There’s a moment in Richard Donner’s 1978 “Superman” film that changed me forever. Christopher Reeve, with a wink and a smile, catching a bullet meant for Lois Lane. It wasn’t just the spectacle—though as a child, that was certainly enough. It was something more profound that I wouldn’t understand until much later: a promise that someone could catch the bullet for all of us.

The Immigrant’s Son

As someone adopted into a loving family, Superman’s origin story has always resonated with me on a deeply personal level. Kal-El, sent from a dying world, found by the Kents—a child without biological roots to his new home, yet who became its greatest defender.

My own heritage traces back to refugee immigrants who came to this country seeking sanctuary and possibility. Like Superman, they carried with them an old world’s wisdom and courage, then built something new in unfamiliar soil. This parallel isn’t coincidental—Superman’s creators, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, were themselves the children of Jewish immigrants, crafting a hero who embodied the immigrant experience while hiding in plain sight.

Superman passes as American, yet carries within him an otherworldly perspective and strength. He reminds me that our differences—our heritage, our beginnings—aren’t weaknesses to overcome but the very source of our unique contributions to the world.

The Choice of Hope

“They can be a great people, Kal-El, if they wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way.” Jor-El’s words to his son speak to a fundamental choice we all face: hope or cynicism, light or darkness.

As a parent, I’ve made the conscious choice to embrace hope over hate. In a world that can seem increasingly divided and dark, Superman represents the belief that goodness isn’t naive—it’s necessary. The iconic “S” on his chest, which isn’t an S at all but the Kryptonian symbol for hope, reminds us that hope itself is a form of strength.

I remember the “Death of Superman” storyline, where a weakened Pa Kent gives his hope and love to Superman as he recuperates. That moment captured something essential about parenthood—that we pour our hopes into our children, that our love can be a kind of resurrection.

Passing the Cape

Now, as both a parent and teacher, I find myself sharing these stories with my daughters and students. When we watch those old films or read those classic comics together, I’m not just sharing entertainment—I’m passing along a value system.

“You will give the people of Earth an ideal to strive towards,” Jor-El told his son. And that’s what Superman has been for me: not just a superhero, but an ideal. When my daughters see Superman lift impossible weights, they’re learning that strength comes in many forms. When they see him choose restraint over vengeance, they’re learning that real power is measured by how we use it, not simply by what we can do.

In my classroom, Superman stories become parables about standing up for truth and justice, about using your gifts to help others, about the responsibility that comes with privilege. These aren’t just comic book lessons—they’re life lessons.

The Hero in Everyone

What makes Superman truly special isn’t his alien powers—it’s his fundamentally human heart. Raised by Kansas farmers, he learned values that any of us could embody: kindness, integrity, and selfless service.

Superman reminds us that heroism isn’t about catching bullets or leaping tall buildings—it’s about standing up when it would be easier to remain seated, speaking truth when silence would be safer, and extending a hand when others pull away.

As an adopted child, my heritage is a combination of refugee descendants; as a parent choosing hope; as a teacher trying to inspire the next generation, Superman isn’t just a character I admire—he’s a reminder of who I’m trying to be.

In a world that often feels like it needs saving, Superman whispers a powerful truth: the hero Earth needs might just be any one of us, if we have the courage to stand up and fly.

This is part of my Comics in the Classroom series where I look at the importance of the comic book industry and how to use them as resources in the classroom. To read more check out my other posts. (Link)

This post is one of my Diversity in the Classroom readings. Their main purpose is to share the stories and history from people of diverse backgrounds. To Read More follow this Link.