Every new school years brings with it new challenges and responsibilities. Teachers need to harness their creativity and create opportunities for their students to be successful. At the beginning of each new school year, some school districts bring in motivational speakers to help energize the staff and create enthusiasm for the year. Other districts show inspirational films to explore all of the possibilities that lie ahead and lay out off of the possibilities. In the event that your school does not provide any of these opportunities, there are any number of books, several recently published, to demonstrate the challenge and hope for success, even in the worst of academic environments.
“Confessions of as Bad Teacher: The Shocking Truth from the
Front Lines of American Public Education” by John Owens. The author, a former publishing
executive, tries his hand a teaching in a high school in the South Bronx.
Readers can follow his path and insights as to what might be need for school reform.
For a more global view, take a look at” The Smartest Kids in
the World and How They got That Way" by Amanda Ripley. The author takes a
look at the education process in other countries and why the US is falling
behind.
Some of my perennial favorites are a little older but their messages
are just as valid.
“Teacher Man, A Memoir,” by Frank McCort , McCort, an award winning
author and 30 year veteran teacher shares his experiences- his successes and failures-
teaching in New York City.
Finally, New York Times writer Abby Goodnough, follows a
first year elementary teacher around in "Ms. Moffett’s First Year." This is a sobering tale of public school realities.
In between preparing lesson plans and tending to your own personal
and family needs, take some time to grab a book. Have a great school year!
As always, please feel free to add to the dialogue and recommend
a book of your choice to share.
C.2013.J. Margolis
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