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154th out of 230 books
—
199 voters
A Different Kind of Teacher: Solving the Crisis of American Schooling
In 1991, shortly after receiving both the New York State and New York City Teacher of the Year Awards, John Gatto resigned to begin a new career as an education reform advocate. In this collection of 16 essays, Gatto analyzes the problems of American education and suggests solutions for revitalizing the system -- prescriptions that run counter to current trends.
Hardcover, 226 pages
Published
January 15th 2000
by Berkeley Hills Books
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This book makes me never want to send my child to school. Gatto's critique of public education calls for nothing short of a total revamping of our educational system. He chillingly discusses how public ed arose out of a desire to produce ready-made middle managers and factory worker drones for the emerging 19th century industrial economy. He argues that schools with their bell system, short time allotted per subject, poorly written textbooks, emphasis on rote memorization, etc. actually degrade...more
Should be put with Albert Einstein and Ralph Waldo Emerson. What Gatto calls for in all his work -- especially this book -- is a searing (r)evolution of what it means to be educated. These are not his ideas alone, but he articulates them in such a way as to make a case in the highest courts of law.
Dec 21, 2010
William K Lawrence
rated it
1 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
education
Gatto's grouchy collection of essays and speeches is a dreadful downer. This is a sad ending to a Columbia University education and an example of what 30 years in the NYC school system can do to a person. But Gatto is overly pessimistic with no solutions or hope. His only solution seems to be anarchy. Surely, not every NYC school teacher feels this way. If all that one looks for is the negative, all they're going to find is the bad. But it's these bitter horrorific tirades that have made him mil...more
Synopsis
John Gatto (pronounced GATE-oh) is a retired teacher from the New York City Public System. This book consists of essays and speeches he has given concerning the perils of the public education system. This book is not a compilation of ranting; he provides solutions and in a time when many seem only to complain I found it refreshing that someone is actually thinking about how to resolve. After much thought (I finished this book in August ‘07-YIKES) I’ve finally decided, this book deserves...more
John Gatto (pronounced GATE-oh) is a retired teacher from the New York City Public System. This book consists of essays and speeches he has given concerning the perils of the public education system. This book is not a compilation of ranting; he provides solutions and in a time when many seem only to complain I found it refreshing that someone is actually thinking about how to resolve. After much thought (I finished this book in August ‘07-YIKES) I’ve finally decided, this book deserves...more
With school fast approaching, I wanted to read at least one book relevent to my profession, and I picked this one which I purchased at the end of last school year.
John Taylor Gatto was thrice the New York City Teacher of the Year and twice the New York State Teacher of the Year, and he taught in both the best and worst schools in NYC. So, as you might guess, he has some credentials to be discussing the problems of American schools.
In a certain sense, Gatto would say that American schools aren't...more
John Taylor Gatto was thrice the New York City Teacher of the Year and twice the New York State Teacher of the Year, and he taught in both the best and worst schools in NYC. So, as you might guess, he has some credentials to be discussing the problems of American schools.
In a certain sense, Gatto would say that American schools aren't...more
Dec 05, 2008
Rebecca
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
parents and teachers
Recommended to Rebecca by:
my late husband, John Charles Autrey
The longer I had a child in the public schools, the more I agree with Gatto's philosophy about education. The book is a real "eye opener" concerning the history of education and what is truly wrong with government controlled schools. Though his suggestions would be very hard to implement considering our present bureauracracy, Gatto gives definite suggestion for those who would be willing, or desperate? to be on the frontlines of a movement to change our schools.
I have spent countless hours working in classrooms and with school children haunted by a strong, but vague sense that something was seriously, seriously wrong with our educational system. Despite a growing sense of certainty that the system was broken, I could not express my concerns clearly or concretely. John Taylor Gatto does just that.
This book is not perfect. Gatto occasionally comes off as a little extreme - even for me. He offers almost no concrete, practical, large-scale solutions to the...more
This book is not perfect. Gatto occasionally comes off as a little extreme - even for me. He offers almost no concrete, practical, large-scale solutions to the...more
You might think this guy is a crabby teacher......you'd be wrong. He critiques modern schooling in the most honest voice.
Even if you're not a teacher, read it if you've got kids.
My whole philosophy of teaching has changed because of this book
Even if you're not a teacher, read it if you've got kids.
My whole philosophy of teaching has changed because of this book
A very provocative collection of essays from an award-winning NYC teacher. If I wasn't already homeschooling my children, I would have pulled them out of public school immediately after finishing the first chapter.
Lots of essays about his low opinion of public schooling and his high opinion of the ability of parents and children to direct their own education. He has a blind spot about the Puritans, attributing some fatalistic control in compulsory schooling to their influence in history, but I think that the New England soil that produced factory-style teaching sprung more from the rejection of the Puritans' beliefs and embracing Unitarianism (he does address that, too, and not approvingly). This book rem...more
Jul 29, 2011
Linda Sunderland
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
homeschooling
Gatto writes about his experiences as a classroom teacher and how he grew to see modern education as a method of societal control. His attitude and the resulting methods of teaching are inspiring.
I read this a few years ago and liked it. I'm reading it again and I like it even more than I did last time. Gatto's insights on learning and education are spot on.
Wow, shazow, aMAZing! Already knew I agreed with this guy on some school stuff but this went beyond school. Awakens the soul.
Il m'a perdu!
Pas fini le livre
Pas fini le livre
John Taylor Gatto is a smart guy and I love the way he thinks. In fact, he is quite brilliant.
This book reaffirmed my decision to homeschool our four children. Our schools, parents, teachers, students, and the government that runs them all need reform. It was great but repetitive and I found the author's writing style cumbersome to read. I would've given 3.5 stars if we could. I would not have missed the chance to read it...it was still worth it.
For as much as I thought I knew about the public school system and homeschooling, he opened my eyes to so much more. I enjoyed his rendition of the history of public schooling, and was appalled to learn where most of our tax money goes. I can really relate with his educational philosophy that includes service projects, spending quality time with family, and working on self-chosen longer-term projects. He does go off on a tangent sometimes but for the most part, I really enjoyed this book.
Amazing. Anyone who is interested at all in education should read this book. Its clear to see that our system of public schooling is failing and Gatto gives the history of how we arrived where we are and solutions to fix it.
This book feels like a dangerous read because it makes me question my role in schools, but it is not only insightful but so well-written. This book will make you think.
Very good collection of essays, but the book as a whole wasn't quite as good as Gatto's usual fare.
MAY be the reason I became a teacher...
Excellent book!
Oct 12, 2010
Joy
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone concerned about education in the US
This was a great look at the education issues in our country. Gatto writes from many years' experience in the public schools. He does come across as a little bitter or jaded, so some information should be read with a pinch of salt; however, he is spot on with most of his observations. Anyone interested in teaching, sending their children to school or seeing where their taxes are going should read this book--really anyone who "gives a care" about the state of education in our country.
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John Taylor Gatto is an American retired school teacher of 29 years and 8 months and author of several books on education. He is an activist critical of compulsory schooling and of what he characterizes as the hegemonic nature of discourse on education and the education professions.
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Apr 01, 2008 11:00pm