The NFB is committed to respecting your privacy

We use cookies to ensure that our site works efficiently, as well as for advertising purposes.

If you do not wish to have your information used in this way, you can modify your browser settings before continuing your visit.

Learn more
Skip to content Accessibility

Happiness Is Loving Your Teacher

This short dramatic film describes the harrowing first assignment of a physically disabled substitute teacher confronted with a classroom full of unruly pupils. Tony is particularly hostile, and is given a detention that increases her hostility. One day at home, the teacher receives a call of apology from Tony, asking him when he will be returning to the school.
Your rental expires on
None
You've already purchased this film.
Download it from My purchases.

Details

This short dramatic film describes the harrowing first assignment of a physically disabled substitute teacher confronted with a classroom full of unruly pupils. Tony is particularly hostile, and is given a detention that increases her hostility. One day at home, the teacher receives a call of apology from Tony, asking him when he will be returning to the school.

People with disabilities Education All subjects
  • director
    John N. Smith
  • editing
    John N. Smith
  • producer
    Vladimir Valenta
  • executive producer
    Roman Kroitor
  • screenplay
    Mariette Cook
    John N. Smith
  • photography
    David De Volpi
    Barry Perles
  • sound
    Jacques Drouin
  • sound editing
    Bill Graziadei
  • cast
    Marina Dimakopoulos
    Martin Kevan

Education

Ages 14 to 18

Notes

Critique the approach that the filmmaker has used in representing people with disabilities, teachers, and students. Assume that you are an advisor to the filmmaker; what feedback would you provide to him regarding the storyline in this film? Identify five key elements that are found in teen films. What are some of the archetypical characters that are in films about young adults? Address the distinction between stereotype and archetype.

More educational content

Happiness Is Loving Your Teacher
Purchase options
Licence Information
Already paid to see this film?
Licence Information
Download licence details
Personal & Single-Classroom Use

Who it’s for:

Individuals watching for personal use, and parents or teachers wishing to screen a film for a single class in Canada.

What it allows:

  • Private, personal viewing in Canada and worldwide.
  • Screening the film for a single class in Canada.
  • Downloading and watching offline.

What it does not allow:

  • Screenings or events for multiple classes, school boards, or campus-wide events.
  • Community, public or institutional screenings or events.

Bonus materials are not included with the downloaded film.

Institutional Use

Who it's for:

Organizations, government departments, businesses and non-profits. For other institutions seeking licensing options, please contact info@nfb.ca .

What it allows:

  • Internal screenings for employees, members or patrons.
  • Screenings open to the public on the organization’s premises, with no admission fee and outside the commercial cinema circuit.
Looking to host a one-time public screening instead?

Who it's for:

Public libraries, community groups, NGOs and other organizations wishing to host a one-time public screening in Canada with no admission fee.

How to request a screening:

Complete the “Request to screen an NFB film” form.

For any questions, email communityscreenings@nfb.ca.

Streaming restrictions

Films purchased as downloads (DTO) cannot be hosted on a streaming server without prior authorization.

To request permission to add these films to an institutional or educational streaming server, contact info@nfb.ca.