While school is not the most exciting topic for movies and television shows to explore, these teacher characters brought something special to the classroom. I have had all manner of teachers in my life through school, including the overly stern and intimidating ones, the ones who seemed like they wanted to be there less than I did, and the ones who generally made learning more exciting. This has been the experience for most students, and it is also something that is reflected in movies and TV shows, with the truly outstanding teachers being remembered fondly.
There have been countless teacher characters on the big and small screen over the years, with the depiction of a “great teacher” changing over time. Once, the pinnacle of teachers was the stoic and intelligent leaders who inspired students to be productive members of society. It then became the more spontaneous teachers who introduced their close-minded pupils to the larger world. With more time, audiences sought out teachers who connected with the particularly troubled students on a more personal level. The best teacher characters reflect all these versions of great educators and more.
You are watching: These Teacher Characters Actually Would Have Made Me Pay Attention In School — The 33 Best In Movies & TV
33
Dr. Jones – The Indiana Jones Franchise
Played By Harrison Ford
Indiana Jones is a treasure hunter and archaeologist, but there is a sense that he holds teaching as his most important job. Throughout the Indiana Jones franchise, there are only a few moments that show Jones in the classroom, and while that might suggest he is somewhat absent in these duties, he offers his students level-headed advice, like “You want to be a good archaeologist, you’ve got to get out of the library!“
Indiana Jones
Created by
George Lucas
First Film
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Cast
Harrison Ford, Denholm Elliott, John Rhys-Davies, Karen Allen, Kate Capshaw, Ke Huy Quan, Amrish Puri, Sean Connery, Julian Glover, Alison Doody, Shia LaBeouf, Cate Blanchett, Ray Winstone, John Hurt, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Mads Mikkelsen
Character(s)
Indiana Jones, Marcus Brody, Sallah, Marion Ravenwood, Wilhelmina Scott, Wan Li, Mola Ram, Henry Jones, Sr., Walter Donovan, Elsa Schneider, Henry Jones III, Irina Spalko, George Michale, Harold Oxley, Helena Shaw, Jürgen Voller
Video Game(s)
Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Indiana Jones’ Greatest Adventures, LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures, Lego Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues, Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine, Indiana Jones and the Emperor’s Tomb, Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings
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32
Veronica Vaughn – Billy Madison (1995)
Played By Bridgette Wilson-Sampras
A good teacher should be able to deal with numerous unexpected challenges in a classroom, and in the case of Veronica Vaughn in Billy Madison, she has to deal with a childish and spoiled man in his 20s becoming one of her students. As obnoxious as Adam Sandler’s lead character is, Veronica puts him in his place more than once. She also stands up for her students and shows them kindness.
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Billy Madison
PG-13
Comedy
8.5/10
Release Date
February 10, 1995
Runtime
89 minutes
Director
Tamra Davis
Writers
Tim Herlihy, Adam Sandler
Cast
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-
Bradley Whitford
-
Adam Sandler
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31
Will Schuester – Glee (2009-2015)
Played By Matthew Morrison
Glee was filled with catchy pop songs and big performances that perhaps didn’t give the most realistic depiction of high school, but it was certainly fun. The same can be said of the Glee club teacher, Will Schuester (aka Mr. Shue). There are times when he blurred the line between peer and teacher with his students and did not always have the best advice, but he deserves credit for giving a bunch of aimless outcast students somewhere to shine.
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Glee
TV-14
Comedy
Drama
Musical
8/10
12
6.9/10
Release Date
2009 – 2014
Network
FOX
Showrunner
Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk
Writers
Ian Brennan, Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk
Cast
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-
Dianna Agron
-
Chris Colfer
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30
Walter White – Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
Played By Bryan Cranston
Given that Walter White became a mastermind drug kingpin, it is easy to forget that he started out the series as a mild-mannered teacher of high school chemistry. While Walt certainly had a hard time getting his students to be as enthusiastic about chemistry as he was, he proved himself as a great teacher in a more unorthodox way by teaching Jesse Pinkman how to cook meth. While highly illegal, it is still impressive considering how hopeless Jesse was in the beginning.
