Teacher Lore Review
I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had
I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had
Danza, T. (2013). I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had: My Year as a Rookie Teacher at Northeast High. Three Rivers Press.
A quick glance into an inner city school through the perspective of a first year teacher. Tony Danza, former boxer and professional actor, returns to his first career path of teacher. This venture began as a reality television series, but after the show was cut, Danza continued his year. This personal account of a first year teacher is a quick glimpse of the ups and downs that every teacher encounters and the emotional journey of learning how to be the most effective teacher possible.
Quality Teacher Lore
This is definitely a light read. Danza gives his account of his year with one class of students. He never carries a full schedule, but does repetitively admit that he has it easy in comparison. He has quite a bit more resources, namely financial, to meet students needs, but again admits that he's at an advantage. The power of this teacher lore comes in that he admits his fears, mistakes, and emotional power struggle that afflicts all teachers. He paints a fairly accurate picture of how schools are run and problems that are faced in inner city schools. Many times the book does feel raw, because he shares the good and the bad.
Thoughts to Ponder -
- "I feel the corners of my eyes filling with teacher again. For some reason, I feel like crying all the time!" p. 25
- "Think about doing more with less." p. 45
- How do you balance your time and energy when dealing with problematic student? Is it ever a "waste of time"?
- "... you can tell the ones who'll be great teachers. They're the ones with the passion. The ones who try things and watch other teachers, and network with teachers even outside their subject areas." p. 75
- "I have no real framework for disciplining my kids. If they wear hoodies or have their earbuds in, the teacher is supposed to make them take them off, but if the students don't listen, the teacher is stuck. The only recourse is to make a thing out of it, involve the dean's office, and probably lose precious class time, and not many teachers are willing to trade their all-important "momentum" for discipline." p 106
- Teaching is a profession that is both a calling and a way of life. p.239
Who Should Read this Book?
Teachers
I think this book would help teachers feel like they have someone to relate to and who understands the struggle of educating in public schools.
Second Career Educators
I love the idea of teacher lore especially for second career educators. It's a way for them to understand the emotional side of teaching while they are learning the theory side.
Education Stakeholders
This book will shed some light on the daily struggles teachers, students, and community members face.
Teach: Tony Danza
Jessica Rogers
Email: jessica@RogersEducationConsulting.com
Website: www.RogersEducationConsulting.com
Location: Texas
Phone: 254.723.0000
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rogerseducationconsulting
Twitter: @LiteraryFusions