Parents' Guide to

American Teacher

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Convincing docu highlights underappreciated teachers.

Movie NR 2011 88 minutes
American Teacher Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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What's the Story?

Few people go into teaching expecting to get rich, yet the profession continues to attract bright, enthusiastic young people who are happy to make a difference in children's lives. Sadly, according to AMERICAN TEACHER, many of them don't realize that the dysfunctional system will require them to work close to 60 hours a week for wages that are barely above the poverty level. The documentary, narrated by Matt Damon, features in-depth profiles of several stand-out teachers -- all of whom are feeling burnt out by the demands of this difficult job -- as well as stark statistics that back up the claim that we may be losing committed educators like them forever.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

American Teacher is informative, convincing, and disheartening. Certainly, most viewers understand that a good teacher makes a big difference in the classroom; this film breaks down the numbers. A great teacher can actually increase a student's lifetime earnings. Multiply that by every kid in the class and every class over the teacher's career, and that's a pretty big boost to society. Sadly, most of the numbers in this documentary go the other direction. It explodes the myth that teachers have a short, cushy workday and shows in one profile after another that salaries are far too low.

The heart of the film is its interviews with actual teachers. They all share a desire to inspire kids, and all are spit out by an educational system that takes everything they have and gives little back. Nevertheless, the film is short on solutions. Yes, teachers ought to be paid more and appreciated more fully, but how can we effect that change? The film steers clear of discussions about the efficacy of unions and the relentless pursuit of test prep that critics say steers teacher performance away from the business of actual teaching, leaving audiences hanging. Is there a way out?

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about teachers. Would you like to be a teacher? What do you think about the job after watching this film? Did you know that teachers have so many responsibilities outside the classroom?

  • What are some solutions to the problems addressed in this movie? Why do you think the movie doesn't offer a clear answer? Is any part of this discussion left out of the movie?

  • Do you think teachers are adequately paid? How does teachers' compensation affect their performance and, ultimately, society?

Movie Details

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