Free Documentary: American Teacher

Weaving the perspectives of policy experts and startling facts with the lives and careers of four teachers, American Teacher tells the collective story of those closest to the issues in our educational system—the 3.2 million teachers who spend every day in classrooms. Documenting the day-to-day lives and sacrifices of public school teachers, this outstanding film heightens our awareness of the real crisis in our educational system—how little we value our strongest, most committed, and most effective teachers, and the ripple effect this has on how our children learn.

In American Teacher, Oscar winner Matt Damon narrates this eye-opening look at American education, as viewed from the perspective of four dedicated teachers. Directed by Academy Award winner Vanessa Roth (The Third Monday in October) and produced by Dave Eggers (Away We Go), the film aims to address difficult questions about the broken public school system through honest dialogue with the people who strive to give children the education they deserve.

Marjorie Leonard, president-elect of the CAL-Retired Teachers Association, and Sherry Blackman, thirty-year veteran at Walters Jr. High in Fremont, will lead our discussion following the film.