Why We Teach
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Overview
These teachers listen closely to their students. They share in their students' struggles and successes. They create a classroom climate that encourages growth, direction, and purpose. They help students develop into thoughtful, engaged citizens. The teachers in this book show us the kinds of learning that really matter, and the kinds of lessons that students can take with them for their entire lives.Synopsis
These teachers listen closely to their students. They share in their students' struggles and successes. They create a classroom climate that encourages growth, direction, and purpose. They help students develop into thoughtful, engaged citizens. The teachers in this book show us the kinds of learning that really matter, and the kinds of lessons that students can take with them for their entire lives.
VOYA
This collection of essays written by teachers from across the country demonstrates exactly why there is hope for our public schools. Nieto, also the editor of What Keeps Teachers Going (Teachers College Press, 2003), believes that these twenty-one educators represent the "discourse of possibility" for a system plagued by daunting problems. These range from growing student diversity to legislative mandates for standards and accountability. These issues seem to have taken away from the original intention of public schools-an equal opportunity for all children. Nieto believes that the gap can be closed by recruiting, encouraging, and retaining teachers like the ones portrayed here. Besides a preface, introduction, and conclusion written by the editor, the middle of the book contains four sections, divided by themes: the path to teaching, how teaching helps teachers understand the world, how teachers help students find their place in the world, and how teaching helps them become more human. A brief explanation introduces the section's theme, and a bio of each teacher is provided before his or her essay. The essays are a wonderful mixture of insight, frustration, passion, struggle, and humor. They demonstrate a sense of mission and empathy for students, two of several qualities identified by Nieto as common to successful teachers. Their words reveal why-in spite of bureaucracy and low pay-they continue to teach. This book should be required reading for college students planning to enter the profession. Teachers already in the classroom, whether for five years or twenty-five, will be encouraged and inspired.