Good tips for working in urban education but had a lot of teacher-as-martyrisms. Would be good for students in their education program but not so helpful for a teacher with some experience.
Best thing out of this book is to remember this one question "Would I want my child to be taught by me?" When I ask myself that question it helps put some things into perspective.
This book really reminds teachers that we have the "power to create dreams or break them, to build up a child or destroy them." It made me think about how we need to interact with kids on a daily basis. I had the opportunity to hear Stephen Peters speak. If you ever have the chance to hear him he is a wonderful motivational speaker!
Quick read. I enjoyed the first half of the book where the author shared student perspectives on school/teachers/administration. The second half of the book reminded me a lot of Love & Logic (which I love) but it wasn’t new information.
A few points that stood out:
1) “Do you teach each of your students as if he/she was your own biological child?”
2) “The best teachers influence their students more in their personal, individual contacts with them than in strict classroom situations.”
3) “Everything hinges on relationships.”
4) “My teacher thought I was smart, smarter than I thought I was, so I ROSE to her expectations. A simple “you’re so smart” goes a long way.”
this book gives educators a lot to think about when looking at the individuals sitting in their classrooms. You have to dig down and get to know the being to effectively teach. Peters gives you case studies to here you see all the elements that affect your ability to reach students.
A short read with a strong message about the role teachers play in supporting students. If every teacher spent a few minutes getting to know the students in front of them, the outcomes for those students would change for the better.
Do you know enough about me to teach me was a motivational little book. It had some useful tips, but I feel like it was missing "meat". He made it sound as if one evening chaperoning the school dance was a magic pill that would make writing referrals obsolete. It is not as simple as that.