I’m a middle school teacher so I support any film that portrays teachers in a positive light. That is exactly how teachers should be portrayed in light of all of the dedication and support that they provide to their students on a daily basis.
Won’t Back Down is exactly one of those films. It is about a teacher who cares so much that she dedicates her life to making a difference for all students. In the film, Oscar® Nominees Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis lead a stellar cast in this empowering drama inspired by actual events. Hard-working single mom Jamie Fitzpatrick (Gyllenhaal) is concerned that John Adams Elementary is letting her daughter down.
Teaming with a caring teacher (Davis) who wants the best future for her own son, she sets out to improve attitudes and elevate the school’s academic standards. Despite the odds, with courage, hope and persistence, the women just might prevail in this uplifting film that also stars Rosie Perez and Academy Award® Winner Holly Hunter.
To celebrate the release of Won’t Back Down on Blu-ray and DVD on January 15th, we are counting down the top 10 influential teachers in film:
1. Roberta Guaspari in Music of the Heart
2. Ms. Geist in Clueless
3. Jaime Escalante in Stand and Deliver
4. Dewey Finn in School of Rock
5. Mr. Holland in Mr. Holland’s Opus
6. Ms. Norbury in Mean Girls
7. Anne Sullivan in The Miracle Worker
8. John Keating in Dead Poets Society
9. Clément Mathieu in The Chorus
10. Professor Dumbledore in the Harry Potter Series
Giveaway:
Our sponsor is giving away a copy of Won’t Back Down on Blu-ray and DVD to one reader of Tough Cookie Mommy!a Rafflecopter giveaway
Product Review/Giveaway disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above to test/review/giveaway in exchange for my opinion and for the purpose of writing this post. I only recommend products or services I use personally and I believe will be “family friendly.” I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
© 2013, Tough Cookie Mommy. All rights reserved.
I had two teachers that had a major impact on my experience of education, both in middle and high school and beyond. They both encouraged me to always reach further, to expect more of myself and to never settle for lazy thinking. They were both true teachers, and today I can also call them friends. 🙂
Thanks!
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
my 9th grade math teacher made me love math. thanks
Looks like a great movie! Heard a lot about it! I had a great teacher that help me a lot when i was in grade school. She was like my second mom. She very sweet
my drama teacher Mr. Martin.. I had him for 4-5 straight hours and we actually became friends!
My advanced Java programming teacher because he actually had a one on one talk with me trying to get me to take the class more seriously. He is the only teacher I 100% respected.
My most influential teacher was probably my g&t teacher, Mrs. Hutton. I had her from 1-5th grade (I would have had her in 6th, but we moved), and over the years she encouraged me to grow and excel in every aspect of life (plus she got me even more into reading than I already was — I might not have read some of my favorite books had it not been for her).
My most influential teacher was my 12th grade Self Discovery teacher Mr. Heeres. He was really awesome and caring and definitely taught me a lot about myself. He was also always there to lend an ear when I needed to talk. Thanks so much for the giveaway!
furygirl3132[at]comcast[dot]net
I had a sociology teacher that was so much fun – he opened my eyes to other cultures and religions – hiliarious teacher
one was my 5th grade teacher Mrs Jones, who inspired me to write more and read more….today she is my daughter’s 5th grade teacher as well! And I entered the Purex baby detergent giveaway
I’d say my 9th grade Humanities teacher just because she really helped me out ,whether it was a personal problem or homework related, she was just always there for me and I felt like she was the only teacher that ever cared if I actually made something of myself.
My third grade teacher Mrs. Sandlin. She taught me to believe in myself.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
Which one of your school teachers had the most impact on you and why?
none good teacher are rare
Hmm… I had a great 7th grade math teacher, she was very patient!
Hmmmm, I would say my 5th grade teacher Mr. Hayden, he knew he had to be tough with me and he succeeded!
My American History teacher in my junior year. She taught me that you always have to give a little extra to excel.
My African American History teacher in my junior year. She was so inspirational in my college choice and major. She taught me that if I studied hard, I could achieve at anything.
I can’t really pick just one teacher because I was lucky to have so many great ones along the way.
My Social Studies and Law teacher taught us alot. He taught us a lot about the real world.
My kindergarten teacher. I think it is because she made learning so much fun. Plus it was my first time in a school setting.
I had two teachers that really made an impact my freshman math teacher and my science teacher in my junior year.
I had an english teacher in junior high, Mrs. Verling, I really loved her because she believed in all of us and made us feel good about ourselves. She was a great teacher.