Even after writing lesson plans and grading papers, teachers often find themselves feeling guilty about focusing on themselves instead of their job.

Due to their dedication to their job, they forget that everyone needs time for themselves, too.  In order to truly be at their best, teachers need to give themselves opportunities to relax, enjoy life away from the classroom and find new sources of inspiration to fuel their teaching efforts.

So why not let GraderAide, the powerful online essay grader that evaluates written assignments in mere moments, pave the way for all of these things?

GraderAide provides comprehensive feedback based on focus and purpose, content development, organization, language use, and grammar.  It also saves teachers hours of work per week… and we’ve got the perfect way for you to use that time.

Get Out The Popcorn!

Nothing is as comforting, relaxing and – at times – inspiring as the perfect movie. Whether watching alone or enjoying with others, films allow us to forget about our own frustrations and enjoy stories told with dazzling visuals, superb performances and captivating musical scores.

Some of the greatest movies of all time focus on teaching. Take a great story about an educator’s journey, put a bit of Hollywood magic behind it, and you’ve got yourself a film that can teach and inspire the viewer in theaters or the comfort of their own home.

That being said, why not choose a classic movie about teaching and set up a movie night for yourself? Instead of spending those hours grading essays, let GraderAide handle the workload so you can be free to kick back, relax and find inspiration all at the same time.  Read on for a few can’t-miss suggestions.

“School of Rock”

This 2003 comedy spawned a TV spin-off, a Broadway musical and hundreds of real-life music schools for kids (not to mention Jack Black’s big-screen career).  The antics of a down-on-his-luck Rock N’ Roller who cons his way into a teaching gig, only to turn his class into an underage rock band, doesn’t sound very inspiring… but give it a chance. The movie exhibits surprising heart as Black’s infectious passion for music leads to genuine bonding between him and his class, reminding all of us that great teachers never forget to care about their students beyond their grades and scores.

“Mr. Holland’s Opus”

This 1995 drama launched star Richard Dreyfuss into awards contention for his emotional performance in the title role.  A lifelong musician, Holland’s transition from performer to teacher is challenged by struggles with pride, his son’s deafness, and his own work-life balance. In the end, he finds the recognition he’d been searching for, all while realizing the importance of the blessings he’s had all along.

“Dead Poets Society”

Set in 1959 at the fictional Vermont boarding school known as Welton Academy, this 1989 classic was an early indication that Robin Williams was much more than a comedian. As the school’s new English Teacher John Keating, Williams captivates and educates his students with unorthodox methods and ideas that turn their worlds upside down.  By urging students to “make your lives extraordinary.” Mr. Keating leaves a lasting impression on his class (and all of us), showing how a teacher’s creativity and passion can make a difference in student’s lives.

“Kindergarten Cop”

If you’d rather watch something lighthearted, you’ll be more than satisfied with this action-comedy with surprising sweetness. When hard-nosed undercover cop John  Kimball (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) is forced to go undercover as the world’s most off-brand Kindergarten teacher, he comes to respect the challenges of the gig he’d previously laughed off, all while developing a genuine affection for his newfound bond with his students.  What could be more inspiring than witnessing “The Terminator” fall in love with teaching five-year old's?

“Stand & Deliver”

 Spawning another Academy Award nominee in lead actor Edward James Almos, this 1988 film tells the true story of Jaime Escalante, a math teacher in East Los Angeles in the early 1980’s. Working at James A. Garfield High School, most of Escalante’s students are Hispanics from working-class families who are performing well below their grade level. The film chronicles his amazing journey to change his student’s fortunes and pass the AP Calculus exam by senior year. It’s an in-your-face example of what shared dedication between a teacher and his students can achieve.

Recharge with GraderAide

Giving yourself a “Movie Night” doesn’t just give you a chance to be inspired by stirring stories and heartwarming comedies. It also takes your mind off of your own work for a while. It gives you a break, something we all need.

The automatic paper checker known as GraderAide is the perfect way to save time scoring assignments while creating a path towards a healthier work-life balance. Instead of being stressed and overworked, you’ll feel energized, inspired and motivated to positively impact your student’s lives from September to the summer.

To learn how GraderAide can give you the time to recharge your batteries without sacrificing scoring quality, visit graderaide.com.