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What Adam Sandler Got RIGHT About Education in _Leo_
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Jan 16, 2024
In this thought-provoking video, the presenter explores what Adam Sandler got right about education in the movie "Leo." Gain insights and reflections on the film's portrayal of educational themes and how they resonate with real-world perspectives. Whether you're a film enthusiast, educator, or someone interested in the intersection of cinema and education, this video provides a unique perspective on the insights derived from Adam Sandler's portrayal of educational narratives in the movie "Leo."
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I must confess, when Leo popped up on my Netflix suggestions, well, I thought it was just going
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to suck. And be honest, you probably felt the same. Yet to my surprise, and maybe yours, the film was not just good, it was outstanding, surpassing
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all expectations. And as an educator, what really hit home for me was just how spot on Leo was in capturing
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the realism about 5th grade life and the whole education scene. You know how most school-based movies and shows are usually stuffed with the same old
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cliches and stereotypes? Well, Leo was a breath of fresh air. Sure, it's got its fair share of those typical tropes too, but I've got to say I was pleasantly
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surprised by how much it got right about the challenges and realities of modern education
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So let's delve into what Adam Sandler, along with Robert Smigel, aka the voice of Triumph
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the insult comic dog, and Sandy Wexler, collaborator of Paul Sato, got right about education in Leo
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We'll kick things off with a bit of a backstory. The origins to Leo date back years ago from an idea that Sandler had for a movie that
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he referred to as the Grease for the grade school crowd. Much like the 1978 hit, he envisioned a group of 5th graders realizing they were about to
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say goodbye to elementary school, hello to middle school, and the anxiety that follows
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Smigel, an animal lover, had the idea to tell the story through the eyes of a classroom pet
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They based the mannerisms, look, and voice of the main character on their former agent
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from Saturday Night Live, Bernie Brillstein. And here's a few more fun facts
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Sandler's daughters are 15 and 17 years old, and Smigel's kids were in 4th grade during
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the making of Leo. So fairly recently, both writers were right in the thick of the whole middle school transition
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phase with their own kids. They've seen first hand all the ups and downs and in-betweens that come with it
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And get this, for a slice of real life authenticity, both Sandler and Smigel's children lent their
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voices to characters in the film. It's kind of like a nod to the classic Charlie Brown specials, where the charm was all about
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hearing actual kids' voices, not professional actors. These little touches might just be part of why the school world in Leo hits so close
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to home and feels incredibly genuine. Now let's dive into what specifically makes this film strike such an authentic chord
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In the movie, Leo wasn't just a wise old lizard. He becomes a key figure in helping the kids deal with their worries and doubts
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He's not just a class pet, but a real teacher in his own right
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He listens, chats with them, and works out ways to help them tackle their anxieties and insecurities
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And you know what? It works. The students start doing way better, both in how they get along with each other, how
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they feel about themselves, and in their schoolwork. The Leo character really highlights just how important it is to take care of mental health
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in schools. We're talking about a world after the pandemic, where good grades are just part of the picture
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Students' emotional well-being is huge too. Nowadays schools are all about social-emotional learning
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They're even shelling out big bucks for formal SEL programs to help kids out
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And the fears and anxieties you see students facing in Leo? That's exactly why this stuff matters
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Leo really hits the nail on the head when it comes to how some parents can be a bit
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too much in their kids' education. Take the scene when the parents are up in arms about Miss Selena's maternity leave
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Talk about an overreaction. And then there's Jada's dad, voiced by Jason Alexander
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He's all about gaming the system to get his daughter extra perks, even breaking out into
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a boastful song and dance about it. And don't forget about Eli's folks too
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They're so wrapped up in bubble wrapping their kid that they use a high-tech drone to keep
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him safe and sound. The poor kid ends up lacking any self-confidence
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While the movie shows that these parents mean well, their over-the-top actions end up doing
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more harm than good. Leo messes with the kids' heads and throws a wrench into the whole learning process
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Scenes like these are a real eye-opener to the kinds of pressure teachers often face
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every year from parents, and how it can skew what education is really about
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Leo does a fantastic job of showing just how much technology has become a part of a student's
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life at home and at school. We see students glued to their smartphone, happily using laptops, and interacting with
