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By Gary Rubinstein - Reluctant Disciplinarian: Advice on Classroom Management from a Softy Who Became (Eventually) a Successful Teacher: 1st (first) Edition
In this funny and insightful book, Gary Rubinstein relives his own truly disastrous first year of teaching. He begins his teaching career armed only with idealism and romantic visions of teaching - and absolutely no classroom management skills. By his fourth year, however, he is named his school's "Teacher of the Year." As Rubinstein details his transformation from incompetent to successful teacher, he shows what works and what doesn't work when managing a classroom.
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First published July 12, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
August 30, 2011
A second edition to a decade-old work, this book is a dichotomy presenting Gary Rubinstein’s transformation from a teaching tyro into an effective educator.
The earlier material drips of his hand-wringing accounts of experimentation in the bifurcated business of good teacher or real teacher. Although he attempts to cloak his examples in humor, the tenor of the incidents boarder on the criminal. If yelling and desk slamming were actual incidences, it is a wonder that Rubenstein wasn’t discharged by the school or sued by the parents.
More personal memoir than policy manual, the presentation offers insights into his trial-and-error teaching maneuvers. Despite numerous lists for does and don’ts, this early effort probably died beneath a pathetic mantra: “Don’t try to apply my advice about advice to my advice.”
Rubenstein’s additional material reflects the sage experience burnished through an intervening career in another field. He found his mojo after years in a dull, unfulfilling occupation in the computer field. Returning to the education field, he has been tempered in his skills to realize effective teaching is not accomplished through lists, rules, and books but rather in solid preparation, consistent individual respect, and openness in flexibility for a teaching moment.
My own classroom experience is on a collegiate level; but I admire those with the talent, patience, and willingness to discipline, excite, and challenge young minds before I face them. I can appreciate Rubenstein’s early struggles toward identity, although I can’t condone his actions. Nevertheless, I’m heartened he was able to discover synergy between real teacher and human educator.
I wouldn’t recommend this book to be on any teacher college’s required reading list, but it does serve for those initiates who might find themselves floundering in their new classrooms. They won’t need to cry on another shoulder; Rubenstein has penned their miseries, yet offers survival hope. Experientia docet.
The earlier material drips of his hand-wringing accounts of experimentation in the bifurcated business of good teacher or real teacher. Although he attempts to cloak his examples in humor, the tenor of the incidents boarder on the criminal. If yelling and desk slamming were actual incidences, it is a wonder that Rubenstein wasn’t discharged by the school or sued by the parents.
More personal memoir than policy manual, the presentation offers insights into his trial-and-error teaching maneuvers. Despite numerous lists for does and don’ts, this early effort probably died beneath a pathetic mantra: “Don’t try to apply my advice about advice to my advice.”
Rubenstein’s additional material reflects the sage experience burnished through an intervening career in another field. He found his mojo after years in a dull, unfulfilling occupation in the computer field. Returning to the education field, he has been tempered in his skills to realize effective teaching is not accomplished through lists, rules, and books but rather in solid preparation, consistent individual respect, and openness in flexibility for a teaching moment.
My own classroom experience is on a collegiate level; but I admire those with the talent, patience, and willingness to discipline, excite, and challenge young minds before I face them. I can appreciate Rubenstein’s early struggles toward identity, although I can’t condone his actions. Nevertheless, I’m heartened he was able to discover synergy between real teacher and human educator.
I wouldn’t recommend this book to be on any teacher college’s required reading list, but it does serve for those initiates who might find themselves floundering in their new classrooms. They won’t need to cry on another shoulder; Rubenstein has penned their miseries, yet offers survival hope. Experientia docet.
June 4, 2011
I'm giving this book five stars because I lived through Gary's first year of teaching with him, and the fact that he came out of it with a robust sense of humor is remarkable.
The author and I were first-year teachers together in a middle school of 2,400 students on the ship channel in the Houston Independent School District in 1991. We were well-meaning, but hopelessly underprepared by a then fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, fledgling organization called Teach for America. While many of the kids were incredible, I still found that first year to be the most excruciating experience of my life. Many was the day when I would have welcomed acute illness over darkening the door of my classroom.
Both of us survived and then later thrived as teachers. Gary started fresh at a high school serving the same student population. I moved to a top-notch academic magnet across town and mostly loved it. Today, I'm working as a youth director of a large church. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger as they say. That's the bottom line of this book. I don't see The Reluctant Disciplinarian so much as a how-to book, but more as something to read after your first year when you want to feel a sense of hope or solidarity. If you are a lateral-entry teacher in your first year, hang in there. It usually does get better.
The author and I were first-year teachers together in a middle school of 2,400 students on the ship channel in the Houston Independent School District in 1991. We were well-meaning, but hopelessly underprepared by a then fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, fledgling organization called Teach for America. While many of the kids were incredible, I still found that first year to be the most excruciating experience of my life. Many was the day when I would have welcomed acute illness over darkening the door of my classroom.
