Director Davis Guggenheim Shows Us Why When It Comes To Education So Many Children Are Still Waiting for Superman
By: Jeffrey Valfer
TeenNewsNet Editor
I remember growing up always hearing that our education system was behind Japan, China and many other countries. Just two weeks ago, and three decades later President Barack Obama said the same thing. He highlighted how we are behind other countries in producing the most skilled workforce. After hearing his words, and the same rhetoric from other Politicians I sat back and laughed. It was like a laugh you let out after seeing clowns in a circus or one when you are just tired of hearing the same ole same ole.
In New York State close to 90% of our taxes go to the school district. Yet, this year over 1,400 teacher jobs were cut on Long Island. The student to teacher ratio is therefore much higher and I cannot list how many programs have been cut. It is like we are telling our children that we “know we need to give you the best running shoes to catch up, but I cannot tell you when they will arrive! So, do the best you can with the worn out boots you currently have.”
This week, Director Davis Guggenheim brings us a film (Waiting for Superman) that is both a masterpiece and ugly at the same time. I call it ugly because the truth most of the time is just that. It is also a masterpiece because it intelligently shows the inadequacies of America’s education system. I caught up with Guggenheim before the east coast premiere of his film at the Hampton International Film Festival:
TNN: I heard so much about how this film brings awareness to the discrepancies in today's education system. Can you tell us how you show this?
Guggenheim: The amazing thing about this film is their are five families waiting to go to a great school for their kids. This was an American story -- this big idea that parents want a great school for their kid. What you find out is there's a lottery they have to put themselves into. This little boy Anthony has the number three and you're waiting with the bingo basket to see if his ball is going to drop.
TNN: What else can we take away from it?
Guggenheim: It's inspiring, it's breathtaking, but it's really a wake-up call for our public schools. We have had such great responses. It's very exciting.
TNN: And money from ticket purchases are donated back to schools.
Guggenheim: When you buy a ticket to the movie you get a $15 coupon from Donors Choose. If you by a book for the movie you get another $15 coupon. So, you can actually give $30 to a teacher that has a classroom project through Donors Choose. It is really easy to do and really fun. We found a teacher in Orange County that needed a projector. We helped give this classroom a projector and received all these thank you notes a week later. Donors Choose is a really special organization.
TNN: You got to feel great that you filmed something that is now benefiting others around the country?
Guggenheim: The reviews and attention are nice, but the feeling that this movie can actually push the reform to go further and faster... We are really failing millions of kids in our country... That's not American! Every kid in our country deserves to have a great education and that is what this movie is about.
Press play below to view trailer of Waiting for Superman:
