To Sir, With Love & Karate Kid - say Happy Teachers' Day with these 7 films

1. To Sir, With Love (1967)

IMDB synopsis: Mark, an out-of-work engineer, takes up a teaching job at a high school in London's East End. Unaffected by the rowdy students, Mark implements his own brand of discipline in class.

Star Cast: Sidney Poitier, Judy Geeson, Christian Roberts

Why it is a must-watch: Based on a semi-autobiographical novel of same name, Mark's character goes through issues every teacher faces in real life. His solution, treat students as adults! And then what happens? Watch to know the answers.

2. Dead Poets Society

Star Cast: Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke

Why it is a must-watch: Many call this film a tribute to the profession of teaching. Teachers are not mere educationists. They have a lifelong impact on lives of students. As the teacher, Robin Williams fosters innovation, creativity, individualism, while teaching the importance of carpe diem.

3. Remember the Titans

IMDB Synopsis: Controversy surrounds high school basketball coach Ken Carter after he benches his entire team for breaking their academic contract with him.

Star Cast: Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Wood Harris

Why it is a must-watch: Sports like cricket and football are all about teamwork. In a world plagued with racism, Denzel Washington shows how to overcome all odds. 'Rome wasn't build in a day' - his character realises this and works towards bringing change - white and black students working hard together to be on the winning side.

4. Good Will Hunting

IMDB Synopsis: Will Hunting, a janitor at M.I.T., has a gift for mathematics, but needs help from a psychologist to find direction in life.

Star Cast: Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck

Why it is a must-watch: Your best student is probably lurking around the corner of the school campus, mopping the floors, working as a janitor. Teaching cannot be limited to books and within the four walls of a class. This one is about life. And classroom can't teach the lessons of life.

5. Mona Lisa Smile

IMDB Synopsis: A free-thinking art professor teaches conservative 1950s Wellesley girls to question their traditional social roles.

Star Cast: Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles

Why it is a must-watch: This movie is about a passionate art teacher and her zeal to pass on liberating views to her students, to break the bounds as a woman as defined by society.

6. School of Rock

IMDB Synopsis: After being kicked out of a rock band, Dewey Finn becomes a substitute teacher at a strict elementary private school, only to try and turn it into a rock band.

Star Cast: Jack Black, Mike White, Joan Cusack

Why it is a must-watch: A comic take on the realities of life, the movie's a toast to how the most unlikely character can end up being the best teacher in the world.

7. Karate Kid (Original & Remake)

IMDB Synopsis (1984): A martial arts master agrees to teach karate to a bullied teenager.

Star Cast: Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, Elisabeth Shue

IMDB Synopsis (2010): Work causes a single mother to move to China with her young son; in his new home, the boy embraces kung fu, taught to him by a master.

Star Cast: Jackie Chan, Jaden Smith, Taraji P. Henson

Why both the movies are a must-watch: The first Karate Kid is cult classic. The latest remake is no less than another classic. Based on a novel, the movies explore the relationship of a teacher and student. It teaches one simple thing - there's no shortcut to success.