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Title: There Are No Shortcuts : How an inner-city teacher--winner of the American Teacher Award--inspires hisstudents and challenges us to rethink the way we educate our children by RAFE ESQUITH ISBN: 0-375-42202-1 Publisher: Pantheon Books Pub. Date: 22 April, 2003 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $21.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4 (44 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: An outstanding book!
Comment: As a mother of young children, I found this book to be extremely helpful in terms of understanding the condition of education today, and where I might best extend my efforts at supplementing at home. I think it is a bit of a stretch to expect the average teacher to employ all of his tactics, as they would have little time left for their own families, but certainly there are many good ideas to work with.
I completely agree that the reading programs we find in public schools today are grossly inadequate, and that they take much of the joy out of reading. Unfortunately, for most teachers, if they want to keep their jobs they must follow the scripted lessons. I am not certain what the best answer would be for their situation, but I am happy to work at home to provide the books and instruction necessary to instill a love of reading and literature in my children.
Rating: 4
Summary: Black and White People
Comment: "There Are No Shortcuts" by Rafe Esquith is a book that opens your eyes to the ridiculousness of LAUSD's (Los Angeles Unified School District) bureaucracy. I don't know about the majority of the US's public education system alumns, but the details in the book struck me as painfully, hilariously true (The red tape, self-aggrandizing teachers, the unfairness and the mediocrity in classrooms).
Esquith has a familiar, charismatic, and witty style to his writing, which invites you to stay awhile in his circus-crazy world. It's a fast, fun read, that makes you wish you had such a dedicated teacher when growing up.
However, one thing that readers *must* know before cracking open this books is: "There Are No Shortcuts" is NOT meant as a teaching manual. It's the story of a man, (a man with faults, yes, but a good man, nonetheless) sharing with the world what he has to go through each day to achieve his end goals - the enrichment of his kids' lives. Don't read this book if you're expecting your hand held for your teaching post.
People say that Esquith has geniuses for a class, but growing up in "the Jungle," I don't know whether to laugh or cry. The so-called "Gifted" and GATE programs were, and still, laughable attempts of allocating the "smart" from the "dumb." One thing I know: Don't underestimate the kids. Esquith may do a lot, but kids aren't stupid. In the book, Esquith expects great things from his students, and part of the charm of reading the book is seeing those kids grow - reaching a part of their potential more quickly with Esquith's mentorship.
Like many of the reviewers of the book has noted, no *sane*, *normal* teacher would ever dream of spending so much time and effort into his or her classroom - that's what differentiates Rafe Esquith from the rest of the pack.
Rating: 5
Summary: Work Ethic First
Comment: This is a remarkable call to action. Action meaning the most literal sense of the word. The author writes with so much conviction and passion the book goes quickly. The book is half memoir, half self help/inspirational but even if some passages are somewhat preachy the guy undeniably knows what he is talking about and gives numerous examples from his experiences to prove his points.
I have seen a growth in the expectation of "something for nothing" over the years and this remarkably disciplined teacher demonstrates that entitlement is not the key to success. The key to success aaccording to Esquith is encouragement, effort, commitment and hard work. No excuses. To be an educated, respected person you have to put your all into it and take no prisoners when it comes to accomplishing a goal. Competition can be tough and a kid has to have strong support from role-model adults.
Esquith is an inspiration and he is regarded as strict but never cruel by his students - a remarkable teacher. This book demonstrates that with adult guidance; perserverance and consistency is the best way for students to achieve and his success rate is irrefutable.
He made me believe that if every teen had someone like him in his or her life that reaching exceptional academic and personal goals would be more of a standard in our urban culture.
A great read.
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