Film is one of the most influential sources of the media today though it is a relatively young industry. Some critics believe that films reflect the trends and beliefs of the society that produces them. By comparison, the teaching profession may be considered one of the oldest occupations. Teachers form one of the largest and most ubiquitous professions in this country. Yet, when the two merge, the teachers that appear on film seldom resemble any that we know.
This study contends that the teacher images that appear on the screen are reflections of stereotypes that already existed in society as a result of the way the teaching profession has developed in this country. It also contends that the stereotypes have been maintained by the nature of film itself, and that in being transposed onto film, the teacher character becomes transformed into a "hero" as defined by film.
Literature on the development of the teaching profession in America is reviewed to determine the possible origins of the stereotypes. The history of the American film industry is surveyed for those characteristics that may have perpetuated the stereotypes. Finally, a selection of films featuring teachers was viewed and analyzed using a protocol of "stereotypical" film teacher and film hero characteristics to determine if the teachers of the silver screen did indeed follow the prescribed film stereotype of teacher and hero.
