New Movie Shows Life of US Teachers (3/3)

"They want to be entertained all the time and I would tell them, 'look, I love movies, I make them on the side, but you are not here for MTV world.' There is so much media and fluff that it makes it hard for a teacher to try to get science across to them."

Both Mass and Akel also see lack of discipline at home and a lack of parent interest as a problem in many big city public schools.

Teachers who have seen the film have provided the filmmakers with positive feedback and Chris Mass says it is especially gratifying to hear positive comments from beginning teachers who can identify strongly with the film's characters. "I think just to be understood as a new teacher, to watch "Chalk," and say 'They really capture, it does not fix what I deal with day in and day out, but they capture what I face.' Empathy is powerful."

"Chalk" has won several awards on the film festival circuit, has played in theaters throughout the country and is now set to be released internationally on DVD on September 25.