The Modesto Junior College Engagement Project Fall Film and Lecture Series will offer a free showing of the documentary film “American Teacher,” at 7 p.m. on Thursday in Forum 110 on East Campus.

The presentation is free, open to the public and will be followed by a discussion.

“We will provide an argument contextualization of the film along with any questions that the audience may have, “said MJC philosophy professor Bill Anelli.  “The film illustrates the poor working conditions and low salaries that discourage the best and brightest from teaching in the American school system.”

The film profiles the lives of several struggling teachers who are forced to get a second job to make ends meet.

 “Public  school teachers make less than peers, 62 percent hold second jobs to make ends meet, and 46 percent leave the classroom within their first five years due to stress and low salaries,” said MJC English professor Jason Wohlstadter.    “By filling in the stories of these American teachers with facts and policy that characterize our education system, the film gets us to think about possible solutions to our education crisis.”

The MJC Fall Film and Lecture Series is designed to provide students and members of the community with the opportunity to engage in topics of social interest and relevance through the screening of thoughtful movies and by bringing speakers to the campus who have demonstrated knowledge on topics deemed to be of social significance.