These Teacher Characters Actually Would Have Made Me Pay Attention In School — The 33 Best In Movies & TV

While school is not the most exciting topic for movies and television shows to explore, these teacher characters brought something special to the classroom. I have had all manner of teachers in my life through school, including the overly stern and intimidating ones, the ones who seemed like they wanted to be there less than I did, and the ones who generally made learning more exciting. This has been the experience for most students, and it is also something that is reflected in movies and TV shows, with the truly outstanding teachers being remembered fondly.

There have been countless teacher characters on the big and small screen over the years, with the depiction of a "great teacher" changing over time. Once, the pinnacle of teachers was the stoic and intelligent leaders who inspired students to be productive members of society. It then became the more spontaneous teachers who introduced their close-minded pupils to the larger world. With more time, audiences sought out teachers who connected with the particularly troubled students on a more personal level. The best teacher characters reflect all these versions of great educators and more.

33 Dr. Jones - The Indiana Jones Franchise

Played By Harrison Ford

Indiana Jones teaching a class in Raiders of the Lost Ark — Indiana Jones teaching a class.

Indiana Jones is a treasure hunter and archaeologist, but there is a sense that he holds teaching as his most important job. Throughout the Indiana Jones franchise, there are only a few moments that show Jones in the classroom, and while that might suggest he is somewhat absent in these duties, he offers his students level-headed advice, like "You want to be a good archaeologist, you've got to get out of the library!"

Indiana Jones

Created by: George Lucas
First Film: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Cast: Harrison Ford, Denholm Elliott, John Rhys-Davies, Karen Allen, Kate Capshaw, Ke Huy Quan, Amrish Puri, Sean Connery, Julian Glover, Alison Doody, Shia LaBeouf, Cate Blanchett, Ray Winstone, John Hurt, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Mads Mikkelsen
Video Game(s): Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Indiana Jones' Greatest Adventures, LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures, Lego Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues, Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine, Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb, Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings
Movie(s): Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Character(s): Indiana Jones, Marcus Brody, Sallah, Marion Ravenwood, Wilhelmina Scott, Wan Li, Mola Ram, Henry Jones, Sr., Walter Donovan, Elsa Schneider, Henry Jones III, Irina Spalko, George Michale, Harold Oxley, Helena Shaw, Jürgen Voller

32 Veronica Vaughn - Billy Madison (1995)

Played By Bridgette Wilson-Sampras

Billy (Adam Sandler) and Veronica (Bridgette Wilson) flirting in Billy's garden tent in Billy Madison. — Billy and Veronica in Billy Madison

A good teacher should be able to deal with numerous unexpected challenges in a classroom, and in the case of Veronica Vaughn in Billy Madison, she has to deal with a childish and spoiled man in his 20s becoming one of her students. As obnoxious as Adam Sandler's lead character is, Veronica puts him in his place more than once. She also stands up for her students and shows them kindness.

31 Will Schuester - Glee (2009-2015)

Played By Matthew Morrison

Rachel crying on Will's shoulder in Glee

Glee was filled with catchy pop songs and big performances that perhaps didn't give the most realistic depiction of high school, but it was certainly fun. The same can be said of the Glee club teacher, Will Schuester (aka Mr. Shue). There are times when he blurred the line between peer and teacher with his students and did not always have the best advice, but he deserves credit for giving a bunch of aimless outcast students somewhere to shine.

30 Walter White - Breaking Bad (2008-2013)

Played By Bryan Cranston

Walter White in the pilot episode of Breaking Bad, standing by a chalkboard in chemistry class. — Walter White in the pilot episode of Breaking Bad

Given that Walter White became a mastermind drug kingpin, it is easy to forget that he started out the series as a mild-mannered teacher of high school chemistry. While Walt certainly had a hard time getting his students to be as enthusiastic about chemistry as he was, he proved himself as a great teacher in a more unorthodox way by teaching Jesse Pinkman how to cook meth. While highly illegal, it is still impressive considering how hopeless Jesse was in the beginning.

29 Edna Krabappel - The Simpsons (1989-)

Played By Marcia Wallace

Mrs. Krabappel sitting on her desk with her legs crossed and Marcia Wallace's tribute written on the blackboard in The Simpsons

A lot of the humor surrounding Springfield Elementary's Ms. Krabappel came from the fact that she seemed thoroughly uninterested in her job, and with students like Bart Simpson, you can't blame her for being a little rundown. However, the classic episode of The Simpsons, "Bart Gets an F", showcases more sympathy and understanding in Ms. Krabappel, giving some insight into the kind of teacher she is deep down.

28 Detective John Kimble - Kindergarten Cop (1990)

Played By Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger screaming in Kindergarten Cop

The simple idea of Arnold Schwarzenegger teaching a class of young toddlers was funny enough to launch this comedy. However, while John Kimble finds himself in over his head when he takes on this undercover job, he also looks out for his young students and learns how to reach them on an engaging level — basically following the path of any new teacher.

27 Mr. Bruner - The Edge Of Seventeen (2016)

Played By Woody Harrelson

The Edge of Seventeen - Hailee Steinfeld and Woody Harrelson

The Edge of Seventeen is a teen movie that follows high school outcast Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld) as she navigates through the most awkward moments of this time in her life with her blunt and dry-witted teacher, Mr. Bruner (Woody Harrelson), as her sole mentor. Bruner is the kind of teacher who is willing to treat his students as grown-ups, even if he is overcome by their immaturity at times. While he keeps a professional distance, he is also willing to be there for Nadine when she really needs help.

26 Dan Dunne - Half Nelson (2006)

Played By Ryan Gosling

Dan (Ryan Gosling) stands in front of a chalkboard in Half Nelson. — Dan (Ryan Gosling) stands in front of a chalkboard in *Half Nelson*.

Ryan Gosling earned his first Oscar nomination for his powerful performance in the indie Half Nelson as Dan, a dedicated teacher who is battling drug addiction. Though his addiction consumes much of his life, the classroom seems to be the place where Dan is comfortable being sober, and after connecting with one of his at-risk students, he is dedicated to helping her even as his own life falls apart.

25 Jessica Day - New Girl (2011-2018)

Played By Zooey Deschanel

Jess (Zooey Deschanel) smiling in New Girl

While Jessica Day's bubbly and overly optimistic attitude might have annoyed her male roommates at times, it was that personality and her commitment to it that helped make her such an effective teacher. She was someone who passionately loved teaching and was so excited about what her young students were accomplishing that it was hard not to get caught up in her endearing outlook.

24 Charles Xavier - The X-Men Movies

Played By Patrick Stewart

Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier talking to students at the end of X2 X-Men United

Charles Xavier ran the Xavier Institute, a school which operated as a place of education as well as a safe haven for young mutants with nowhere else to go. However, even while he was often busy throughout the X-Men movies, saving the world, there were times when he was seen in the classroom, engaging the students in thoughtful and complex conversations with the same sensitivity and warmness that made him a mentor for so many.

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