By Rebecca Gannon KWCH 12 Eyewitness News

5:31 p.m. CDT, October 26, 2010
(WICHITA, Kan.)—

The movie received attention from Oprah, the Sundance Film Festival, and national news outlets. Now, it has the attention of area teachers.

The educators reserved a theater to screen "Waiting for Superman". The documentary focuses on the American education system.

On a school night, more than a hundred educators flocked to the movies at the Warren Theater East, clamored for their tickets, and waited for the curtain to open on the movie.
     
"Waiting for Superman" focuses on public education in major urban areas in the United States. Its title implies students are waiting for a super hero to save them, and their schools.

Waiting for Superman came out a month ago, but just now made it to Wichita. So it's had some time to garner rave reviews -- and some critics.

"There's been controversy around education since the 1600's, so what else is new," said Julie Rhoads with a laugh. She organized the viewing. Originally, she reserved a 90 person theater. Four days later, she revised her reservation to 140. She knew it would be popular with educators.  She also knew it was popular with critics.

Across the country, some argue the movie (shot in Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington DC) places too much blame on teachers unions, and too much promise on charter schools. There are 25 charter schools in Kansas.

"I think the education system certainly needs to change," said Susie Kelley, a WSU education major and future educator. "I think change needs to start from the ground up."

And that's why those who teach future educators also screened the show.  Professors from Wichita State and Rhoads from Cowley College were on hand to see the movie. "Whether I agree or disagree with the movie is really irrelevant," said Rhoads. "It's what's going to come out of the perceptions that are developed from this particular show, and how will those trickle down to the classrooms of my future educators."

Whether the movie makes an impact now, or years from now, it has started a conversation.