Superman is Homeless
American Teacher
Review by Ross Anthony

Perhaps in answer to "Waiting for Superman"... "American Teacher" comes along to show us that the supermen and women are already here. The problem is we’re not paying them, we’re not equipping them. It’s as if we’re lining the school halls with kryptonite. And one by one, are Super Teachers are fleeing classrooms, not because they don’t love teaching, but because they can’t survive on our planet in that job.

As an educator myself, I love that this film makes a point that so often gets lost in the muck. Here it is: If you want to teach kids well, hire good teachers. IMHO, it's really that simple. Just pay them very well, give them the tools they ask for, and get out of their way.

The film absolutely ignores the problem of weaker teachers (which “Superman” tackles head on). So, I highly recommend watching both of these docs back to back. You'll learn a lot about what is actually going on in our schools. A.T. focuses on just a few apparently excellent teachers with some depth and breadth over time, telling their stories both as passionate educators and as real people just trying to survive in a world growing more and more expensive.

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  • American Teacher. Copyright © 2011.
  • Narrated by Matt Damon. Directed by Vanessa Roth. Produced by Ninive Calegari and Dave Eggers.

Grade..........................A- (3/4)


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Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186. Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow.


Last Modified: Wednesday, 14-Sep-2011 15:29:14 PDT