Inspiring Movies About Teachers

Erin Gruwell starts teaching literature at an inner-city L.A. school to a class of “at-risk” high school students. At first, she can’t get through to them, but when she does, the bond they cultivate proves life-changing for all involved.

Directed by Thomas Carter, Coach Carter is a quality sports drama based on real-life events. The music is great, and the message is impactful. Samuel L. Jackson takes the titular role seriously, and so will you.

Gabourey Sidibe stars as Claireece “Precious” Jones. After being transferred to an alternative school, Precious strikes up a relationship with a smart, sympathetic, and self-sacrificing teacher named Ms. Rain (Paula Patton).

Of all the redemptive movies about hard-knock students and tough-love educators, Lean On Me is first in its class. Morgan Freeman stars as Joe Clark, a retired teacher who agrees to sign on as the principal at New Jersey’s worst school.

A devoted music teacher (Richard Dreyfuss) who learns as much from his students as they do from him over his 30+years on the job and masterfully shows how a really good teacher doesn’t give up doesn’t just impact a class, but sometimes an entire community.

Robin Williams plays the therapist to reluctant, troubled boy-genius Will Hunting. After some legal trouble, his smarts help him get an unusual deal where he’s forced into therapy and math lessons.

This might not be your typical teacher movie, but as we all know, teaching is not just something that happens in the classroom. Teachers come in many forms. And Mr. Han is undoubtedly a teacher