Four Boys Teacher example essay topic

This movie is about a group of boys that live in an Appalachian town that is centered on mining. These four boys have grown up around a mine with many of their fathers or relatives working in the mine. It is pretty much assumed that one will work in the mine and stay in the city of Coalwood for the rest of their lives unless they can somehow get a scholarship. The easiest way to receive a scholarship would be through athletics and that was not easy in itself. The main character, Homer Hickey, had the desire to be someone and to get out of Coalwood.

He despised the mine and knew that the coal mining lifestyle was not for him. There was not much importance put on education. Young people were either encouraged to play football or to go to the mine. The adults of the city had a fear of their children leaving, the fear that they would not see the children once they left Coalwood. Being intelligent was looked down upon. The members of society believed that if one individual was smarter than the rest, then that individual thought that he or she was better than the rest of the citizens.

The four boys' teacher, Miss Riley saw something in them and wanted them to make something of themselves. She encouraged the boys when they told her of their interest in rockets. The boys worked very hard to figure the making of a rocket out. Despite many obstacles and many people not believing in the boys, they did not quit. They finally figured it out and entered a science fair. Their work carried them to win the national science fair.

This victory sponsored college scholarships for each of the boys allowing them to continue on with their knowledge and to get out of the city of Coalwood. This film relates to multi-cultural education because the Appalachian people are different from many others. The society these students grow up in does not place much importance on education. They want to be self-reliant and skilled in a particular trade such as coal mining. Students that are in school may drop out at any time and not think twice about it. This movie shows how extremely important it is to try to reach each student.

If Miss Riley had not pushed these boys to keep after their dream, showing them that she believed in them, they may have quit when other people doubted them. As a teacher it is essential to show the belief for each and every student to succeed. It is also essential to be understanding of the background of the students. If one did not know about the background of the Appalachian people, it may not occur to the teacher how important it is to provide positive support to the students. This movie showed me that there is potential in every student and it is the responsibility of the teacher to see that and then to show that potential to the student.