Teacher Identity, Student Identity- Mr. Holland's Opus

This video clip is from the movie "Mr. Holland's Opus".
Back story: Glenn Holland is a musician and composer who takes a teaching job to pay the rent while, in his 'spare time', he can strive to achieve his true goal - compose one memorable piece of music to leave his mark on the world. As Holland discovers 'Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans' and as the years unfold the joy of sharing his contagious passion for music with his students becomes his new definition of success.

In this scene,Gertrude is struggling to the point of abandonment. She has compared her success to others and it has affected her goal. Her role in this is a typical role of students. Although this is specific to music it can represent many children from many different walks of life. She could represent the child who comes from a home that berates and verbally abuses or that of one who feels defined by their community and income. She is a child like so many that needs that support and passion from a mentor, a person who shows her there is another way.
The role of Mr. Holland in this scene, beyond being the music teacher is that role, the supportive role and guidance counselor. He, himself, has struggled to accomplish his goal. This fact gives him some insight on the concept of giving up and struggling by comparing yourself to others. He guides Gertrude to see music as fun and a personal journey where she need not bring in the accomplishments of others. He has her think of her best quality, visualize it has a sunset and then play that sunset.
The lesson in this scene is to look inside yourself in order to find the truth of your potential. To me this lesson of Mr. Holland's is that the pressures or expectations of others is no match for what we can find within. This is a cheesy scene in an otherwise wonderful movie. The lessons in the movie are both for the students and teacher. Mr. Holland learns from his son, his wife and his students. This to me is a reminder that we as teachers are not the only ones teaching. That we are also learning not only from our actions and mistakes but from our peers and students.