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other technology as well. It's a real picture of today's classrooms where many kids are getting their first phone
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around fifth or sixth grade. While it doesn't explore the topic in great depth, these scenes dive into the double-edged
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sword that is technology in education. On one hand, when you smartly, tech opens up a world of personalized learning, endless
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resources and key digital skills. But it's not all smooth sailing. Kids' gadgets can sometimes pull kids' focus away from what they're supposed to be learning
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And then you have Ms. Melko, who's just not on board with all the tech
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This character kind of sheds light on ongoing debates in education circles, such as how
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much screen time is too much, and are we losing out on traditional learning methods
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Leo shines a light on the striking differences in teaching styles between the tech-savvy
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Mrs. Salinas and the more traditional Mrs. Melko. Mrs. Salinas is all about making learning engaging and interactive, using laptops to
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bring lessons to life, and motivating her students in creative ways. This is a stark contrast to Mrs. Melko's old-school approach, where it's all about rote learning
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reading from a massive textbook, and even implementing a demerit system that feels more
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punitive than educational. The clash of educational philosophies isn't just something you see in the movies
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It's a real-life issue in schools everywhere. It leads to an uneven and sometimes unfair learning experience for students
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And in Leo, this conflict is portrayed as a generation gap, highlighting the ongoing
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struggle in education to find the right balance between embracing innovative teaching methods
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and honoring tried-and-true traditional practices. As any educator knows, striking this balance in the real world is easier said than done
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In Leo, the school wasn't just a backdrop for academic learning. It's a vibrant community hub
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With Leo's long-standing presence in the school, the film beautifully illustrates how a school
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is much more than a place for lessons and homework. It's where students, teachers, and even a wise old lizard can form a unique community, fostering
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relationships that go beyond the classroom walls. Throughout the film, we see how this community shapes the lives of everyone involved
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The interactions between Leo and the students, the dynamics among students themselves, and
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even the engagement with teachers like Mrs. Salinas and Mrs. Malco, all contribute to
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a rich tapestry of school life. It's here, in this microcosm, that students learn crucial life skills like empathy, teamwork
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and resilience, skills that are just as important as academic knowledge. Moreover, Leo underscores the school's role as a support system
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It's a place where students can find guidance, not just in academic matters, but navigating
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in the complexities of growing up. The school becomes a safe haven where challenges are met with understanding and support, and
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successes are celebrated as a collective triumph. It mirrors the real-life essence of schools as a community, a place where each member
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plays a pivotal role contributing to an environment that's nurturing, inclusive, and supportive
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This portrayal serves as a reminder to the invaluable role that schools play in shaping
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not just educated individuals, but well-rounded, socially adept members of society. At its core, Leo is much more than a silly comedy
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It offers insightful commentary on the evolving landscape of education in America
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The film advocates for increased adaptability and mindfulness in how schools address modern
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student needs, arguing that innovation and social-emotional learning are keys to enriching
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learning approaches. Sandler, Smigel, and Sado have managed to craft a highly entertaining, yet meaningful
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narrative that also deeply resonates with real educators and students. With humor and heart, the movie successfully encapsulates the essence of today's teaching challenges
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The pressure to support students holistically, the tension between tradition and innovation
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and the complexities posed around over-involvement. It alludes to how schools must continue evolving to enable both academic and personal growth
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for children in an increasingly complicated world. While executed with Sandler's signature absurdist humor, Leo is more than just a series of silly
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jokes and gags. It reveals a thorough understanding of the existing dynamics and flaws in the system
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emphasized rather than exaggerated for comedic effect. For those working in education, the film authors cathartic comedy while opening an accessible
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dialogue in how we can continue adapting this vital institution to serve both students and
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teachers best. That valuable social commentary elevates Leo as a standout. So those are my thoughts
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If you've seen Leo and if you work in education or maybe have your own kids in school, let
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me know what you think. Is there anything else that you think Adam Sandler and the rest of the crew got right
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about education in this film
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