To Sir, With Love
Movie Review by:Jason Jefferson, American University

This was the first time I have seen the wonderful Sidney Poitier movie To Sir, With Love. It is a remarkably acted movie; although dated in its fashion and music sense. Many of the issues raised in the film echo many of the current problems that teachers and students still face in the classroom. For the students it is the sense that teachers (all adults could probably be lumped in this category) don't understand where they are coming from and the disillusionment that students feel with the educational system because they don't necessarily think they are be taught anything that will be useful in the real world. Students in this movie also come from "broken" homes or impoverished backgrounds where their problems at home are reflected in the classroom. For the teacher, it is the sense that you can't do anymore, that the students simply will not or can not learn the material. Luckily, in this film the teacher played by Sidney Poitier does figure out a way to connect with the students that is beneficial for both.

There where plenty examples of good teaching techniques used throughout the film, as well as some that wouldn't be considered good anymore. One of the things that "Sir" does is to teach material that is interesting to the students. In the beginning he tried to teach such things as weights and measures but after some time of student misbehavior and disengagement, he decided to throw out the traditional curriculum and discuss whatever the students wanted to learn about, whether it be marriage, sex, or rebellion. Another example of good teaching was taking the students on the field trip to the museum to show how there rebellious ways reverberate past fads. He shows that he cares for the students and at the end of the film the students have also made an emotional connection to the first teacher they ever had that truly was there for them.

The complete disregard for respect that all the students showed at the beginning of the film makes it a tough decision on whether or not I would ever like to teach at that school. However, I think that I would. Albeit that I might be rather frustrated by the situation at times, but I imagine most people would be. I would like to teach there mainly in an attempt to reach out to those that have never really connected with school and make a positive difference in their lives, even though I probably would not throw my textbooks in the garbage like "Sir" did.