The Teacher You Want to Be: Essays about Children, Learning, and Teaching

by Matt Glover (Editor), Ellin Oliver Keene (Editor), Alfie Kohn (Foreword)

This book is about bringing the education we want for our own children to all. It is focused on a set of strongly held beliefs that drive the actions of educators every day. Each chapter of the book is focused on a single belief and invites readers to consider what they can do to help children attend schools based on the true, authentic expressions of their teachers' beliefs. Contributions include essays by many prominent educators including Sir Ken Robinson, Deborah Meier and Thomas Newkirk. Please click on the contents tab below for a list of all 18 contributors. In 2012, a diverse group of American educators made a pilgrimage to Italy to observe instruction at a Reggio Emilia school. Their observations resulted in a desire to articulate a set of belief statements about education. This book is based on those beliefs. With this collection, the authors and editors hope to create a space in the current education conversation for teachers to know that they can teach in a way that is aligned to their beliefs.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 22, 2015

Reviews

[Beth Honeycutt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has some excellent essays about education and teaching.

[emily]

😃

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having been a teacher for 6 years now, I always try to stay in my personal motto of "This year will be better than the last, and next year will be better than this year." This motto has stuck with me for a couple of years because I want to continue to strive to become better than the previous years and serve my kids right. Reading this book gave me new insights on how to care and love my kids who have their own personalities and backgrounds. As the educators in the book wrote, I hope to see the kids in a positive way instead of looking at the ways they are "below average". It's so easy for the mind to think negatively, but this book reminded me of the importance to train my brain to see all my kids in a positive light by seeing what they can do. So inspiring!

[R.A. Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't really know what I was looking for reading this book, but what I found was an interesting collection of essays, research, reflections, and interviews around teaching at a Reggio Emilia school. To be honest, I had no idea what that meant before I started reading. Now, I wish we had schools like this where I live! As a teacher of eight years, I'm still relatively early in my practice, so it was refreshing and inspiring to read a book filled with so much hope for the future of teaching in a world which has been a little disheartening in education recently.

Overall, my favourite aspect of this text were the discussions around staff and student agency, which included practical considerations and concerns. It felt really clear that these were classroom teachers who were sharing their own teaching philosophies and practice. I would recommend this for anyone who wants a positive read about the future of teaching.

This is an honest NetGalley review.

[Piper · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what I was looking for when I started reading this book, but what I found was an interesting collection of essays, research, reflections, and interviews about teaching at a Reggio Emilia school. To be honest, before I started reading, I had no notion what that meant.

Overall, I enjoyed the discussions about staff and student agency, which included practical considerations and concerns. It

[Lisa Gisèle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC, I'm giving you my honest review.

Although I was excited to get into this book over my Thanksgiving weekend, I was left disappointed.

The cover was inviting and the Beliefs alighted with mine. I just found the book itself hard to read. It's a heavy read, with font and spacing that makes my eyes cross.

[kar · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a teacher. when I saw the title I was immediately interested. This is an inspiring, well written book that gave me hope, as it was full of inspiration. I agree with others that this should be a title shared in teacher prep courses. Thank you NetGalley and Heinemann for this copy.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A life-changing collection of essays for educators.

[Gracie Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring book that will ground all teachers, from newbies to the most veteran. A breath of fresh air.

[Annika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Included some good and thought-provoking essays

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, this isn't a book I would normally pick up to read. I saw that Heinemann was doing a book study online and thought I would give it a try. I am so glad I did!! This book has so many great essays that spoke to my heart and reinforced my teaching beliefs. The essays were like medicine for my teaching soul. I highly recommend it!

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Certainly will make you think - some essays spoke loudly to me. They challenged me to turn away from our current focus on judgement, intervention and deficit. They reminded me to look for the joy, optimism, power found in the stories in the classroom. Celebrate the learning that is there.

[Shelley Rice yeater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Book Ever! If you are in education, this is a must read!

[Stevi Quate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent collection of essays -- a must read for every teacher

[Cyndy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this series of essays. Some were spot on, others pushed me to think, and a few just did not apply to my situation.