Lou Anne Johnson is a pop culture teacher played by Michelle Pfeiffer in the film Dangerous Minds. Dangerous Minds was definitely a Hollywood movie, but it still contained some important character ideas that were relevant to what 21st century educators should still look like today. The film's premise depicts that inner-city schools often have students who are behind (not exclusively, but primarily minorities), but with true passion, understanding, and compassionate effort, these students can achieve astonishing levels of success. “Passion and motivation are the fuel that drives the human spirit and this is at the heart of student achievement” (Balls, Eury, & King, 2011). The film demonstrates various teaching strategies to promote student motivation. The teacher begins the lesson by informing all students that they will start with an A; all they have to do is try to maintain it. In the book Tools for Teaching, Barbara Davis, advocates this motivational method because she believes it de-emphasizes grades and promotes learning for its own sake. One of his motivational strategies states: “Ensure opportunities for students by assigning tasks that are neither too easy nor too difficult.” It is evident in the film that the students could care less what the teacher knows until they are sure that she cares about them. Not only is the teacher extremely patient as he waits to earn the respect of his students, but he also maintains a positive and determined attitude towards them. The role of the teacher as 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 there is a 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 regain their desire to learn and excel. References Balls, J.D., Eury, D.A., King, J.C. (2011). Rethink, rebuild, rebound. 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. Retrieved xxMonth20xx http://rethinkingschoolsblog.wordpress.com/2011/12/05/taking-teacher-quality-seriously-a-collaborative-approach-to-teacher-evaluation/Ozmon, H. A. (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.