World Teachers’ Day has been celebrated annually since 1994, and October 5 is the day when the entire globe can say thank you to teachers educating us since our early days of preschool. According to UNESCO, the theme for World Teachers’ Day 2022 is “The transformation of education begins with teachers.”

The role of influential teachers is a focal point in literature and, of course, in movies and TV shows. Let’s have a look at five onscreen teachers who have shaped the minds of generations of moviegoers and TV viewers.

 

Lydia Grant (Debbie Allen) in Fame

“You’ve got big dreams. You want dame. Well, fame costs. And right here is where you start paying. In sweat.”

 

For anyone who ever dreamed of making it as a performer, or who felt that they didn’t fit in in high school, the Golden Globe-winning TV series Fame based on Alan Parker’s 1980 film of the same name, is legendary. Broadcast from 1982 to 1987, Fame resonated with millions of TV viewers because of its authenticity. The teacher character, Lydia Grant, an inspiring dance instructor, was in both the movie and TV series and taught at New York City High School for the Performing Arts. She is played by Debbie Allen who garnered her first Golden Globe as Best TV Actress – Musical or Comedy in 1983, becoming the first Black actress to win in this category. Interestingly, Allen performed the role of dance teacher both in front of and behind the camera as she choreographed the TV series.

 

Mr. Keating (Robin Williams) from Dead Poets Society

“Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.”

 

Portrayed by Golden Globe winner Robin Williams in Peter Weir’s Globe-nominated drama Dead Poets Society, Mr. Keating is an inspirational private school English teacher who encourages his students to think outside of the box and stand up for themselves. His teaching methods are unconventional: standing on desks and ripping pages out of books is hard to ignore.

 

Albus Dumbledore (Richard Harris) from Harry Potter

“It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be.”

 

The Headmaster of Hogwarts and Professor of Transfiguration, played by Golden Globe-winner Richard Harris in the first two films of the Harry Potter franchise, is one of the most memorable fictional teachers to date. Though he comes across as a conventional teacher, Albus Dumbledore uses his eccentric sorcery and offers guidance each time Harry and his wizard squad are in trouble. Plus, he is extremely good at hiring the best teaching staff: just think of Professor McGonagall (Golden Globe winner Maggie Smith), Professor Snape (Golden Globe winner Alan Rickman) and many others.

 

Yoda from Star Wars

“Do or do not, there is no try.”

 

Even if you are not a fan of Star Wars, you might know that Yoda is a legendary Jedi Master who trained the Jedi for over 800 years. He is a teacher to Luke Skywalker and his guide for Luke’s Jedi journey. Though small in size, Yoda is extremely powerful and wise, and his quotes are frequently used by many teachers in classrooms all over the world.

 

Ms. Norbury (Tina Fey) from Mean Girls

“I am a pusher. I push people.”

 

Based on Rosalind Wiseman’s book of the same name and written by Golden Globe winner Tina Fey, Mean Girls has become an iconic high school movie. Fey also stars in the film as a math teacher, Ms. Norbury, who both gives great math instruction and finds a way to teach high school girls how to respect each other and themselves.