"Lions to Lambs" Response

Over the course of two lectures, my educational psychology class has watch the 2007 film Lions to Lambs. Directed by Robert Redford, this movie has three main plots: A professor trying to get his student motivated, a news reporter interviewing a state senator, and two American soldiers fighting in the war in Afghanistan. As the movie unfolds, the viewer realized how these plots are all linked together. 

The two soldiers fighting in Afghanistan, Ernest and Arian, were once students of the professor who was trying to motivate the carefree student. It was the inspiration given from this instructor, Professor Malley, that influenced Ernest and Arian's decision to enlist in the war. Malley was initially appalled when he heard of their decision -- he did not mean for them to go get themselves killed (as, unfortunately, ended up happening). As a teacher he wanted to push his students to their limits, question their motives in life, and inspire them to do what they never thought possible. But he did not realize this would cause two students to go to war.

This brings up the question of when does a teacher get too involved? Is there a limit as to how far you should push your students?

I believe that there is no such thing as "pushing someone too far." Professor Malley did not tell his students to enlist in the war -- he did not even suggest it. If he had done so, he may be more to blame, but even then he was not the one who signed their names on the enrollment page. Ernest and Arian were so excited when they told him they had enlisted, that it was hard for Professor Malley to tell them what an awful idea he thought it was. Whether it was his intention or not, Professor Malley had inspired his students to do something they believed in.

And I feel that is a teacher's number one goal.