3 Lessons from 1980s Teacher Movies

<p><strong><br>3 lessons from 3 1980s Teacher Films<br></strong><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong><em>Lean on Me</em></strong><strong> (1989)<br></strong><br></p><p> </p><p>The late 80s/early 90s was truly a time for inspirational educator films. There were plenty in competition but Lean on Me stands shoulder to shoulder with the best and is in the running for dux. This is one about a tough-love educator. <br> <br> I remember talking to a principal of a low-socio-economic demographic High School near me which has come along in leaps and bounds academically, behaviourally and in other markers since he took over about a decade ago. He told me that after his first day on the job he was near broken. Fights, kids telling him to F off now coz he wasn’t going to last long anyway etc. Exhaustedly he spoke to his wife. She said to him “You’ve got 3 options. 1 quit. 2. Just go in, keep your nose down and ride it out until you’re transferred or get a better offer. Or 3. Go back in there carrying a big stick.”<br> <br> He said, “metaphorically I took the big stick approach. I showed tough love but made sure it came with respect and lenience for the things that didn’t matter. A kid’s wearing a non-regulation hat? Who cares? A kid disrespects a teacher or fellow student. Get in my office I’m about to lay down the law.” <br> <br> <br> Morgan Freeman is Joe Clark — a “take no crap” ex-teacher who is brought in by a school superintendent to take on the role of principal in the worst school in New Jersey. Joe immediately sets himself up as an unlikable guy. Like the local principal I mentioned he started with the big picture issues. Drugs, gangs – get the hell out of here – I run the school now. He also did all of this with passion and the passion came because he had a vision. It wasn’t pride or delusions of grandeur or power tripping. He wanted to make the school a better place for the students and for the wider community.<br> </p><p>LESSON: <strong>Strong leadership requires a strong vision</strong><br> <br> The leader, in