Glennon, L. & Mohler, M.(Eds.)(1999).Those who can ... teach! Celebrating teachers who make a difference. Berkeley, CA:Wildcat Canyon Press.
If you want a light, amusing, inspiring book to read during the Christmas break, this may be it. It hints at goals for teachers, demonstrates the effects of relatedness, demonstrates the effects of instilling interest, and demonstrates the effects of raising self-efficacy, at least. All epitomes of motivation in action.
The book is a collection of essays by individual contributors who describe their experiences with an influential teacher, in elementary school, in high school or in college. I only recognized one name: Angela Davis. You may recognize others.
The essays are grouped into ten chapters by genre of influence. For example, Chapter one: Shining Stars and Inspirations, chapter three: Throw out the Rule Books, chapter nine: Eccentricities and All.
I'll quote the first paragraph of the first article (by Harold Itzkowitz):
"It's a soft, kindly smile that has haunted me for twenty-five years now. It wasn't from from girl with whom I locked eyes across the cliche'd crowded room -- that would be a pleasant memory, or at least a bitter-sweet one. No, the smile that chips at my conscience came from my high-school teacher, Isaak Meyer, after I skewered him in public."
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Terry,
Thank you for the recommendation. I think it is important that we celebrate ourselves and honor our commitment to educating others. It is funny that so much energy is expended tearing down or judging the profession. I bought two other books as a result of all this blogging, so what is one more!!
Mary
Post a Comment