Philibert, N. (Director). (2002). To be and to have [DVD].

A Review of: To Be and To Have 

By: Halley Church-McHugh

Premise:

George Lopez is a teacher in his last year before retirement. He has been teaching in a one room school house, in a rural France, for fifteen years.       The film documents his last year as a teacher, the relationship he has with each student, and the impact he has made on each pupil.      

      

The school houses students ages four to twelve in one room. Each age group occupies its own corner of their room. 

During his interactions with each pupil, he utilizes questions to help students realize their feelings and understanding of topics. And, will ask questions until a student comes to understand for themselves that particular topic. 

On the last day of school and his teaching career, Mr. Lopez, maintains a composed demeanor until the last student exits the classroom. Only then does he allow a tear to leave his eye.

Applying this film to Youth Development Professionals:The film portrays a role model for other youth development professionals to model themselves after. Mr. Lopez's quiet calm demeanor, patient attitude toward each pupil, honesty about life's hardships, and positive relationships he builds with each youth are all characteristics to develop when working in the Youth Development World. To Be and To Have reflects characteristics of a successful youth worker. However the setting, a rural town in France, does not reflect many traditional youth development programs in urbanized areas that serve at-risk youth. Considering setting and youth background, strategies may be employed differently with respect to their setting.