Portrayals of Teachers
I agree with Shannon and Crawford when they stated that media has type—casted teachers. My students have a hard time believing I have a life outside of teaching. They are so amazed when they see me outside of the classroom, or make a big deal when they see me at the mall with my boyfriend. Not only do I shop at the mall like they do, but also am capable of having romantic relationships. Students also have a perception that because we are teachers, we are this vessel full of knowledge and should have all the answers to their questions. What makes me even more angry is the fact that movies that center around teachers and students, make everyday learning so much fun—that that is what students expect. I’m sorry, but everyday cannot be like that (although I wish it could). And where is the accountability to standards that real—life teachers are held accountable to. Aargh! Makes me feel so frustrated.
In my first viewing of School of Rock, it was merely a simple film full of humor and adorable little kids. I did not take a look at it with a critical eye—merely enjoying the film with my siblings. I was also not teaching yet and only had finished my second year of college. I viewed it again for this class and finished the movie feeling dismayed and taken for granted. This time around I have just finished my third year of teaching.
School of Rock is a glamorized Hollywood video about teachers and the roles they play. In this day and age where identity theft is so rampant, I can see how Black’s character can get into the school system as his roommate—but the message that teaching is so easy that ANYONE can do it is ever rampant. He successfully starts a school at the end of the movie! Had the movie portrayed Black’s character embracing it and found his calling in teaching, then I would not have felt so insulted; but the whole film—the decisions he makes are all centered on him. He saw the potentials of the students and exploited them to make HIS dreams come true. Along the way, his students were inspired and shined with their talents—but their shining talents once again benefited Black’s character’s situation.
The message that teaching is only taken as a back—up plan really irks me as well. Black’s roommate (sorry, I don’t remember his name) gives up his dreams of playing in a band to teach; this just reinforces the saying “Those who can do, and those who can’t teach.� And Black’s character takes on the position because he was in dire need of money. Come on.
I feel that the inclusion of pop music gave the message that the classics are not as important. Pop music is not the only thing that students should be learning—the students in the film had 24—7 pop culture lessons. It also makes an impression that pop music is all students are interested in—which is not necessarily true. At least Black’s character used pop music as a learning tool—to teach his objectives. Honestly, I pull in pop culture into my lessons and apply it to what is considered academia, but I also know that pop—culture is not all that students need to know.