A teacher is a person who plays a pivotal role in molding a student’s life.

A teacher imparts
not only academic knowledge but also shares ethical values, and imbibes morality that shapes our
personality as a better human being. A teacher is a life-changing role model who influences your
growth development, inculcating important everyday values. They are the building blocks of society
with immense patience, tolerance, and a bright shimmering smile. Nelson Mandela once said,
“Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” The teacher imparts
education hence the role of the teacher is of paramount importance both in the present and the
future of a student. In the film Stand and Deliver, math teacher Jaime Escalante encourages his
students to overcome the prejudices that society has built up against them. His confidence in his
students and motivation reveals how a wise instructor can make a difference in a student's life.

At first, I taught that this movie is a bit boring but then, I was wrong. I have enjoyed every
second of it and made me realize many things. The five scenarios that struck me are, first, when Mr.
Escalante arrives as a new teacher, students mistreat, disrespect, and mock him, students see him as
an enemy. Second, when Jaime taking the trash out at home, it said there that he had quit his
prestigious job as a computer engineer to become a teacher which proved that he was committed to
being a teacher regardless of the self-sacrifices. Third, when he brought in apples for everyone and
cut certain-sized slices out of the apples. Since the students were learning about fractions, he asked
them how much was missing from each of their apples. Fourth, when the students reward Mr. Jaime
Escalante a certificate and take a photo with him. And lastly, when they were accused of cheating on
the exam. He believed so strongly in his students and their ability to ace the AP exam without
cheating that he fought for them. After fighting he decided that he would help prepare the students
for the exam once again to prove that they can take it and achieve a similar score.

This film instilled in me the "ganas" to achieve more in life, especially in the path I am
pursuing. We all pain, and no one can taste the sweet taste of success without also tasting the bitter
taste of defeat and pain. Also, this film made me understand one thing, to achieve your life goals,
you must have a strong desire to achieve them. Also, never fail to believe in yourself. I realized that
in teaching there are many circumstances that teachers may encounter but giving up is not a
solution. As a future educator, I learned that even how hard the obstacles in the field of teaching, we
must remain steadfast in our commitment to our students because the future of those students
depends on the qualities and determination of the teacher. I learned about the importance of
getting a supportive relationship with your students helped them achieve confidence. And showing
interest and caring for the students establishes a trusting and sincere relationship with them, which
they also reciprocate, as the students in Mr. Escalante's classroom did, resulting in a win-win
situation for both the students and the teacher.

Teachers serve society by instructing and guiding countless students through the different
stages of their growth. They prepare them to take on the world which they are a part of. The teacher
must play different roles in a student’s life. They must be their friend stirring them clearly from
murky waters, they must be their guide helping them find their true calling in life, and they must be
a philosopher enlightening their young audience about the ways of the world. The movie "Stand and
deliver" gives us a preview of how a teacher must motivate each of their students for them to
succeed. It seems that Mr. Escalante is dedicated enough to reshape the future of those students
and it is the most admirable quality of Mr. Escalante. A teacher must have the passion and will to
guide their student along the dreams that they would like to take. We must be optimistic no matter
what happened on us. Accepting the calling of teaching in the future, I believed that on one’s
journey towards becoming a teacher with embodied goals that are still awaiting fruition are all based
upon the desire as well as necessity to know one’s students, in order to meet their diversity of
needs. As one’s goals are still developing and evolving, they are all heading towards the ultimate
achievement, which is to promote and enhance learning. The success of our students is mirrored
upon ourselves, were teaching provides a path for the students to face the challenges of later life, in
becoming articulate as well as globalized citizens of the 21st century.