In the words of "Lean on Me" Principal Joe Clark: "Discipline is not the enemy of enthusiasm." On the contrary, it is the prerequisite for true learning.
As someone who hasn't seen either movie and who can't experientially claim to know the best way to educate teenage boys, I want you to know that I really appreciate this thoughtful article. As a young mom I've really appreciated reading your work and will hold many of your articulations in my heart for years to come. Thank you!
I had a much-beloved history teacher who reminds me a lot of this fictional teacher. It turns out he molested at least one of his students, which as an adult does not shock me. The overly emotional approach and the intense focus on close relationships - often with an emphasis on the teacher telling the student how to approach their parents - is fraught.
This movie was unironically mentioned as a positive pedagogical example (with an explicit caveat about the creation of a personality cult around a teacher) in a teaching seminar I had to take. At least most of the other students were too young to actually be familiar with the film, so I think the professor's point was mostly lost on them.
As someone who hasn't seen either movie and who can't experientially claim to know the best way to educate teenage boys, I want you to know that I really appreciate this thoughtful article. As a young mom I've really appreciated reading your work and will hold many of your articulations in my heart for years to come. Thank you!
I’m so pleased and grateful to know that! Thank you so much!
I had a much-beloved history teacher who reminds me a lot of this fictional teacher. It turns out he molested at least one of his students, which as an adult does not shock me. The overly emotional approach and the intense focus on close relationships - often with an emphasis on the teacher telling the student how to approach their parents - is fraught.
This movie was unironically mentioned as a positive pedagogical example (with an explicit caveat about the creation of a personality cult around a teacher) in a teaching seminar I had to take. At least most of the other students were too young to actually be familiar with the film, so I think the professor's point was mostly lost on them.
I can’t say I’m surprised. It was actually shown to me in high school as an example of learning to live the examined life. 🫠