[5] Regarding the choice to film in Palestine, director Farah Nabulsi stated she "felt there was a responsibility" to do so, saying "I did contemplate the path of least resistance, like doing it in Jordan or a different location.

"[3] She cited Israeli settlers torching olive trees in a Palestinian village nearby while filming,[6] as well as a military raid on Nablus which occurred just a few kilometres from where the crew had been shooting a few hours earlier.

[7] Critics praised The Teacher for its exploration of life in the occupied West Bank, as well as the performances of Saleh Bakri, Imogen Poots and Muhammad Abed Elrahman.

"[10] Sheri Linden of The Hollywood Reporter described the film as "riveting," "eye-opening," and "an intimate exploration of life in occupied Palestine," praising the actors for "three compelling performances, led by the striking and understated intensity of Saleh Bakri.

"[4] Screen Daily's Tim Grierson commended Nabulsi for "[tackling] a thorny issue with complexity, crafting a drama with several tendrils reaching out in all different directions, illustrating how the Israeli/Palestinian dispute impacts so many in the region.