This movie shows the very real aspect of some schools. Most of the teachers in this movie are underqualified for the subjects they're teaching, and they don't expect much out of the students.
When you first meet Mr. Escalante, he's getting told that instead of teaching computer sciences, he'll be teaching math instead, due to budget cuts and no computers. A lot of school districts are having to make compromises like this, but who is it hurting? The students, of course.
The students in the class are typical underachievers. Why? Because in their school, no one ever expected anything from them. When they get this new teacher, he implements a system that lets the students know that he DOES expect something from them, but more importantly, that they're capable of achieving it.
Throughout the movie, Mr. Escalante starts getting involved with his students lives. He knows their parents, knows what they do... it helps him relate to them, and make certain that they trust him. However, his investment in his students means that he's compromising his own family and his own home life.
So far, the first half of the movie is good.
As stereotypical as the students in this movie may be, you're right; that is the reality in many schools. I agree, so far the movie is pretty good, but it will be interesting to see how the students react to Escalante if he continues on with his dictatorial style of teaching.
ReplyDeleteGood conversation here, good analysis going on!
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