One of the interesting things is to watch movies over and realize how much you'd forgotten about it. I enjoyed this movie both times I have watched it, and after teaching for a number of years now, some things really struck me that worked:
1. Engagement. Things start to change (after a number of unfortunate situations) when Glenn Ford's character starts to really involve them in the lectures and works hard to keep them off the subject. Now, while that's not the be all and end all of good teaching, it is the beginning.
2. Respect. It seemed that, and as it should be, the teacher had to take a while to earn the respect of the kids. It had to go out of the way and overdramatize it, but with older students, respect comes with time and ability and composure. That was well done.
3. The "primary" bad guy doesn't become good in the end. Thank you Hollywood! The system, no matter what's being put into it, doesn't always work out in the end for some people, and I'm glad that it wasn't all touchy-feely.
1. Engagement. Things start to change (after a number of unfortunate situations) when Glenn Ford's character starts to really involve them in the lectures and works hard to keep them off the subject. Now, while that's not the be all and end all of good teaching, it is the beginning.
2. Respect. It seemed that, and as it should be, the teacher had to take a while to earn the respect of the kids. It had to go out of the way and overdramatize it, but with older students, respect comes with time and ability and composure. That was well done.
3. The "primary" bad guy doesn't become good in the end. Thank you Hollywood! The system, no matter what's being put into it, doesn't always work out in the end for some people, and I'm glad that it wasn't all touchy-feely.