On Being a Teacher: The Human Dimension

by Jeffrey A. Kottler, Stanley J. Zehm, Ellen I. Kottler

The authors help preservice, beginning, and veteran teachers discover their own special traits that make them superlative teachers.

Genres: Teaching, Education

192 pages, Hardcover

First published March 2, 1993

About the author

Jeffrey A. Kottler is a professor, psychologist, author, consultant, workshop leader, keynote speaker, and social justice advocate who has spent the past 40 years working throughout the world to promote personal and professional development among professionals and marginalized groups. Jeffrey has worked as a teacher, counselor, therapist, and consultant in a variety of settings including a preschool, primary and secondary school, university, mental health center, crisis center, and corporate settings.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is for K-12 teachers, with a heavy emphasis on elementary school teaching. It was published in 1993 and most of the research it cites is from the late 1980s, so it’s a bit outdated now, although some of the advice is more or less timeless. There’s a lot of filler and the advice is extremely generic; the reader is offered mostly unhelpful platitudes without any concrete actionable steps (e.g., just be caring, compassionate, compelling, and friendly).

Quotes:

“The decision to be or to continue to be a teacher is one with far-reaching consequences. You have committed yourself not only to a life-style in which you must become an expert in your field, but also to one in which you have tremendous incentives to be the most well adjusted, fully functioning, and satisfied human being you can possibly be.” (pg. 6)

“That is the enigma of education: the best job you can do is not nearly enough for what children deserve.
We are not asking you to give all you have or even to do and be your best. These platitudes have lost whatever meaning they once had. Our final message to you is even simpler: Unless you are fully prepared to accept the responsibilities and consequences of what it means to be a teacher, perhaps you should consider a less arduous and demanding career. If you are prepared, however, to make an eyes-wide-open, unconditional, passionate commitment to this demanding and delightful profession, you can be assured of a life that genuinely makes a difference.” (pg. 125)

[Missy Arnoldsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good advice, applicable to anyone who wants to become a teacher or is trying to excel in any career.

[CMT-Michigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall it was an interesting read. It reinforced many of the things I believe in as a teacher. There was an excellent list of "beliefs" on page 43-44 that I typed up for use in my classroom.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's fun trying to read with a 5 year old, a dog, and a 9 week old puppy. Pure CHAOS!!!