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Breaking Bad
Crime
Drama
Thriller
10/10
126
9.2/10
Release Date
2008 – 2012
Network
AMC
Showrunner
Vince Gilligan
Directors
Vince Gilligan, Michelle Maclaren
Writers
Peter Gould, Gennifer Hutchison, Vince Gilligan, George Mastras, Moira Walley-Beckett, Sam Catlin, Thomas Schnauz
Cast
See All
-
Bryan Cranston
Walter White
-
Aaron Paul
Jesse Pinkman
Franchise(s)
Breaking Bad
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29
Edna Krabappel – The Simpsons (1989-)
Played By Marcia Wallace
A lot of the humor surrounding Springfield Elementary’s Ms. Krabappel came from the fact that she seemed thoroughly uninterested in her job, and with students like Bart Simpson, you can’t blame her for being a little rundown. However, the classic episode of The Simpsons, “Bart Gets an F”, showcases more sympathy and understanding in Ms. Krabappel, giving some insight into the kind of teacher she is deep down.
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The Simpsons
Animation
Comedy
9/10
100
8.8/10
Release Date
December 17, 1989
Network
FOX
Showrunner
Al Jean
Directors
David Silverman, Jim Reardon, Mark Kirkland
Writers
Matt Groening, James L. Brooks, Sam Simon
Cast
See All
-
Tress MacNeille
-
Julie Kavner
Franchise(s)
The Simpsons
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28
Detective John Kimble – Kindergarten Cop (1990)
Played By Arnold Schwarzenegger
The simple idea of Arnold Schwarzenegger teaching a class of young toddlers was funny enough to launch this comedy. However, while John Kimble finds himself in over his head when he takes on this undercover job, he also looks out for his young students and learns how to reach them on an engaging level — basically following the path of any new teacher.
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Kindergarten Cop
pg-13
Comedy
Action
9/10
Release Date
December 21, 1990
Runtime
111minutes
Director
Ivan Reitman
Writers
Ivan Reitman
Cast
See All
-
Arnold Schwarzenegger
-
Pamela Reed
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27
Mr. Bruner – The Edge Of Seventeen (2016)
Played By Woody Harrelson
The Edge of Seventeen is a teen movie that follows high school outcast Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld) as she navigates through the most awkward moments of this time in her life with her blunt and dry-witted teacher, Mr. Bruner (Woody Harrelson), as her sole mentor. Bruner is the kind of teacher who is willing to treat his students as grown-ups, even if he is overcome by their immaturity at times. While he keeps a professional distance, he is also willing to be there for Nadine when she really needs help.
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The Edge of Seventeen
R
Comedy
Drama
8/10
8.7/10
Release Date
See more : Edens Zero Season 2 Episode 16 Release Date and Time, Countdown, When is it Coming Out?
November 18, 2016
Runtime
104 minutes
Director
Kelly Fremon Craig
Writers
Kelly Fremon Craig
Cast
See All
-
Nesta Cooper
-
Kyra Sedgwick
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26
Dan Dunne – Half Nelson (2006)
Played By Ryan Gosling
Ryan Gosling earned his first Oscar nomination for his powerful performance in the indie Half Nelson as Dan, a dedicated teacher who is battling drug addiction. Though his addiction consumes much of his life, the classroom seems to be the place where Dan is comfortable being sober, and after connecting with one of his at-risk students, he is dedicated to helping her even as his own life falls apart.
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Half Nelson
R
Drama
Release Date
August 11, 2006
Runtime
107 minutes
Director
Ryan Fleck
Producers
Alex Orlovsky, Paul S. Mezey, Rosanne Korenberg, Scott London, Anna Boden, Charlie Corwin, Clara Markowicz, Doug Dey, Jamie Patricof
Cast
See All
-
Ryan Gosling
Dan Dunne
-
Shareeka Epps
Drey
-
Anthony Mackie
Frank
-
Jeff Lima
Roodly
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25
Jessica Day – New Girl (2011-2018)
Played By Zooey Deschanel
While Jessica Day’s bubbly and overly optimistic attitude might have annoyed her male roommates at times, it was that personality and her commitment to it that helped make her such an effective teacher. She was someone who passionately loved teaching and was so excited about what her young students were accomplishing that it was hard not to get caught up in her endearing outlook.
