Film forum waits for Superman | Events

The Saratoga Film Forum will host several screenings and discussions on the film Waiting for Superman.

The event will be held at at 7:30 p.m. on January 6, 7, 8, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 9.  The movie will be aired at the Dee Sarno Theater in the Saratoga Arts Center at 320 Broadway. 

After each screening of this controversial documentary, there will be a four-person panel discussion guided by a moderator. On each panel is a range of educators, teachers from both public and private schools, school administrators, and parents with school-age children.  Admission to the event is $5 for members of the Film Forum, and $7 for non-members.

A blistering critique of public education in the United States, told in part through the experiences of five eager, city-based young schoolchildren hoping to escape failing schools and get into charter schools, Waiting for Superman has created a public relations crisis for teachers unions and unleashed a flood of debate.

On Thursday, Jan. 6, panelists are:  Saratoga Schools District Superintendent Janice White; Saratoga Springs High School social studies teacher and coach, Richard Johns; Maple Avenue Middle School PTSO head, Lisa Muller; and teacher Michael D’Aleo of the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs.  The moderator is Professor Beau Breslin, Assistant Dean of Faculty & Professor of Gov’t, Skidmore College, and parent of a middle schooler.

On Friday, Jan. 7, panelists are: history teacher Dave Patterson of Saratoga Springs High School; Charles Kuenzel, teacher (earth science, astronomy), Saratoga High School; Tony McCann, teacher (English), Shenendahoah High School and teachers union organizer; Barbara Messier, principal, Lake Avenue Elementary School.  Public school parent Jeff Goodell, author (Big Coal), and a contributing editor at Rolling Stone, will moderate.

On Saturday, Jan. 8, panelists are: Kali Nagler, school librarian, Lake Avenue Elementary School and school parent; Catherine Snyder, Associate. Dean and education professor, Graduate Program in Education, Union College, and a former teacher at Niskayuna, Glenville,and  Scotia; John-Michael Caldaro, teacher and administrator, Shenendehowah HS (science); and, Anita Stabrowski, teacher (science), Broadalbin HS.  Professor Sheldon Solomon (Psychology) of Skidmore College will moderate.

On Sunday Jan 9th, panelists are: Mary Hollyer, parent, (SSMS, SSHS), and public school teacher-in-training (math, 7-12); Diane Denny, teacher (health, Middle School) and public librarian;  John Beisler, teacher (science), Center for Talented Youth Program (Johns Hopkins); and Cliff Brosnan, teacher, special ed., BOCES, and union rep, Adirondack League of Teachers, NYSUT. Mary Caroline Powers, Vice-Pres. of Communication and Gov’t Relations, SUNY Empire State College, will moderate.

Reservations for a screening event may be made by phone 518-584-FILM.