Recently, Jaime Escalante passed away at age 79.
While his name may not immediately ring a bell, you might remember the 1988 film Stand and Deliver which earned Edward James Olmos an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of Escalante, a math teacher in East Los Angeles.
Escalante believed anyone could learn math and went on to change the mathematics curriculum at Garfield High School.
He also trained failing students to master advanced math and science, giving Garfield High the fifth-highest number of advanced placement calculus students in the country.
Definitely a man and a story worth remembering.
Definitely a man and a story worth remembering.
I had my own Escalante in school. A bit of a math geek myself, I loved Mr. G.’s class and I carried his passion for the subject with me for many years.
Teachers challenge us, frustrate us and enlighten us.
Such influential players in our lives, teachers often play a huge role on the small screen too.
Outside quadratic equations, I was also the artsy type. So I eagerly watched Fame each week, dreaming of attending a school of the arts with Ms. Shermann, Mr. Crandall, Ms. Grant and Mr. Shorofsky.
Outside quadratic equations, I was also the artsy type. So I eagerly watched Fame each week, dreaming of attending a school of the arts with Ms. Shermann, Mr. Crandall, Ms. Grant and Mr. Shorofsky.
But TV teachers have been more than educators.
Fans of Boy Meets World certainly loved Mr. Feeney, a grade school giant who’s crusty comments always influenced the choices of Cory, Shawn and Topanga.
Personally, I always leaned toward the Gabe Kotters, who took on the Sweathogs of an inner-city school and ended up with our hearts.
Personally, I always leaned toward the Gabe Kotters, who took on the Sweathogs of an inner-city school and ended up with our hearts.
And Little House on the Prairie’s Miss Beadle reminded me of my first grade teacher – young, new and kind.
In fact, I still find myself comparing my teachers to those on the tube. I definitely would have taken Spanish and Glee Club had Mr. Schuester been posting the sign-up sheet.
And Charlie Moore. In Head of the Class, he had to find a way to challenge his group of brainiacs, so brilliant with the facts but confused about life.
And Charlie Moore. In Head of the Class, he had to find a way to challenge his group of brainiacs, so brilliant with the facts but confused about life.
He taught them amazing lessons and often answered our own age-old classroom question, “Where am I ever going to use this stuff?”
Some might say that TV teachers aren’t realistic. There’s no time for the touchy-feely extras.
It’s true; today, school seems to be more about budgets and standardized tests than growing individual minds.
It’s true; today, school seems to be more about budgets and standardized tests than growing individual minds.
But some do find a way to get through to their students and share their passion.
In Grade 10, I had my own Mr. Moore, at a time when I was starting to ask my own questions about school and where I’d go with this knowledge. So I know they exist.
Maybe I’m remembering through rose-coloured glasses.
In Grade 10, I had my own Mr. Moore, at a time when I was starting to ask my own questions about school and where I’d go with this knowledge. So I know they exist.
Maybe I’m remembering through rose-coloured glasses.
I didn’t have heart-to-hearts with them and no teacher ever visited my home to check up on me. (As if!)
But I seemed to be surrounded by mavericks, like those unique teachers on television.
And while today’s educators are fighting bureaucracy, perhaps they can be inspired by those teachers the writers conjure up for TV. I know I am.
And while today’s educators are fighting bureaucracy, perhaps they can be inspired by those teachers the writers conjure up for TV. I know I am.
