I just listened to the teachers in films portion of your September 5th episode. The guest comments how the Erin Gruwell character in "Freedom Writers" fits the stereotype the guest mentions and cites the divorce of Ms. Gruwell from her husband as evidence.

However, it was not mentioned that "Freedom Writers" is largely based on a true story, and Erin Gruwell and her husband did indeed divorce for reasons similar to those presented in the film.

So - is the female-good-teacher-stereotype limited to film? Was Ms. Gruwell's ex-husband not able to deal with a wife who did not fit the stereotype he had seen in film or is the stereotype pervasive throughout our culture.

Although I think your guest was right with the many movies putting teachers as black or white, however Freedom Writers is based on a true story. So should they screen writers ignore a great story because it's too cliche? Also Stand and Deliver wasn't mentioned, although it pretty much the same story and also based on a true story.

You guys overlooked a big one: the noble white teacher who goes into the ghetto to "save" underprivileged, usually black, kids. Dangerous Minds and Freedom Writers, both of which you discussed, are prominent examples of this, but there are many, many others.

A book that does not portray teachers in a black and white fashion is My First Year In Purgatory (ISBN 978-1-4303-1198-0, paperback, 219 pp.) While in some ways this memoir could be called a 21st century highbred of Welcome Back Kotter and Black Board Jungle, the author purposeful avoided the “teacher that overcame the odds” stereotype that is present in most teacher narratives. The memoir is a realistic, disturbing and humorous look at the life of an embattled urban first year educator. It also contains illustrations of students acting out. You can check it out at Lulu.com or myfirstyearinpurgatory.org Direct link is http://www.lulu.com/content/630141