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New Girl
TV-14
Comedy
9/10
9.4/10
Release Date
2011 – 2017
Network
FOX
Showrunner
Elizabeth Meriwether
Writers
Elizabeth Meriwether
Cast
See All
-
Zooey Deschanel
-
Max Greenfield
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24
Charles Xavier – The X-Men Movies
Played By Patrick Stewart
Charles Xavier ran the Xavier Institute, a school which operated as a place of education as well as a safe haven for young mutants with nowhere else to go. However, even while he was often busy throughout the X-Men movies, saving the world, there were times when he was seen in the classroom, engaging the students in thoughtful and complex conversations with the same sensitivity and warmness that made him a mentor for so many.
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X-Men
PG-13
Adventure
Action
Sci-Fi
Superhero
11
9.3/10
Release Date
July 13, 2000
Runtime
104 minutes
Director
Bryan Singer
Writers
Bryan Singer, David Hayter, Tom DeSanto
Producers
Avi Arad, Lauren Shuler Donner, Ralph Winter, Richard Donner
Cast
See All
-
Hugh Jackman
Logan / Wolverine
-
Patrick Stewart
Xavier
Sequel(s)
X2: X-Men United, X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men: First Class, X-Men: Days of Future Past, X-Men Apocalypse
Franchise(s)
Marvel, X-Men
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23
Gabe Kotter – Welcome Back, Kotter (1975-1979)
Played By Gabe Kaplan
The classic sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter focused on the titular character, Gabe Kotter, who returns to his old neighborhood to become a teacher at his old school. What makes Kotter a great teacher, even if he is often dealing with lazy and dim-witted students, is that he remembers what it was like to be in their shoes and uses that to connect with them.
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Welcome Back, Kotter
TV-PG
Comedy
7.5/10
Release Date
1975 – 1978
Network
ABC
Directors
Norman Abbott, James Komack, Al Schwartz, Alan Myerson, Bill Davis, Bill Persky, Jay Sandrich, Mel Stuart, Robert Hegyes
Writers
Liz Sage, Bill Richmond, Vic Rauseo, Linda Morris, Jim Mulholland, Carl Kleinschmitt, Garry Shandling, Jerry Ross, Pat Proft, Raymond Siller
Cast
See All
-
Gabe Kaplan
Gabe Kotter
-
John Travolta
Vinnie Barbarino
Creator(s)
Alan Sacks, Gabe Kaplan
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22
Louanne Johnson – Dangerous Minds (1995)
Played By Michelle Pfeiffer
Some teachers need to be beyond tough when stepping into certain classrooms, but luckily for Louanne Johnson, she has a background as a US Marine to back her up as she attempts to get through to a class of rebellious students. Louanne is not afraid to create a little tension in the classroom and doesn’t back down from the immediately hostile environment, but it is less about being tough and more about breaking through to these kids.
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Dangerous Minds (1995)
R
Drama
Release Date
August 11, 1995
Runtime
99 minutes
Director
John N. Smith
Writers
Ronald Bass
Producers
Don Simpson, Jerry Bruckheimer, Kate Guinzburg, Lucas Foster, Michelle Pfeiffer
Cast
See All
-
George Dzundza
Hal Griffith
-
Michelle Pfeiffer
Louanne Johnson
-
Courtney B. Vance
Mr. George Grandey
-
Robin Bartlett
Mrs. Carla Nichols
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21
Mr. Anderson – The Perks Of Being A Wallflower (2012)
Played By Paul Rudd
The Perks of Being a Wallflower deals with a socially awkward young man (Logan Lerman) who struggles with his new life in high school and having no friends. However, his English teacher, Mr. Anderson, is the first person to show him kindness and gives him plenty of encouragement in the daunting world of high school. While it is a friendship that must stay somewhat removed, Mr. Anderson does share poignant observations with his troubled young pupil, including “we accept the love we think we deserve.”
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The Perks of Being a Wallflower
PG-13
Romance
Drama
8/10
10/10
Release Date
September 20, 2012
Runtime
105minutes
Director
Stephen Chbosky
Writers
Stephen Chbosky
Cast
See All
-
Emma Watson
-
Logan Lerman
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20
Lydia Grant – Fame (1980)
Played By Debbie Allen
Debbie Allen played Lydia Grant in the Fame movie as well as the television spinoff series, while also serving a choreographer in both cases, and her commitment to the role is fitting for what Lydia demands of her students. Fame is set in a high school for the performing arts and is filled with students looking to become stars. However, Lydia is there to push them to their full potential without downplaying how hard it will be for them to make it. She is a much-needed dose of hard work and reality that these dreamers need.
