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Fifty Years in the Classroom and What I Learned There
"It is easy for people my age to look on the schools of the past with a sense of nostalgia, seeing a golden age that never really existed. I am not among them. I recognize that the schools of today have much more to offer."
In Fifty Years in the Classroom and What I Learned There, John Barsby paints an honest picture of the schools he has known, and how they evolved over time, starting with his student days in the '50s and early '60s and moving on to his many years as a teacher, first in a northern mining town, then in an inner-city school, and finally in a well known independent school.
Filled with interesting anecdotes and historical details, this personal memoir is for the education lover and history buff, student and aspiring teacher of any subject. Mathematics teachers, in particular, will find much of interest. Barsby shares insights on many issues affecting teachers students cheating, curriculum development, streamed classes, mark inflation, and technology in the classroom, among others. Told with an engaging voice and sense of humour, Fifty Years in the Classroom is sure to delight and entertain readers.
In Fifty Years in the Classroom and What I Learned There, John Barsby paints an honest picture of the schools he has known, and how they evolved over time, starting with his student days in the '50s and early '60s and moving on to his many years as a teacher, first in a northern mining town, then in an inner-city school, and finally in a well known independent school.
Filled with interesting anecdotes and historical details, this personal memoir is for the education lover and history buff, student and aspiring teacher of any subject. Mathematics teachers, in particular, will find much of interest. Barsby shares insights on many issues affecting teachers students cheating, curriculum development, streamed classes, mark inflation, and technology in the classroom, among others. Told with an engaging voice and sense of humour, Fifty Years in the Classroom is sure to delight and entertain readers.
- GenresNonfiction
168 pages, Hardcover
Published July 27, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 17, 2024
John Barsby was my maths teacher at SJR 1984-1988. He passed away in 2023. I was much saddened to hear this as he was such a lovely man and a great teacher. We always had a lot of fun in his class. I think it was in grade eleven where he proposed moving me out of the advanced maths class to an easier paced one. My ego wouldn’t let that happen and I argued passionately to Mr Barsby to let me stay. He was surprised but agreed. I then had to work my butt off as I never found maths easy. I am grateful for the second chance and learned a little humility and the benefit of hard work when something is not a natural talent.
I read this book hoping to get more of a glimpse into one of the humans who set me on a course of later life success. What I discovered was a man who enjoyed students, loved his subject matter, and remained humble and dedicated for so many years. 40 years in the classroom! Yikes.
He will be missed and is remembered fondly.
I read this book hoping to get more of a glimpse into one of the humans who set me on a course of later life success. What I discovered was a man who enjoyed students, loved his subject matter, and remained humble and dedicated for so many years. 40 years in the classroom! Yikes.
He will be missed and is remembered fondly.
November 20, 2025
Niche. Some interesting life & education history on the Canadian prairies.
October 11, 2022
One of the Amazon reviewers described my book like this:
In the intro Barsby says that the book is part memoir, part a look into the schools of the past and how they evolved into the schools of today, part a discussion of current educational issues, and part a collection of stories and anecdotes meant to entertain and amuse. It is all of that! It is a fascinating book to read. He is upbeat and positive about the career of teaching. This would be a feel good book for any young person planning to become a teacher.
I am the author of the book and was delighted with this review. I agree that it would appeal not only to teachers and parents but also to teachers in training.
In the intro Barsby says that the book is part memoir, part a look into the schools of the past and how they evolved into the schools of today, part a discussion of current educational issues, and part a collection of stories and anecdotes meant to entertain and amuse. It is all of that! It is a fascinating book to read. He is upbeat and positive about the career of teaching. This would be a feel good book for any young person planning to become a teacher.
I am the author of the book and was delighted with this review. I agree that it would appeal not only to teachers and parents but also to teachers in training.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews