American Teacher

As the debate over America's public schools rages on, the one thing everyone agrees on is the need for great teachers. Yet while research has shown that teachers are the most important in-school factor in a child's success, America's educators are so underpaid that almost two-thirds must work a second job in order to make a living. Chronicling the stories of four teachers in different areas of the country, American Teacher reveals the frustrating realities of today's teachers, the difficulty of attracting talented new educators, and why so many of our best teachers leave the profession altogether. Can we re-value teaching and turn it into a prestigious, financially attractive and desirable profession? with almost half of American teachers leaving the field in the next ten years, now is the time to find out.

Director: Vanessa Roth
Producer: Dave Eggers
Producer: N nive Calegari
Producer: Vanessa Roth
Actor: Erik Benner
Actor: Jamie Fidler
Actor: Rhena Jasey
Actor: Jonathan Dearman
Actor: Amanda Lueck
Actor: Matt Damon