The Triumph

I'm a sucker for movies about inspirational teachers who manage to turn a class of rejects from hell into a class of success.

I watched The Triumph that was aired on the Hallmark Channel recently. Matthew Perry was the lead and of course, the white guy goes into a public school in Harlem and gets his ass whooped by the class of blacks, hispanics and asians, the class doomed for failure in life. And of course, the teacher, Don Clark, manages to sing their tune (quite literally) and convert them into youths who believe in themselves and their dreams, that the class is a family and they should dare to take risks and dream big.

This formula is tried and tested. And when it's based on a true story, it makes it all the more encouraging and heartwarming. Years ago, I fell in love with Dangerous Minds (and Michelle Pfeiffer), a similar movie about an ex-marine who makes an impact in the lives of many students who have been given up hope on, and have given up on themselves.

I think i might actually be good at teaching. It's something that I believe in doing - inspiring and making an impact in the lives of others. Sounds too idealistic? Maybe eventually, I'll get my Masters and start teaching at college level to combine both moolah and ideals. Who knows.

Yes, don't we all need some inspiration at various points of our lives? I want to be that person that leaves an impression and causes positive impacts.

But I also fear ruining some kiddo's life because he or she hates me and decides that my lessons are not worth the time, that education is a chore.

Maybe it's time to listen to Don Clark and take the much needed risk. Wish the kids of the world luck.