19
Erin Gruwell – Freedom Writers (2007)
Played By Hilary Swank
Erin Gruwell takes an unforgiving job teaching a group of students who are as uninterested in school or further education as they can be, but she does not let that dissuade her. Erin shows relentless dedication in working multiple jobs in order to give more resources to these kids while also showing innovation in encouraging her students to write in their own journals, discovering more about themselves.
Freedom Writers
PG-13
Biography
Crime
Documentary
Drama
Release Date
January 5, 2007
Runtime
123 minutes
Director
Richard LaGravenese
Cast
-
Hilary Swank
-
Patrick Dempsey
-
Scott Glenn
-
Imelda Staunton
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18
Roland “Prez” Pryzbylewski – The Wire (2002-2008)
Played By Jim True-Frost
The Wire was a series that showcased different aspects of Baltimore, and Prez was a character who helped connect to very different worlds. Though he attempted to prove himself with a desk job, Prez was simply not cut out to be a police officer. When he changed his focus on being a public school teacher, he found himself similarly out of his element but stuck with it, found ways to connect with his students, and even attempted to help some of them escape the dire paths they seemed destined to stay on.
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The Wire
Drama
10/10
9.1/10
Release Date
2002 – 2007
Network
HBO Max, BBC
Showrunner
David Simon
Directors
David Simon
Writers
David Simon
Cast
See All
-
Lance Reddick
-
Michael B. Jordan
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17
Mr. Hand – Fast Times At Ridgemont High (1982)
Played By Ray Walston
Fast Times at Ridgemont High is a classic teen movie filled with funny and lovable characters trying to have fun in their high school years while Mr. Hand is the stern history teacher who serves as a wet blanket to all of that fun. While Mr. Hand is tough on the teens, he is also a man who pushes them not to take the easy way yet remains fair. Even after holding Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn) back from the prom in order to go over all of the lessons the slacker missed, the two adversaries are able to find mutual respect.
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Fast Times At Ridgemont High
R
Comedy
Drama
Release Date
August 13, 1982
Runtime
90 minutes
Director
Amy Heckerling
Writers
Cameron Crowe
Cast
See All
-
Phoebe Cates
-
Ray Walston
-
Jennifer Jason Leigh
-
Brian Backer
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16
Ms. Norbury – Mean Girls (2004)
Played By Tina Fey
Ms. Norbury is maybe the most realistic depiction of a public school teacher in movies, as she is a newly divorced woman who has to put aside the issues of her own life to teach a bunch of high school students who spread rumors about her behind her back. However, when the school is torn apart by insults and backstabbings, it is Ms. Norbury who unites them all and reminds everyone of the value of respect and kindness.
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Mean Girls
PG-13
Comedy
9/10
7.1/10
Release Date
April 30, 2004
Runtime
97 minutes
Director
Mark Waters
Writers
Tina Fey
Sequel(s)
mean girls 2
Cast
See All
-
Amy Poehler
-
Lacey Chabert
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15
Katherine Ann Watson – Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
Played By Julia Roberts
While there are many movies that examine the free-spirited student who has to contend with a stuffy teacher, Mona Lisa Smile subverts that trope with Julia Roberts starring as the open-minded teacher of young women in the 1950s. Katherine Ann Waston has a lot of Roberts’ typical charm, but she is also someone who is willing to call out injustice and unfairness in the world around her, encouraging her young female students to do likewise and achieve more than what is being offered to them.
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Mona Lisa Smile
PG-13
Drama
Release Date
December 19, 2003
Runtime
117 Minutes
Director
Mike Newell
Writers
Lawrence Konner, Mark Rosenthal
Cast
See All
-
Julia Roberts
Katherine Ann Watson
-
Kirsten Dunst
Betty Warren
-
Julia Stiles
Joan Brandwyn
-
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Giselle Levy
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14
Miss Honey – Matilda (1996)
Played By Embeth Davidtz
While young Matilda lived a lonely life with uncaring parents and a cruel headmistress, Miss Honey was the one ray of sunlight. She was kind to all of her students but was especially caring towards Matilda as she saw the amazing potential in the little girl and was not going to let the unfair world stop her.
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Matilda
r
Family
Comedy
7/10
8/10
Release Date
June 28, 1996
Runtime
98minutes
Director
Danny DeVito
Writers
Robin Swicord
Cast
See All
-
Danny DeVito
-
Mara Wilson
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Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Entertainment