiration from these films to encourage students to think independently, ask questions and explore their passions.

"Dead Poets Society" highlights the tension between tradition and innovation in education. Today's teachers can find a balance by respecting the value of established teaching methods while also incorporating innovative approaches that cater to diverse learning styles and needs.

"To Sir, with Love" underscores the importance of building strong teacher-student relationships based on empathy and mutual respect. Teachers can learn from Mark Thackeray's approach of understanding his students' backgrounds and challenges, as this can lead to better student engagement and success.

It goes without saying that the robust role of teachers in education is crucial, and these two films dramatize it. The only slight difference is that James Clavell’s work emphasizes how to instruct rude students, while Peter Weir’s stresses striving for a proper education without giving in to interference from parents and others.

I highly recommend watching these two films once again to the discouraged teachers. Fortunately, the "Four Bills for the Protection of Teaching Rights" were passed recently during a regular session of the National Assembly. I sincerely hope that teachers in the field will be re-energized and stand firmly on the faculty again as wonderful teachers like Keating and Thackeray. Plus, I look forward to the production and box office success of our film on such themes.

The writer (sochan57@naver.com) is a retired principal of Gunsan Girls' High School.