Both of us survived and then later thrived as teachers. Gary started fresh at a high school serving the same student population. I moved to a top-notch academic magnet across town and mostly loved it. Today, I'm working as a youth director of a large church. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger as they say. That's the bottom line of this book. I don't see The Reluctant Disciplinarian so much as a how-to book, but more as something to read after your first year when you want to feel a sense of hope or solidarity. If you are a lateral-entry teacher in your first year, hang in there. It usually does get better.
August 30, 2009
This is a really great book on discipline, especially for those of us who did not go the traditional route for our own teacher certifications. Rubinstein, a former Teach For America corps member, has a wonderful voice and I gobbled up this book in a couple of sittings.
The book is very funny and I feel like he understands (unlike many writers who have not been in the classroom for years or have only ever taught in suburban schools) the students I deal with on a day-to-day basis. He gives a lot of good, basic steps to follow.
My only point of contention is that Rubinstein stops at the basics and does not give a whole lot of practical techniques for his reader. While he gives lots of humorous (and a few very unhumorous) anecdotes about what doesn't work, I was ultimately left hanging thinking "Okay, but what should I do?"
One of the best parts of this book, though, is that Rubinstein does not place any judgment on teachers who have had an unsuccessful first day/week/month/year. Reluctant Disciplinarian sends the message that if you didn't get it right this time, try to do it better next time ... something I think all teachers, new or old, need to remind themselves.
This is a great book for new teachers (or new-ish (I am about to begin my 5th year of teaching)). I would not read this as a sole text on classroom management (I would suggest Conscious Classroom Management as a follow-up text), but it is an excellent way for any reluctant disciplinarian to start thinking about how she or he will manage a classroom.
The book is very funny and I feel like he understands (unlike many writers who have not been in the classroom for years or have only ever taught in suburban schools) the students I deal with on a day-to-day basis. He gives a lot of good, basic steps to follow.
My only point of contention is that Rubinstein stops at the basics and does not give a whole lot of practical techniques for his reader. While he gives lots of humorous (and a few very unhumorous) anecdotes about what doesn't work, I was ultimately left hanging thinking "Okay, but what should I do?"
One of the best parts of this book, though, is that Rubinstein does not place any judgment on teachers who have had an unsuccessful first day/week/month/year. Reluctant Disciplinarian sends the message that if you didn't get it right this time, try to do it better next time ... something I think all teachers, new or old, need to remind themselves.
This is a great book for new teachers (or new-ish (I am about to begin my 5th year of teaching)). I would not read this as a sole text on classroom management (I would suggest Conscious Classroom Management as a follow-up text), but it is an excellent way for any reluctant disciplinarian to start thinking about how she or he will manage a classroom.
July 20, 2021
Even though I am an experienced Elementary teacher and this was geared more toward secondary, I found this book interesting and somewhat relatable. It had good advice for any teacher who deals with or struggles with classroom management. It showed me some areas in which I might improve and confirmed the things I already do.
January 9, 2019
A lot of this book is laugh out loud funny (but I warn, probably only for teachers) and the advice the author gives is good. As a real classroom management how-to, though, I'm not sure how much this book will help, although I am sure it will comfort.
June 12, 2019
I found the book to be a very simple, quick read with a lot of good advice in it. Most teachers can identify with at least one of the issues the author faced in teaching as well as how he overcame it.
May 12, 2014
This was a great book if you are a troubled and struggling first year teacher. It gives some great advice and helps you realize that you are really not alone. He recounts not only his first year but his first couple years and really tries to help you learn through his mistakes. And it is a fairly quick read too (he adds some humor to it as well so you end up getting a good chuckle or two).
I'll let you know though, this isn't a book that is all about advice (and that's not why I bought the book in the first place). Teaching takes a lot of planning and really takes a toll on teachers emotionally and mentally. You really start to believe that "Oh my classes are so bad, I bet no one has classes as bad as mine". Even when other teachers tell you they have been there, you still have doubts. I was really glad to see that a lot of my issues were issues noted in the book (since I'm a grade A softy as well). The book helped me more emotionally than strategically like other books that give advice and that's exactly what I was looking for (I already have plenty of other books to be read that give advice)
So if you are a struggling teacher and are finding your first couple years to be more stress than you bargained for, before you think of quitting, give this book a read. It really helped me :)
I'll let you know though, this isn't a book that is all about advice (and that's not why I bought the book in the first place). Teaching takes a lot of planning and really takes a toll on teachers emotionally and mentally. You really start to believe that "Oh my classes are so bad, I bet no one has classes as bad as mine". Even when other teachers tell you they have been there, you still have doubts. I was really glad to see that a lot of my issues were issues noted in the book (since I'm a grade A softy as well). The book helped me more emotionally than strategically like other books that give advice and that's exactly what I was looking for (I already have plenty of other books to be read that give advice)
So if you are a struggling teacher and are finding your first couple years to be more stress than you bargained for, before you think of quitting, give this book a read. It really helped me :)
July 20, 2017
It's hard to trust an author when he starts off by saying he never even wanted to be a teacher in the first place. This author went through a two month training to be a teacher which does not qualify him to be a teacher.
