David Bell presented the film “Blackboard Jungle” to the Eastern Community to show the positive effects teachers can have on their students.

The film was shown Tuesday night as part of the Teachers Tame the Prairie event.

Teachers Tame the Prairie is an event being hosted by the Booth Library in order to look back on the history of Eastern and its teachers.

According to Bell, a professor in the reference services department of the library, the film “Blackboard Jungle,” which came out in 1955, was chosen because it was an iconic film on the inspiration teachers help create in their students.

“I think what you have to do is get to a student’s humanity, reach them on a personal level,” Bell said.

The film shows just that, a teacher trying to get to know his students and help them.

Jeanne Goble, a library specialist, also attended the showing.

“What do you do to grab a kids interest? How can you make it relevant to them?” Goble said when addressing the problem with getting students to want to learn.

Both Bell and Goble agreed that to get a student to want to learn, you have to address their interests. You have to combine your teachings with what they care about.

“Blackboard Jungle” is the first of a few films to be shown at the Booth Library in celebration of the Teachers Tame the Prairie event.

On October 26 the movie “Stand and Deliver” will be shown followed by “Freedom Writers” on Nov. 2.

Both movies will be shown at 7 p.m. The movies are open to the public.

The Teachers Tame the Prairie event will continue in the library until Dec. 10. Programs for the event can be picked up at any of the booths in the library.

Zachary White can be reached at 581-7942 or ztwhite@eiu.edu.