I want to thank Participant Media for sponsoring today’s post and acknowledging the importance of teachers.
This is a question that award winning documentary producer Davis Guggenheim strives to answer. In this documentary on education in America Davis looks at the fact that 65% of our teachers will be at retirement age in the next 10 years. How do we recruit and keep innovative, excited, creative teachers to fulfill this lifelong mission. Because teaching is a mission not just a job. Teach is Davis’ 3rd documentary on education and airs on September 6 at 8 pm ET on CBS and September 14 on Pivot.
TEACH asks the question: What Does It Take to Be A Great Teacher Today?
Following four dedicated teachers from different schools across the country over the course of one school year, TEACH gives viewers a window into the challenges, demands and rewards of teaching, with the purpose of elevating and promoting the profession, as well as engaging new teachers and supporting current teachers. We see that for the best teachers, it’s not just a job but a mission.
As intense as it is emotional, this year in the life of four public-school teachers illustrates how tenacity, passion and a belief in innovation drive these educators as they navigate the daily ups and downs of the 2012-2013 school year. These educators use conventional and unconventional methods and do whatever it takes to overcome obstacles and strive for success.
Check out the trailer for Teach.
What does it take to be a great teacher in America today? I know as a former classroom teacher it takes a lot of dedication and long hours. It takes a constant love of learning and wanting to see that light bulb go off in those little minds. It takes patience and love and we need more great teachers out there. If you are going to college or stuck in a dead end job wondering what life has for you, think about being a teacher. What a way to bring value to your life and the lives of the ones you teach. It’s an amazing opportunity to touch the lives of others. I loved teaching and enjoyed my many years in the classroom and running my own home day care. However, once I had children I just wanted to be at home with them. That’s another reason why we lose valuable teachers every year.
When I think of great teachers I think of my 8th grade science teacher. Mr. Knox he was a well known teacher in my school. I loved his smile and his wit. He made us laugh but he made us love science. We did experiments and he let us be goofy too. There was a balance to his teaching and his getting to know and listen to his students. He moved after I had him and I was so sorry he wasn’t going to be there the next year. He was and is my favorite teacher of all time. He loved us kids and he loved science. He combined his love of both and allowed us to learn in a experiment driven way. He was amazing.
Check out Teach and find out how you can change lives and become a teacher of these little minds. This is a documentary worth seeing. Leave me a comment and tell me who your favorite teacher is/was and what they did that made them amazing. I’d love to honor your favorite teachers with a mention!
Thanks to Participants Media for sponsoring this discussion. My love of teachers, well that’s 100% honest and my own.
I cant think of any favorite teacher. I cant thank the teachers enough for all they put into our children. They are amazing and one of the most important jobs in America.
bring a Teacher I want to thank you for this post
My favorite teacher was my kindergarten teacher because she took us on Saturday trips 🙂
Sounds like you have great memories of Mr. Knox!
I had a teacher that taught me over 20 years ago and I still remember him to this day and think about him. He was a great math teacher and instilled in me my love of math. There are great teachers out there and then there are teachers who are only there for a paycheck.
I think a great teacher nowadays needs to learn how to work around all the ridiculousness of Common Core. I feel badly for the teachers who are stuck with these new standards. It’s making their job unnecessarily harder than it already is!
Being a teacher is hard work and I don’t think they are appreciated enough!
Mr. Knox reminds me of my English teacher in 9th grade. She was my mentor. I always feel that teaching is a vocation, not just a job and I salute those in this profession who are dedicated to their work. I had my share of hateful teachers who were only there for their paychecks.
I agree being a teacher is a hard job!
We homeschool but it’s not because of teachers! We are so thankful for the teachers that have positively impacted our children.