Public Teaching: One Kid at a Time

by Penny Kittle

"Penny Kittle is an extraordinary teacher who writes. And because she has taught in classrooms ranging from first grade through high school, these short essay-stories show the full range of what it means to teach today." Don Graves has this to say about Penny Kittle, having seen her at work. He also believes that it is in the shared story, teacher's and student's, that solutions exist in an era that maximizes measurement, that sees scores and standards as the norm. Penny sees way beyond the numbers. She appreciates faces, lives, passions, and very difficult personal struggles. And she responds in her teaching and writing. With this captivating collection of 19 essays, Penny takes us straight from her classroom to our own hearts. Penny wrests from the teacher's life-its trials and triumphs, frustration, fury, and fun-all the emotional data that opens up her mind to good, solid instruction. It also frees her, making her ever-willing to lay herself open to her students. She writes with them, seeks their help, and teaches them by example-showing them exactly what the function of writing is, and how to think, understand, and read differently as writers themselves. Penny's mentor, Donald Murray, interviews her at the end of her book. He asks how, as a mother, wife, and teacher, she found the time to write and what she has learned as a published writing teacher. Read Penny's stories and be reminded of the importance of your work as a teacher. Think of the stories of your own you could tell. Notice how you will observe your students differently. Cheer for their accomplishments, and your own, as you tackle the difficult work of learning together.

Genres: Professional Development, Teaching, Nonfiction, Education

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 30, 2003

About the author

Penny Kittle teaches writers at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire. She is the author of Micro Mentor Texts (2022), 4 Essential Studies &180 Days (with Kelly Gallagher), Book Love (2013), Write Beside Them (2008), The Greatest Catch: a life in teaching (2005), and Public Teaching: one kid at a time (2003); she co-authored Inside Writing (2005) with Donald Graves and edited a collection of Graves' work with Tom Newkirk, Children Want to Write. She presents at writing conferences throughout the United States and Canada and sometimes much farther.

But if you want the real story… she dances and sings along to really loud music in her car; she just ate all of the M&M’s out of her trail mix; and she is the first one to keel over when they do those balancing moves in Pilates.

Reviews

[Donalyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for summer break as a reminder of why we teach and why we matter to our students.

[Shana Karnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book felt so accessible to me as a reader, especially compared to the jaw-dropping brilliance of her other books. Penny, a master teacher, shares her earliest experiences teaching through the ones that cement her as an authority. I loved how vulnerable and humble her voice seemed in the book, even when ending a funny essay with a good takeaway lesson. Loved it!

[Christal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a treasure! Kittle's writing style is thought provoking, uplifting and honest. In each chapter she takes you through her mindset before, during, and after the experience. What I love most is the casual tone of the book; it's like you're having a one on one discussion with her in a coffee shop! I'm very surprised this book isn't more popular; it’s excellent!

[Franki Sibberson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great first read of summer!! These essays remind me what it is to be a teacher and why we stick it out during these tough times. Very genuine and honest about our work with children. Penny Kittle is definitely an inspiration.

[The Reading Countess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short vignettes of teaching life told honestly and with clarity. Kittle's student's lives and her own intertwine beautifully in this quick read.


On the importance of reading closely to plump your own writing...
"We become apprentices to writing every time we read."

[Bug]

Great, inspirational reading, in the spirit of Chicken Soup, but really well written.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book! Not only did I remember why I love teaching, I got a few great lesson ideas. Penny Kittle is down to earth and passionate about teaching. Very inspirational!