Didn’t We See This Movie Already?

“This is like déjà vu all over again”

Yogi Berra

Blackboard Jungle NR 1955

A new teacher at a violent, dysfunctional inner-city school struggles against the system to teach his students.

To Sir, with Love NR 1967

A new teacher at a dysfunctional inner-city school in London struggles against the system to teach his students.

Conrack PG 1974

A new teacher at a violent, dysfunctional school isolated on an island off the coast of South Carolina struggles against the system to teach his students.

Stand and Deliver PG 1988

Based on true events, a new teacher at a violent, dysfunctional inner-city school struggles against the system to teach his students calculus. Jaime Escalante stands out as a teacher for consistent success for many years at the same school.

Lean on Me PG-13 1989

Based on true events, a new tyrannical principal of a violent, dysfunctional inner-city school struggles against the system to raise test scores. Moral of the story – if you kick out the bad students test scores will go up.

Dangerous Minds R 1995

Based on true events, a new teacher at a violent, dysfunctional inner-city school struggles against the system to teach her students.

Mr. Holland’s Opus PG 1995

A teacher at a suburban school struggles against the system to teach music to his students.

Music of the Heart PG 1999

Based on true events, little known Roberta Guaspari, a violin teacher, struggles against a dysfunctional system to co-found Opus 118, an inner-city school of music.

Coach Carter PG-13 2005

Based on true events, Ken Carter, a local business man, coaches a high school basketball team in a dysfunctional inner-city school and struggles against the system to hold his players accountable for maintaining passing grades.

The Ron Clark Story TV PG 2006

Based on true events, a new teacher at a violent, dysfunctional inner-city school struggles against the system to teach his students.

Take the Lead PG-13 2006

Based on true events, little known Pierre Dulaine, a dance teacher, struggles against the system to teach students at a violent dysfunctional inner-city school to dance.

Freedom Writers PG-13 2007

Based on true events, a new teacher at a violent, dysfunctional inner-city school struggles against the system to teach her students.

Waiting for Superman 2008

A documentary. No one is coming with the power to save our schools. Our education system is dysfunctional, outdated and broken. The only solution is to close schools and reopen them as charter schools.

Race to Nowhere (I saw a screening hosted by the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools)

A documentary. The stressful lives of students are examined. Our education system places pressure on students for perfect grades and test scores, but are they learning anything meaningful and useful?

Please visit me at Facebook – Carlos Mendoza