Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Thursday Thirteen 98: Movie Mentors


There's no doubt that the right teacher can make a huge difference in one's life. I was lucky in that, until college, I never had a bad teacher, and was constantly encouraged to pursue my dreams and interests. Some, as we all know, are not so lucky, and their talent lies dormant or goes to waste. Inspirational mentors and teachers have long been a staple of the film industry. Here are a few movies worth mentioning--and yes, I've seen them all. How many have you seen? Do you have a favorite?


1. Blackboard Jungle (1955; Featuring Sidney Poitier as a troubled youth)

2. To Sir, With Love (1967; Sidney Poitier becomes the mentor)

3. Dead Poets Society (1989) (Carpe Diem!)

4. Cheers for Miss Bishop (1941)

5. Lean on Me (1989)

6. Stand and Deliver (1988)

7. The Miracle Worker (1962)

8. Dangerous Minds (1995)

9. Take the Lead (2006)

10. Akeelah and the Bee (2006; Changing the world...one word at a time.)

11. Finding Forrester (2000)

12. Front of the Class (2008)

13. The Corn is Green (1945)


LINKS TO OTHER THURSDAY THIRTEENS:
(Please leave your link if this is your first visit!)

Alice Audrey * Lanie Fuller * Shelley Munro
Ms Menozzi * Hootin' Anni * Jamie Babette * Carmen
Adelle Laudan * Jennifer McKenzie * Paige Tyler
RJ LeBeau * Janice Seagraves * Mel * Inez Kelley
Jen * Jenn * Eaton Bennett * Nicholas
Jenna Bayley-Burke * Brenda ND

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things.



21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Between my kids and I we've had some real doozies for teachers. We've also had some good ones. Seems to be the luck of the draw.

Anonymous said...

I've only seen one of those movies--Dangerous Minds.

Unfortunately, I'm one those unlucky ones who didn't have the best teachers. Thankfully, though, now I have Divas--which more than makes up for it!

Shelley Munro said...

I was always lucky enough to have great teachers and I loved school. I've only seen one of these movies - To Sir With Love.

Ms Menozzi said...

Wow. I've seen 8 of those, so far! LOL!

I was one of the lucky ones - I had a teacher/mentor who was supportive of my desire to be a writer, and told me what I needed to do. He also told me it was okay to be who I am, and to follow my creative heart wherever it took me.

I think more kids need that in their lives, if only so they'll understand that their skills need to be nurtured if they're ever meant to grow and blossom.

Great list!

Happy TT!
Ciao!

Hootin Anni said...

I've seen them all except for #10. That one, I've not even heard of, but will see if I can find it to watch on DVD.

My thirteen is now posted...come join me? Happy Thursday.

Anonymous said...

To Sir With Love is a classic.
I remember those good teachers I had in my past and now that I'm a teacher, I do my best to encourage and support my students. My class cheers when it's time for a spelling test-:) - I take that as a good sign.
Here's my Thirteen

Carmen said...

Now I'll be sing the "Lean on Me" song. :)

Unknown said...

I went back to school in my early twenties to get my diploma. My English teacher is the one who planted the seed about actually publishing my work. I'll never forget him.
Sidney Poitier is an incredible man on and off the screen. I've seen a couple of thes movies. I'll have to rent Take the Leed. Sounds like my kind of movie. Thanks for the heads up & Happy T13!

Jennifer McKenzie said...

Oh what a great list. My favorite?
"Goodbye Mr. Chips". THAT is an awesome movie about a teacher.

Paige Tyler said...

I've seen number three and liked that movie!

*hugs*
Paige

My TT is at http://paigetylertheauthor.blogspot.com/

Inez Kelley said...

Some I loved but others I have never heard of. Great list!

http://talesfromthecrit.wordpress.com/

Jen said...

Great list! I am more of a reader than a movie watcher but I am going to keep these in mind. Thanks for the list!!

Heather said...

Alice - Yes, it does seem to be luck of the draw some years, doesn't it? I hope your kids get at least one truly excellent teacher at some point in their schooling. It's amazing what a huge difference in attitude and self-confidence it can make.

Lanie - What? You've never seen DPS or FF?? And yes, at least you found Divas!

Shelley - At least you've seen one of the best movies to make my list. I never grow tired of watching that one, and think it proves how far mutual respect can take you.

Anonymous said...

Some great movies. I can not remember having a mentor or an outstanding teacher but my daughter sure had one for third grade.

Heather said...

Ms Menozzi - More kids defiintely need teachers like that in their lives.

Hootin' Anni - Wow, someone who has seen almost all of these! I really liked Akeelah, which was heavily advertised here. That may have been due in part to one of the top Scripps National Spelling Bee contenders being from Madison. She tied for 5th that year, and placed third the next.

Jamie - A class that cheers when it's time for spelling? You must be a GREAT teacher! I blame-er, credit one of my HS teachers for my penchant for writing down and looking up new words I come across in my reading. Instead of everyone having the same spelling list each week, we had "frontier words." Hmm...perhaps I should use that as a blog topic.

Carmen - LOL, it is a good song and if it makes you feel better...now you have me singing it!

Heather said...

Adelle - I'm glad you went back for your diploma, and that you finally had a teacher to encourage your writing. I think what I liked most about Take the Lead was how it showed 1) how much of a difference one person taking an interest in a kids' life can make and 2) that if kids have respect and confidence in themselves and others outside the classroom, it positively impacts their performance inside the classroom.

Jennifer - Funny you mention Goodbye Mr Chips. The day I watched Miss Bishop and The Corn is Green on TCM, they also showed the one you mentioned. I wasn't able to watch it, though, so set the VCR to record and ARGH! The tape must have been bad, because it is awful. Not even watchable. I will have to watch for it to air again!

Paige - Ah, at least you've seen one of my favorites. I honestly don't know anyone who doesn't like DPS.

Inez - Would love to know which you've seen, and which have now piqued your interest!

Jen - I hope you will give a few of these a chance. I would especially recommend the first three, plus 9-11. ;)

Jenn - I'm glad your daughter had the experience of a great teacher. Isn't it amazing the difference it makes?

Mia Celeste said...

Oh, some of these I haven't seen. I'll have to look for them. Thanks.

Eaton Bennett aka Berenice Albrecht said...

I've seen a couple of those movies. You were blessed to have good teachers. I'm one of those people whose 'talent'??? has lain dormant for too many years. A lot through insecurity...but some things just won't stay down no matter how much you're told they don't exist! Happy TT! :)

Anonymous said...

The only one I have seen is To Sir With Love, which I greatly enjoyed.

Janice Seagraves said...

Your lucky, I've had some bad teachers but I've also had a few that above and beyond.

If it wasn't for the few really good ones I don't know if I would have finished high school,on time and with my class.

But I did.

Happy TT.

Janice~

The Bumbles said...

Now I've got "To Sir With Love" humming along in my head.