What does Simon express by showing the movie "Akeelah and the Bee" to his students?

The choice of showing the movie "Akeelah and the Bee" to students reflects academic freedom, which is the ability of educators to choose how to present material and what resources to use in their teaching. Academic freedom allows teachers to select content that they believe will best engage students, promote critical thinking, and enhance the learning experience. In this case, the film can serve as a tool to discuss themes such as perseverance, the importance of education, and the journey of overcoming challenges through hard work and determination, which can be particularly motivating and inspirational for students.

The other options, while related to educational principles, do not fully capture the spirit of what Simon is practicing by showing the film. Freedom of expression pertains more to students and educators expressing their ideas and thoughts, while content standards relate to specific learning objectives that teachers are expected to meet within a curriculum. Curriculum knowledge refers to the understanding of the subject matter and educational goals, rather than the freedom to select enriching materials like films. Therefore, presenting the movie exemplifies how academic freedom empowers educators to enhance their teaching methods creatively.