Jennifer M. (Kaydence) reviewed Drama High: The Incredible True Story of a Brilliant Teacher, a Struggling Town, and the Magic of Theater on + 380 more book reviews
Summary:
Sokolove is a former student of Lou Volpe, the drama teacher at Harry S. Truman High School. From this inside look, we get biographical looks at several students as they interact through Volpe's last years before retirement. Along with themes of prejudice in every possible version you can think of (including father's calling their son's gay because they are in theater instead of football), Sokolove explores the confidence and success that Volpe encourages and brings out in his students. Sokolove begins to talk about the transition through the years and how Volpe's students have excelled beyond the working class community in which they came. This book gives readers a clear vision of how the arts can also provide students with more than just an experience in drama; it gives students an experience of life, confidence, camaraderie, and the ability to deal with all problems that are thrown their way.
My thoughts:
As a teacher, I love to read about stories of how teachers have changed the lives of so many. Volpe has touched the lives of an entire town. Not only did he provide an outlet for students that struggled to find their own voice and identity, but he also provided a safe place where student's could disclose their highest secrets. Volpe is one of those teachers that the profession hates to lose. He is an inspiration and something that most of us strive to be like. It also does not hide some of the struggle that Volpe has had to go through in justifying his practices. It is clearly easy to see through these narratives that Volpe has been an excellent teacher, but his methods could not be tested. There is no clear way to put a numerical value upon his influence on the community. There is no test that can express the value of arts in education, but books like these can definitely show their importance in the lives and success of students in general.
Sokolove is a former student of Lou Volpe, the drama teacher at Harry S. Truman High School. From this inside look, we get biographical looks at several students as they interact through Volpe's last years before retirement. Along with themes of prejudice in every possible version you can think of (including father's calling their son's gay because they are in theater instead of football), Sokolove explores the confidence and success that Volpe encourages and brings out in his students. Sokolove begins to talk about the transition through the years and how Volpe's students have excelled beyond the working class community in which they came. This book gives readers a clear vision of how the arts can also provide students with more than just an experience in drama; it gives students an experience of life, confidence, camaraderie, and the ability to deal with all problems that are thrown their way.
My thoughts:
As a teacher, I love to read about stories of how teachers have changed the lives of so many. Volpe has touched the lives of an entire town. Not only did he provide an outlet for students that struggled to find their own voice and identity, but he also provided a safe place where student's could disclose their highest secrets. Volpe is one of those teachers that the profession hates to lose. He is an inspiration and something that most of us strive to be like. It also does not hide some of the struggle that Volpe has had to go through in justifying his practices. It is clearly easy to see through these narratives that Volpe has been an excellent teacher, but his methods could not be tested. There is no clear way to put a numerical value upon his influence on the community. There is no test that can express the value of arts in education, but books like these can definitely show their importance in the lives and success of students in general.
