The First Year

Director Davis Guggenheim shadows four first-year teachers in this documentary film about the joys and frustrations of the teaching profession. He tends to portray the American public schooling system as broken. The cracks are evident in "The First Year", and the breach is more evident in his 2010 documentary "Waiting for Superman" (which I have yet to see at the time of this writing). "The First Year" is fascinating viewing. These are the average teachers dealing with ordinary kids, kids whose parents may or may not have an active role in their lives. We watch as the teachers contend with administrative mix-ups, budget shortfalls, and disruptive students. And it's important that we care - these kids are going to be running things when you and I are in shuffle mode, constrained to our walkers. Let's not be lamenters at some later date; let's act now.