A brief reaction to "Teach"

The documentary, Teach, by Davis Guggenheim chronicles the lives of several teachers in a “slice of life” style direction, sampling some of the struggles they face as teachers as they briefly discuss their motivations for becoming educators, the struggles in their classroom and their hopes for the future of American education in the coming years. While not necessarily a startling film, it does present several realities about education in the United States, and subsequently dispels a few misnomers about teachers and teaching. In this regard, Teach is quite eye opening and is a highly recommend film for teachers, especially future ones, to view.

The accounts that Teach documents are similar, yet also very different. Each of the teachers experience struggles in the films whether it be because of struggling students, budget cuts, or even the extreme (but very real) case of child abuse and neglect. While these issues may have been dramatized for effect, these are all situations that educators will face. One could call it “the nature of the business.” Regardless, the difficulties presented in the film are very real and is something many people, to an extent future teachers included, do not realize that teachers face. Students can be difficult to motivate, control and connect with causing them to struggle in class. Curriculums can be limiting and inhibit individual teacher creativity. Budget cuts limit resources, teachers, and classes. And teachers are responsible to report child abuse, no matter how difficult it may be. Teach does admirably in bringing these harsh truths to light, revealing that the life of a teacher is much harder than people presume.

Fortunately, Teach does end on a high note. While the film feels grim at times and definitely makes one feel a wild torrent of emotions ranging from frustration to sympathy, Teach can also amaze and motivate. Amidst the images of adversity, they are images of hope. The documented teachers in the film are shown going out of their respective ways to tend to their students, providing the attention they feel they deserve. Regardless of the individual situation, the teachers make sacrifices for them. One stays after school to assist the student in his work. Another spends a fair amount of money on developing photos for her class. Another motivates students to speak out to the Board of Education due to impeding cuts threatening their ESL program. Another contacts the authorities because he suspects child abuse and is concerned for the boy’s well being. All these teachers go the extra mile for their students. In some cases, it is their responsibility as educators, but for the most part, there is no part of their job description to sacrifice so much for them. This film presents teaching as the noblest of professions as each of these teachers sincerely want their students to succeed, to become good people and hope that their education continues to push them forward on this path.  

One could say that Teach presents the image of the ideal teacher: selfless, mature, considerate, responsible and motivated by an intrinsic desire to do "good." They teach because they want to and the job truly feels rewarding at the end of the day, despite the difficulties they encounter. It sheds light on the plight of the teachers, but presents a blueprint on the type of teachers that the United States needs. Education has its fair share of issues, but with teachers like the those documented in Teach, there is light at the end of the tunnel.