Lou Anne Johnson is a pop culture professor played by Michelle Pfeiffer in the film Dangerous Minds. Dangerous Minds was undoubtedly a Hollywood film, but it still contained important character ideas that were relevant to what 21st century educators should still look like today. The premise of the film shows that inner-city schools often have students who are behind (not exclusively, but primarily minorities), but that with true passion, understanding, and compassionate effort, these students can achieve astonishing levels of success. “Passion and motivation are the fuel that propels the human spirit and are at the heart of student success” (Balls, Eury, & King, 2011). Throughout the film, several teaching strategies are highlighted to promote student motivation. The teacher begins the lesson by informing all students that they are starting with an A; all they have to do is try to keep it. In the book Tools for Teaching, Barbara Davis would support this method of motivation due to her belief in downplaying the importance of grades and promoting learning for the sake of learning. One of his motivation strategies states: “Ensure opportunities for students by assigning them tasks that are neither too easy nor too difficult. » It is evident in the film that the students don't care what the teacher knows until they are certain that she cares about them. Not only is the teacher extremely patient while waiting to gain the respect of her students, but she also maintains a positive and determined attitude towards them. The role of the teacher as an educator can be directly compared to the philosophical aspects of behaviorism. According to the behaviorist, teachers have many rewards or other incentives prepared and ready when the need to motivate students...... middle of paper ...... especially relevant to the outside world! In Dangerous Minds, however; a genuine effort to connect with students is a powerful agent in helping students rediscover their desire to learn and excel. ReferencesBalls, JD, Eury, DA, King, JC (2011). Rethink, rebuild, bounce back. City, State: Pearson Learning Solutions. Bass, R., (1995) Dangerous Minds. Hollywood, CA: Hollywood Pictures. Karp, Stan. (2011). Taking teacher quality seriously: A collaborative approach to teacher evaluation. Accessed xxMonth20xx http://rethinkingschoolsblog.wordpress.com/2011/12/05/taking-teacher-quality-seriously-a-collaborative-approach-to-teacher-evaluation/ Ozmon, HA (2012). Philosophical Foundations of Education: Ninth Edition. City, State: Pearson Education, Inc. If you quote a line from a movie, you must provide the source here..