Doc: The Story Of Dennis Littky And His Fight For A Better School

by Susan Kammeraad-Campbell

The story of an eccentric, charismatic high-school principal whose astounding success at motivating would-be dropout and delinquent students and whose unorthodox methods fueled both a movement to depose him and one fought by students and parents who rallied for this local hero.

Genres: Education

419 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 2005

Reviews

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not only have I read the book, I was living in Winchester, NH when these events took place. I know the people in this book and knew the Dennis Littky. The book was written in 1989 and made into a television movie with Michael Tucker and his wife Jill Eikenberry - who both came to town for the high school graduation and I got to sit with them at the ceremony as I was offering the invocation.

The book is interesting - but it is the educational philosophy of Dennis that is most interesting. I had many conversations with him regarding small size schools (he believes schools are too big and need to be made smaller!) A concept that with finances as they are that is harder to do.

[Lua · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting true story of a progressive educator and his work to turn an underperforming school into a school that the students and community will be proud of. It's not easy!

[Steve Tla · Rating 5 out of 5]

The impatience that oozes from Doc's memos is inspiring. I can't imagine how energized I'd be to work in his school. Whatever it takes to get the 15 students assigned to me to move ahead. wow.