I didn't like the first half or the last half of the book. The middle parts had good advice, but it was advice that even I, being a third year teacher, know to follow.
He even mentioned college courses about teaching are not practical which he would know nothing about since he never went to college to be a teacher.
I just couldn't hardly get past the fact that he HIT and YELLED in the ear of students. It blows my mind. No matter how bad a student is, why would any person, much less a teacher, do such a thing?
Some of his advice is also contradictory from what he's said earlier. This book is basically just him telling a story about his terrible teaching experiences.
I didn't like the first half or the last half of the book. The middle parts had good advice, but it was advice that even I, being a third year teacher, know to follow.
He even mentioned college courses about teaching are not practical which he would know nothing about since he never went to college to be a teacher.
I just couldn't hardly get past the fact that he HIT and YELLED in the ear of students. It blows my mind. No matter how bad a student is, why would any person, much less a teacher, do such a thing?
Some of his advice is also contradictory from what he's said earlier. This book is basically just him telling a story about his terrible teaching experiences.
May 23, 2018
I’m nearing the end of my 4th year teaching. I often feel that my classroom discipline is an issue - I’m too nice / let too many things slide until things are crazy. As a result I lose not only instructional time, but lose some students that showed real promise. In an effort to do better in the future, I have started my own personal goal to master (or to at least greatly improve) my classroom management. This book is my first step in that direction. What I found most helpful:
1. This book helped me realize that I wasn’t the only one who had made major mistakes. It helped seeing too that someone else was able to learn from similar mistakes.
2. The reflection after 10 years put some of the “original” content into perspective. Again, it reminded me that we are all life long learners and I hope to keep this momentum going as I continue on my mission to master (or at least greatly improve) classroom management!
1. This book helped me realize that I wasn’t the only one who had made major mistakes. It helped seeing too that someone else was able to learn from similar mistakes.
2. The reflection after 10 years put some of the “original” content into perspective. Again, it reminded me that we are all life long learners and I hope to keep this momentum going as I continue on my mission to master (or at least greatly improve) classroom management!
October 27, 2011
i won this book through the giveaway section on goodreads!
i have been teaching for 6 years now and i could relate so much to this book. i loved the different persona descriptions....many i've seen first hand over the years. but my favorite part was when he was comparing teaching in the movies vs. teaching in real life.
there were many parts to the book where i actually laughed out loud. this guy's first year made me feel so badly for him! and i thought his advice for new teachers was good advice and i would offer much of the same.
not only would i recommend this book, i already did.....i loaned it out to one of my fellow colleagues and i hope to pass it around my school!
i have been teaching for 6 years now and i could relate so much to this book. i loved the different persona descriptions....many i've seen first hand over the years. but my favorite part was when he was comparing teaching in the movies vs. teaching in real life.
there were many parts to the book where i actually laughed out loud. this guy's first year made me feel so badly for him! and i thought his advice for new teachers was good advice and i would offer much of the same.
not only would i recommend this book, i already did.....i loaned it out to one of my fellow colleagues and i hope to pass it around my school!
May 4, 2013
I am a struggling new teacher, and I related to SO MUCH of what this book talked about. Only problem? This book was written by a teacher working with secondary students and I'm working with preschoolers. We are in astonishingly similar situations and I loved the humor in the writing, but much of the advice just wasn't applicable. Some of it certainly was. The ideas of being consistent and firm are ones I will be doing a much better job trying to implement. So I highly recommend this book to middle/high school teachers who are struggling, but if anyone has recs for more relevant preschool discipline and classroom management, those would be highly appreciated.
January 26, 2015
Very informative on discipline and a bit of the mental processes behind it--for both students and teacher. His simple, yet deep ideas on what does and doesn't work are really practical. The 2nd part of the book deals with forming a "teacher persona" and exploring teacher personalities and styles--a subject I wish I had a bit more of in college. Awesome stuff! Maybe he could have spoken a bit more on how to do all of this while differentiating instruction...but that wasn't the topic of his text. I would recommend this book to all first year teachers and undergrads. Right along with The First Days of School (Wong), Teach Like a Champion (Lemov), and Pedagogy of the Oppressed (Freire).
