The First Year

Rating:
Summary: Required viewing for all
Review: The First Year is a wonderful documentary that shows the daily struggles of public school teachers in the face of apathetic administrations, parents, and students. As a teacher in the state of California this film strengthened my own resolve to be the best educator I can. At the same time the film also illustrates the break down of the public school system. The notes with this disc states that The First Year was "created to recruit and retain the next generation of teachers."In some ways I think this film will scare teachers off because of the way some of the teachers are treated by the school's administration.In any case I think this should be required viewing by any school board members, teachers, and civil servants in national and state goverments.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Wonderful Story of First Year Teachers
Review: The real world--that is what this movie (documentary) is about. No special effects--just human beings selflessly giving themselves to children in LA--and somehow surviving on 18K per year. This is an especially wonderful movie for anyone who is thinking of becoming a teacher. The understated love that every one of the teachers has for their children and their profession is what one really takes away from this movie. In that sense, this truly is a love story. And one can only hope that there are enough wonderful teachers like the ones portrayed in this movie out there working. The future of the country depends on them.