Teachers are frequently depicted in film and television, yet these portrayals often fall short of accurately representing the teaching profession. James Winter, a 6th-grade literature teacher, emphasizes that the passionate, personalized work educators do with each student cannot be captured on screen.
Hugh Gundlach, an education researcher from the University of Melbourne, has created the Teachers on Screen Project, which catalogs over 300 fictional teachers from more than 200 film and television series across the U.S., U.K., and Australia. The project reveals a wide range of depictions, from bumbling educators to inspirational figures. However, the negative portrayals tend to dominate.
Common Tropes and Trends
Gundlach’s research indicates that many fictional teachers are depicted as lonely, financially struggling, or incompetent. While some portrayals might showcase inspirational teachers, they often involve creative license that does not reflect real-life teaching challenges. For instance, characters like Walter White from Breaking Bad might demonstrate competence but reveal dark sides.
Larry Cuban, an education professor emeritus at Stanford University, notes a disconnect between public opinion and media portrayals. While many Americans trust teachers and schools, media representations often oscillate between extremes: portraying teachers as either heroes or failures. This is particularly evident in films about low-income or minority students, where teachers are often depicted as either ineffective or as “hero” figures, typically white, who defy the odds.
The Impact of Stereotypes
The portrayal of teachers can have real-world consequences. A study published in the journal Teaching and Teacher Education analyzed the journals of young American volunteers teaching in Namibia. It found that those less prepared often emulated Hollywood’s “white savior” narratives, leading to unrealistic expectations about teaching and student engagement. When challenges arose, these teachers internalized failures in the context of cinematic drama, rather than educational theory.
Cinematic stereotypes can also influence teacher retention. Research indicates that social approval and status significantly impact teachers’ decisions to stay in the profession, even more so than class sizes or student behavior. The unrealistic expectations set by popular media can contribute to an overwhelming sense of inadequacy among educators.
Furthermore, while shows like Abbott Elementary feature diverse casts, the overall representation of teachers in film and television does not reflect the reality of the profession. For instance, Gundlach’s data shows that on-screen depictions of female gym and STEM teachers are notably lower than actual statistics.
A Call for Authentic Representation
Gundlach suggests that incorporating education consultants in film and television, similar to medical dramas, could improve the accuracy of classroom portrayals. For example, HBO’s The Wire integrated real teacher experiences into its narrative, providing a more authentic representation of school settings.
Teachers like Jill Breitbart Zahn believe that no current media portrayal accurately captures the reality of teaching. She envisions a documentary-style show following a teacher throughout an entire school year, providing viewers with a genuine understanding of the profession.
In summary, while teachers play significant roles in our culture’s narratives, the current portrayals often miss the mark, leading to misconceptions and unrealistic expectations about the profession.
