Pat K. reviewed on 5/29/2010 + 20 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

The genre of inspirational books for teachers has given a lot to teachers who can relax and be restored by sharing and savoring other teachers' struggles and triumphs. This book can serve that purpose. It isn't particularly well written, and the author includes a larger than usual dose of self-promotion, still, some of its content may be helpful and its mood is largely upbeat. Sadly, if you think about the overall message you may notice as I did that his focus is largely on behavior rather than on learning. He uses behaviorism, and doesn't seem to be interested in the fact that students can develop autonomy and good judgment, that their quality of life in the classroom is more important than the teacher's. He illustrates the inevitability of "mistakes" with a story of his own exceedingly bad judgement and vindictive behaviors that he roped his students into supporting. Hm.

If you would like to read an inpirational teacher book by an author who supports development of _character_ rather than of obedience, and displays humility in the service of the students he loves I'd recommend either Esquith's "There are No Shortcuts" or "Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire."

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