It’s that time of the year where we give teachers their flowers. With the tasking nature of the teaching profession, it is even more inspiring to see teachers who go the extra mile and defy all odds to help their students.

Today, we are remembering those who have imparted knowledge to us and drawing inspiration from these movies to see the ways we can be of service to others.

1. Queen of Katwe

Queen of Katwe is based on a true story about Phiona Mutesi a girl from a poor family in Kampala, Uganda who went on to become one of the most prolific chess players, winning several awards at global chess competitions. Her chess teacher was instrumental to her success. Robert Katende trained street children chess and other sports free of charge, changing the trajectory of their lives.

2. Miss Teacher

Nwanne fondly called Miss Teacher by her students brought light into their lives when she being pregnant moved into the undeveloped community and got a fresh start as a teacher in the community school.

3. Sister’s Act 2

Deloris Van Carter was a night club singer who had to stay in a convent for a period of time for her safety. In the second movie, her nun friends who became teachers in a Catholic school call upon her to help prevent the struggling school from closing down.

Mary Clarence, (Deloris Van Carter’s convent name) who went on to teach music, battles with the children’s unruly behaviour, people with closed minds and lack of resources to form a student choir, connect with the students, guide them through their personal challenges and keep the school open.

4. Like Stars on Earth

Like stars on earth is an emotional story about Ishaan Awasthi, a young boy who struggles academically and in general as he can’t do normal tasks boys his age carry out effortlessly because of undiagnosed dyslexia.

Ishaan was written off as a stubborn boy who would not amount to anything and he gave up hope at such a young age when he was sent to boarding school. He even gave up on his passion for art— the only thing he was good at.

It was the new, fun and upbeat substitute art teacher who brought colour into his bleak life once again. Ram Shankar Nikumbh helped Ishaan discover his dyslexic condition as someone who experienced it himself. He helped Ishaan overcome his academic struggles and gain recognition for his artistic talents.

5. Dead Poet’s Society

Dead Poets Society is a sombre story that explores conformity, expression and societal expectations on teenage students from parents, teachers and their fellow peers.

The new English teacher, Professor Keating uses unconventional methods to teach his students poetry, taking the art form beyond the forewalls of the classroom and making them see poetry as an appreciation of life and not as a chore that students need to learn to pass exams. They apply the lessons he taught them to ‘carpe diem’ seize the day and become bolder versions of themselves.

6. Freedom Writers

Freedom writers is based on a true story about Erin Gruwell. She taught in a neighborhood where racial tension and violence was the order of the day but her passion and love for her students pushed her to overcome the challenges she faced and connect with her students, instilling in them a passion for learning and reading.

Erin helped her students put their teenage energy to good use, she encouraged them to keep a journal which proved to be therapeutic to inner city kids dealing with a lot of trauma. The students who were once seen as good for nothing went on to do great things with many taking their education beyond high school.

7. Lean on Me

Lean on me reminds us that sometimes, it takes one man to change the trajectory of a place.

Joe Clark, a radical man who was fired from the East Side High School, was brought back to become the principal. The institution he met at Patterson, New Jersey was going to ruins and was not a safe haven for learning but with him the school became a neat and safe environment for learning and the academic performance of the students greatly improved.

Joe Clark overcame many hurdles including his own domineering behavior and jail time but he never backed down and he gave his all for his people.