American Teacher
Do we value our teachers? Do we realize the fact that they are extremely well educated in order to receive, not only a degree, but must follow up that degree with further studies in order to get credentials to teach? Shouldn't these dedicated workers be considered professionals and should they not be treated as such?
The documentary, American Teacher, focuses on four dedicated teachers, who love their work, recognize how important their job is, but find themselves wondering if they can really afford to continue teaching. As the parent of a teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District, I found many of the problems that face teachers today were not addressed in this documentary. Not only are the teachers underpaid, but some are not respected by students in middle and high schools, nor do they get cooperation from many families. The fact that they are underpaid for the many hours that they work in a week is merely a part of the problem. Dedicated teachers deserve to be paid as professionals and deserve to be respected as professionals. The fact that many classes are very large is also a factor that is not brought out in the film.
However, the documentary does give some background as to why there is attrition in the field, why some decide against going into the career of teaching and why some forego their occupation after some years even though they loved what they were doing. And yet, many refuse to give up their jobs because they feel fulfilled in what they do even though it presents a financial hardship.
American Teacher was produced and directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Vanessa Roth and narrated by Academy Award-winner Matt Damon. It is an endeavor of The Teacher Salary Project, a nonprofit organization in a campaign to change how teachers are valued in our society. Can they make a difference? Let's hope that they can succeed.
Playing at Broadway AMC Santa Monica. 80 minutes.