15 Greatest Teachers in Movies

As the summer winds down and everyone heads back to school, now is the time to celebrate some of the greatest teachers in movie history.

"Aloha," Mr. Hand. As a stern U.S. History teacher, Ray Walston is strict but fair, resulting in an epic battle of "wits" with stand-out, strung-out student Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn).

English teacher John Keating (Robin Williams) seeks to inspire his students at an elite prep school in Vermont, circa 1959. It's a rough ride, but most of them respond, finally, standing tall and saluting him: "O Captain! My Captain!"

The unlikeliest educator of children ever, police detective John Kimble (Arnold Schwarzenegger) proves his bravery under fire as he faces his toughest assignment: Teaching kindergarten.

Third grade teacher Veronica Vaughn (Bridgette Wilson) must put aside her personal distaste for Billy (Adam Sandler), a decision that is rewarded when Billy starts putting aside his irresponsible habits and slowly discovers he loves learning.

Based on a true story, Michelle Pfeiffer stars as Louanne Johnson, a former U.S. Marine who takes on the challenge of teaching a classroom filled with high school students with no desire to learn. With the help of Coolio's hit song, she helps turn them around. 

An eager musician, but a reluctant teacher, Mr. Holland (Richard Dreyfuss) discovers that he has a secret talent for inspiring his high school students, even though it's a talent he's slow to acknowledge.

His outward appearance may be ungainly, but professor Sherman Klump (Eddie Murphy) is kind, thoughtful and rather brilliant. Though it takes a few failed experiments for him to learn that lesson.

Rosemary Cross (Olivia Williams) is a teacher who has just lost her husband, so she's quite alarmed at the eccentric devotion of Max (Jason Schwartzmann) as she enters into a relationship with Herman (Bill Murray). Yet she maintains her high standards, both professionally and personally.

Nebraska high school teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) faces his greatest challenge in his over-eager, dishonest and disingeuous student Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon). It's a fight to the finish!

Who wouldn't want a telepathic, cool wheelchair-driving Patrick Stewart for their Professor? We'd love to be Xavier's T.A., especially for Danger Room 101. 

Headmaster at Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Albus Dumbledore (Richard Harris) has a commanding, stately presence, although he has a gentle and kind personality that will serve his students well.

The financially desperate Dewey Finn (Jack Black) pretends to be his best friend and takes his gig as a substitute teacher at a prep school, only to find his true calling: Teaching kids how to rock.

Katherine Ann Watson (Julia Roberts) wants to teach her conservative, young female college students to question what they've learned, not merely impart knowledge - a radical idea in the early 1950s. She succeeds... eventually.

Hilary Swank faces many challenges in her new assignment at a troubled high school. In the end, her personal determination to help the kids is what ultimately makes a difference.

As a middle-school teacher who emodies every negative stereotype about teachers, Cameron Diaz finally learns her lesson, turns things around and becomes - gasp - a guidance counselor!