'TEACH', A New Television Special Celebrates Teachers, To Premiere Sept. 6 On CBS

'TEACH', A New Television Special Celebrates Teachers, To Premiere Sept. 6 On CBS

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TEACH promo

TEACH, a new two-hour special that explores America’s education system through the eyes, minds and hearts of its most essential resource – teachers – will premiere Friday, Sept. 6 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

“We all have had a teacher who’s shaped us, inspired us, even scared us, and who we can credit with having empowered us to become who we are today,” said Jack Sussman, Executive Vice President, Specials, Music and Live Events, CBS Entertainment.  “This special celebrates those educators who, despite many hurdles and obstacles, aspire to bring inspiration to their students to succeed.”

TEACH, Guggenheim’s third documentary on the subject of education in America, asks the question, “What does it take to be a teacher?”  The special will offer a rare glimpse inside four public school classrooms in different cities around the country.  This year-in-the-life of four public school teachers will give an intense and emotional illustration of how  tenacity, innovation and passion drives these educators as they navigate the ups and downs of the 2012-13 school year.  Viewers will go into the public school district classrooms of: Matt Johnson, a 4th grade teacher at McGlone Elementary, Denver; Shelby Harris, 7th and 8th grade math teacher at Kuna Middle, Kuna, Idaho; Joel Laguna, a 10th grade AP World History teacher at Garfield High, Los Angeles; and Lindsay Chinn, a 9th grade algebra teacher at MLK Early College, Denver.  TEACH is a Participant Media and Pivot TV Presentation and a Little Room production.

These educators mentor their students to help them overcome obstacles and strive for success.  While they all aspire to be the best at their jobs, Guggenheim’s subjects are diverse in every way, implementing conventional and unconventional methods, and teaching different subjects and age groups in a range of communities. Yet, they all have one common denominator – the grit and resolve to hang in and make a difference with their students.

“Davis is a master storyteller who has created a compelling film with four interweaving stories that showcases the importance and value of American teachers,” said Jim Berk, CEO of Participant Media.  “We are thrilled to collaborate with CBS to present TEACH and bring it to audiences, many of whom we hope will consider teaching as a career.”

“I believe teachers are heroes and have the ability to make an incredible impact in the long-term future of our kids,” said Guggenheim.  “The airing of TEACH on CBS is another milestone in Participant’s long-term commitment to raise the visibility of the teaching profession and support efforts to recruit the next generation of great educators.”

Within the next 10 years, more than 60% of American’s teachers will retire. The airings of TEACH will kick off Participant Media’s 18-month social action campaign in partnership with Teach.org to inform and engage students and recent graduates as they consider career choices.  The initiative aims to rebrand and reinvigorate interest in the teaching profession.

Guggenheim is best known for groundbreaking documentaries such as “The First Year,” his first documentary about public school teachers, “Waiting for Superman” and the Academy Award-winning “An Inconvenient Truth,” as well as the successful television series “Deadwood,” “Numb3rs,” on the Network, and “NYPD Blue.”

Participant Media is an award-winning global independent entertainment company known for high quality films that inspire social change, such as “The Help,” “Good Night and Good Luck,” “Food Inc.,” “The Cove,” “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” and, most recently, “Lincoln” and “A Place at the Table.” Through its films, social action campaigns, digital network TakePart.com, and Pivot, its new television network for Millennials, Participant seeks to entertain, encourage and empower every individual to take action.

TEACH, a film by Davis Guggenheim, is a Participant Media and Pivot TV Presentation and a Little Room production.  It was co-written with David Wild.

RATING:  To be announced