July 24, 2008
This book was particularly engaging because the author uses himself for both the miserably bad and the shiningly stellar examples of teacher behavior in the classroom, as well as dollops of goodnatured humor and real-life interactions with students to help illustrate points.
January 2, 2024
While it does appeal directly to me I wouldn't say I left with an ironclad plan to improve classroom management. It did reinforce an idea I hadn't really considered: we have to believe we are a real teacher before our students find out we aren't. ;p
September 22, 2024
This was a quick read. Very validating in some ways, with some good tips on mindset. As many others have noted, there aren’t really any hard and fast, identifiable ideas for classroom management, but there is a lot of perspective.
January 5, 2019
Perfect for any teacher in their first few years and struggling with classroom management. Very "old school" but it works!
March 18, 2020
I thoguht it would be more hands-on in terms of classroom management, but it's a very general set of guidelines for new teachers that's not half-bad.
June 9, 2020
Sadly this book is not a helpful guide but rather a collection of a teacher's reminiscing and advice. A bit dated, although humorous, it didn't really add anything to my practice.
April 12, 2021
Some good ideas and a quick, entertaining read, but nothing super different or original
July 28, 2019
I am going to be starting my seventh year teaching this fall and this is the most accurate teaching book I've ever read! I stumbled upon it as I was looking for other books on education and I am glad I picked it up. Even as a "veteran" teacher (considering how long teachers stay in the profession) I thought this book was helpful in reminding me about the past lessons I learned. It also leads to some insights as to why most discipline programs or PDs don't work as prescribed. I suggest any new teacher read this to prepare or to truly understand that it really does happen to everyone. I laughed a lot at Rubinstein's humor. I highly suggest for any teacher in any season of their career!
November 21, 2007
yeah, finally picked this up even though they gave it to us at the beginning of training. i'm kind of shocked that the fellows program endorses this book, because it goes against a lot of what they taught us (i.e. doing class rules with your class, framing all the rules in the positive). this book says that those things don't work. and hey, he went through teach for america's boot camp, and . . . it's interesting. a very fast read - i don't really get the margin notes - but hey.
he says if he had the choice between going back to his first year teaching or going to boot camp, he would go to boot camp. i can't help but wonder how serious he is.
he says if he had the choice between going back to his first year teaching or going to boot camp, he would go to boot camp. i can't help but wonder how serious he is.
July 18, 2015
I did not like the start of the book all as I felt it kind of bashed teachers and teacher prep programs. It seems that Gary Rubinstein did not have a good prep program but that is not true for all teachers - I felt very prepared when I stepped into my first classroom thanks to an excellent teacher program at Bowling Green State University. Sure I learned a lot of the way too, but I was able to walk into a classroom and establish that I was the teacher and be effective. It seems like he finally learned and became more effective after a few years in the classroom.
November 13, 2011
An interesting book about one man's journey into teaching. The main point of the book is to help new teachers with their classroom management skills. The author does this through anecdotes from his rough beginning years of teaching; I actually laughed out loud in parts. The book is a fast read and the stories are quite interesting. There is a section in the back with classroom management suggestions from effective teachers, but I would've liked even more helpful hints.
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May 24, 2016One of the more realistic books about classroom management and teacher experience. His method, which is the only one I've found to work for me, is to get to know your students and get into a positive relationship with them. Students know who cares about them and who is just going through the motions. They have very finely tuned bull-crap detectors.
I didn't completely finish Mr. Rubenstein's fine book, but far enough to know I liked it and would recommend it to all teachers.
I didn't completely finish Mr. Rubenstein's fine book, but far enough to know I liked it and would recommend it to all teachers.
October 25, 2007
I wish this book had more practical advice, but as a new teacher, I can appreciate his horror stories. I keep thinking of how his first year is definitely way worse than my first year. When things are looking down, that is at least some comfort. Maybe I can win teacher of the year in four years now, too!
March 5, 2008
A cute book about a person who never expected to be a teacher. It had a ton of good ideas about fitting the mold and what it means to be different to the kids. Lots of things that I didn't expect but really enjoyed thinking about. I will make lots of changes about how I handle things in the classroom next year.
December 5, 2011
It was alright, there were some good ideas in it. I was kind of disappointed though, he says at the end that he quit teaching after his 5th year, so clearly the things in the book didn't work out the greatest for him, so why is he giving advice? A lot of the tips were a no-brainer for anyone that has worked with teenagers at all.
December 31, 2012
I read this book primarily for a professional development session I am helping create for this upcoming summer. The ideas included were pretty good, and some of the anecdotes were entertaining, but I feel as though it was so heavy on the personal stories that often times it was difficult to find the actual advice.
May 26, 2008
The author is a TFA teacher who wants us to learn from his mistakes. It is both useful and entertaining. A small drawback is that he it totally dismissive of graduate education programs, which doesn't seem entirely deserved.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews