Mr. Escalante's journey

            So far it appears to me that Mr. Escalante is the epitome of what I look for in a teacher.  When we wrote about what I value in a teacher I told you of the ability to inspire the desire to learn as well as a sense of duty to the students.  Mr. Escalante has demonstrated those traits and so many more that all add up to make him a superb teacher. 

My first glimpse of Mr. Escalante was as he was driving to work through a seemingly seedy side of town.  This was depicted with graffiti and a rundown look to the neighborhood he drove through.  When he arrived at the school, I saw conditions that were similar to the neighborhood to include vandalism, theft, and feces.  As you picture the scene as I have explained it, remember back to when I said that kids are a product of their environment.  It is no different in this case.  In his first class the students are unruly, disrespectful, and completely uninterested in learning.  The class is interrupted by an obviously mistimed bell which the students gladly take advantage of.  They even go so far as to physically assault Mr. Escalante! 

The first part of the movie progresses to show Mr. Escalante whipping the kids into shape through various methods.  That is what I think makes him such a good teacher is his adaptability.  He is able to use different methods for the variety of issues that arise, and at the same time he inspires the desire to learn in the students.  That normally would be enough but he goes even further and personally intervenes in several students’ lives in order to ensure they are able to succeed.  What more could you ask for in a teacher.