The American Teacher (Documentary)

AMERICAN TEACHER is the feature-length documentary produced and directed by Academy Award--winning filmmaker Vanessa Roth; produced by Nínive Calegari, co-founder of the literacy non-profit 826 National, and best-selling author Dave Eggers; and narrated by Academy Award-winner Matt Damon. 

AMERICAN TEACHER chronicles the stories of four teachers - Erik Benner, Jonathan Dearman, Jamie Fidler, and Rhena Jasey - who live and work in disparate urban and rural areas of the country. By following these teachers as they reach different milestones in their careers, the film tells the deeper story of the teaching profession in America today. The film shows us the experience of these four young teachers as they recognize the importance of what they do, and how much they love what they do, but ask: can I afford to continue to teach?


Visit a series of movie clips on YouTube.


1. The American Teacher - Opening trailer:    Click here

2.  Everyone has had teachers -- but how much do you REALLY know about the profession? This piece may enlighten you.  Click here.