Searching for Great Teachers

The film _The Emperor's Club_ urges us to examine what's important in teaching.

By Patrick F. Bassett

Every so often, a film comes along that reminds those of us who work in education why we do what we do. Such was the case with "The Emperor's Club," and, in particular, with Kevin Kline's avuncular character, William Hundert. The film urges us to examine what is important in education, and spawns debate about high-quality teaching that extends beyond the walls of academia into the public sector.

"The Emperor's Club" couldn't have come at a better time, as America simultaneously seeks to attract a huge number of new recruits to replace a generation of teachers who are about to retire, and to redress the failures of the educational system at large, so that, in fact as in rhetoric, "no child is left behind." It is imperative that we, as a nation, develop strategies for dealing with these pressing issues. But, first, we must ask, "What makes a good teacher good?"

Some people define good teachers as those who are certified. A "highly qualified teacher in every classroom" is their mantra. But are...