Ted Lasso has many lessons for teachers when viewed through an education lens. This shouldn’t be surprising as the show, which has its season three debut March 15 on Apple TV+, was inspired by an educator. Star and co-creator Jason Sudeikis, who plays the perpetually optimistic and perpetually mustached title character, based Lasso in large part on Donnie Campbell, his former real-world high school basketball coach and math teacher.
I interviewed Campbell in 2021, and it was easy to see why Sudeikis had been so inspired by him. Like the fictional Lasso, Campbell prioritizes human connection, mentorship, and relationships above all else. As an educator, I find the motivational strategies Lasso has shared on screen so far to be helpful and a good reminder of what a true teacher and mentor can do when we’re at our best.
