EPISODE 224: Revisiting the Origins of Our Movie Review Format
March 19, 2025
Overview:
In this special episode, we take a nostalgic look back at the early recordings that sparked our popular movie review format. This episode is a fun compilation of guests sharing their favorite school-related movies and TV shows, along with their thoughts on what’s realistic — and what’s not — about those stories.
Our guests represent voices from across the country, including Pennsylvania, Utah, Texas, Missouri, Montana, Arizona, Wisconsin, California, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, North Carolina, Oregon, Kentucky, New York, Connecticut, Minnesota, and Rhode Island. Each guest answered two key questions:
- What is your favorite school-related TV show or movie?
- What is unrealistic about that movie or TV show?
Meet Our Guest:
The answers ranged from heartwarming classics to laugh-out-loud comedies and inspiring dramas. Here’s a breakdown of the most mentioned titles:
- School of Rock – 6 mentions
- Abbott Elementary – 4 mentions
- Remember the Titans – 2 mentions
- Grease – 2 mentions
- The Sound of Music – 1 mention
- Dead Poets Society – 1 mention
- Home Alone – 1 mention
- Annie – 1 mention
- Welcome Back, Kotter – 1 mention
- Dangerous Minds – 1 mention
- Summer School – 1 mention
- Top Gun – 1 mention
- Stand and Deliver – 1 mention
- To Sir, With Love – 1 mention
- Ferris Bueller’s Day Off – 1 mention
- Fast Times at Ridgemont High – 1 mention
- Most Likely to Succeed – 1 mention
- Gilmore Girls – 1 mention
- Glee – 1 mention
- The Long Game – 1 mention
- A Christmas Story – 1 mention
- Billy Madison – 1 mention
- The OC – 1 mention
- The Breakfast Club – 1 mention
- I Love Lucy – 1 mention
- Friday Night Lights – 1 mention
- Yesterday – 1 mention
- Old School – 1 mention
- Boston Public – 1 mention
- Freedom Writers – 1 mention
- Ted Lasso – 1 mention
- Back to School – 1 mention
Whether you’re a fan of inspiring educators, unforgettable student antics, or heartwarming school stories, this episode is packed with entertaining insights from guests who know education best. Tune in to hear what your peers are watching and maybe add a few new titles to your must-watch list!
The Host:
Host, Kevin Stoller:
Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.
Connect with Kevin:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstoller/
Our Partners:
For more information on our partners:
Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) – https://www.a4le.org/
Education Leaders’ Organization – https://www.ed-leaders.org/
Second Class Foundation – https://secondclassfoundation.org/
EDmarket – https://www.edmarket.org/
Catapult @ Penn GSE – https://catapult.gse.upenn.edu/
Be a Guest on the Better Learning Podcast!
Do you have a favorite school-related movie that left a lasting impact? Join us as a guest on the Better Learning Podcast, where we dive into iconic films, break down memorable moments, and hand out fun awards—all while connecting them to real-world education.
From standout teachers to unforgettable one-liners, we’ll explore how these movies reflect (or totally exaggerate!) school life. Plus, you’ll get to share your own insights and experiences in education.
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About the podcast
With humor, analysis, and reflection, each episode celebrates the fun, flaws, and impact of these films while sparking nostalgia and insights. Whether you’re an educator, student, or movie buff, join us to relive the movies that shaped how we see school life, and share your favorites.