While school is not the most exciting topic for movies and television shows to explore, theseteacher charactersbrought something special to the classroom. I have had all manner of teachers in my life through school, including the overly stern and intimidating ones, the ones who seemed like they wanted to be there less than I did, and the ones who generally made learning more exciting. This has been the experience for most students, and it is also something that is reflected in movies and TV shows, with the truly outstanding teachers being remembered fondly.
There have been countless teacher characters on the big and small screen over the years, with the depiction of a “great teacher” changing over time. Once, the pinnacle of teachers was the stoic and intelligent leaders who inspired students to be productive members of society. It then became the more spontaneous teachers who introduced their close-minded pupils to the larger world. With more time,audiences sought out teachers who connected with the particularly troubled students on a more personal level. The best teacher characters reflect all these versions of great educators and more.
33Dr. Jones - The Indiana Jones Franchise
Played By Harrison Ford
Indiana Jones is a treasure hunter and archaeologist, but there is a sense that he holds teaching as his most important job. ThroughouttheIndiana Jonesfranchise, there are only a few moments that show Jones in the classroom, and while that might suggest he is somewhat absent in these duties,he offers his students level-headed advice, like “You want to be a good archaeologist, you’ve got to get out of the library!”
32Veronica Vaughn - Billy Madison (1995)
Played By Bridgette Wilson-Sampras
A good teacher should be able to deal with numerous unexpected challenges in a classroom, and in the case of Veronica Vaughn inBilly Madison, she has to deal with a childish and spoiled man in his 20s becoming one of her students. As obnoxious as Adam Sandler’s lead character is, Veronica puts him in his place more than once.She also stands up for her students and shows them kindness.
31Will Schuester - Glee (2009-2015)
Played By Matthew Morrison
Gleewas filled with catchy pop songs and big performances that perhaps didn’t give the most realistic depiction of high school, but it was certainly fun. The same can be said of the Glee club teacher, Will Schuester (aka Mr. Shue). There are times when he blurred the line between peer and teacher with his students and did not always have the best advice, buthe deserves credit for giving a bunch of aimless outcast students somewhere to shine.
Played By Bryan Cranston
Given that Walter White became a mastermind drug kingpin, it is easy to forget that he started out the series as a mild-mannered teacher of high school chemistry. WhileWalt certainly had a hard time getting his students to be as enthusiastic about chemistry as he was, he proved himself as a great teacher in a more unorthodox way by teaching Jesse Pinkman how to cook meth. While highly illegal, it is still impressive considering how hopeless Jesse was in the beginning.
29Edna Krabappel - The Simpsons (1989-)
Played By Marcia Wallace
A lot of the humor surrounding Springfield Elementary’s Ms. Krabappel came from the fact that she seemed thoroughly uninterested in her job, andwith students like Bart Simpson, you can’t blame her for being a little rundown. However, theclassic episode ofThe Simpsons, “Bart Gets an F”, showcases more sympathy and understanding in Ms. Krabappel, giving some insight into the kind of teacher she is deep down.
28Detective John Kimble - Kindergarten Cop (1990)
Played By Arnold Schwarzenegger
The simple idea of Arnold Schwarzenegger teaching a class of young toddlers was funny enough to launch this comedy. However, while John Kimble finds himself in over his head when he takes on this undercover job,he also looks out for his young students and learns how to reach them on an engaging level— basically following the path of any new teacher.
27Mr. Bruner - The Edge Of Seventeen (2016)
Played By Woody Harrelson
The Edge of Seventeenis a teen movie that follows high school outcast Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld) as she navigates through the most awkward moments of this time in her life with her blunt and dry-witted teacher, Mr. Bruner (Woody Harrelson), as her sole mentor.Bruner is the kind of teacher who is willing to treat his students as grown-ups, even if he is overcome by their immaturity at times. While he keeps a professional distance, he is also willing to be there for Nadine when she really needs help.
26Dan Dunne - Half Nelson (2006)
Played By Ryan Gosling
Ryan Gosling earned his first Oscar nominationfor his powerful performance in the indieHalf Nelsonas Dan, a dedicated teacher who is battling drug addiction. Though his addiction consumes much of his life,the classroom seems to be the place where Dan is comfortable being sober, and after connecting with one of his at-risk students, he is dedicated to helping her even as his own life falls apart.
25Jessica Day - New Girl (2011-2018)
Played By Zooey Deschanel
While Jessica Day’s bubbly and overly optimistic attitude might have annoyed her male roommates at times, it was that personality and her commitment to it that helped make her such an effective teacher.She was someone who passionately loved teaching and was so excited about what her young students were accomplishingthat it was hard not to get caught up in her endearing outlook.
24Charles Xavier - The X-Men Movies
Played By Patrick Stewart
Charles Xavier ran the Xavier Institute, a school which operated as a place of education as well as a safe haven for young mutants with nowhere else to go. However, even while he was often busy throughouttheX-Menmovies, saving the world, there were times whenhe was seen in the classroom, engaging the students in thoughtful and complex conversationswith the same sensitivity and warmness that made him a mentor for so many.
