Drawing from his own remarkable experience as a veteran classroom teacher (still in the classroom), Ron Berger gives us a vision of educational reform that transcends standards, curriculum, and instructional strategies. He argues for a paradigm shift - a schoolwide embrace of an "ethic of excellence." A master carpenter as well as a gifted teacher, Berger is guided by a craftsman's passion for quality, describing what's possible when teachers, students, and parents commit to nothing less than the best. But Berger's not just idealistic, he's realistic - he tells exactly how this can be done, from the blackboard to the blacktop to the school boardroom.
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Editorial Reviews
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“. . . an important book for our time, for teachers, teacher educators, and policymakers.”–Ann Lieberman, Senior Scholar, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
“Stop everything youre doing and take the time to really read this. Not once. Not even twice, but over and over. Make your colleagues read it . . . every legislator and policymaker ought to too, so they can see when and where their favorite, best-designed, top-down mandates may actually hinder this kind of culture of high standards. But, of course, what in the end makes it such a good read is in the details, those precious and well-told stories of what the real stuff looks like.”–Deborah Meier, Coprincipal, Mission Hill School, Boston
“Ron Berger is one of the most remarkable teachers in America today. He sets incredibly high standards in his classes and his students measure up to those standards. Yet Ron Bergers authentic standards bear little resemblance to what passes for standards in todays test-obsessed America. For a reminder of what education can and should be, read this passionate book - and give it to every policymaker whom you know.”–Howard Gardner, Harvard Graduate School of Education
“. . . passionate stories from an inspiring, ever imaginative teacher whose demands on his students are high and those on himself even higher. He writes of teaching as an ethic . . . a way of thinking . . . that is built carefully by hand, a craft that defies "scaling up" in mechanistic ways and that requires powerful, autonomous work close to the students.”–Theodore R. Sizer, Founder, Coalition of Essential Schools
“Stop everything youre doing and take the time to really read this. Not once. Not even twice, but over and over. Make your colleagues read it . . . every legislator and policymaker ought to too, so they can see when and where their favorite, best-designed, top-down mandates may actually hinder this kind of culture of high standards. But, of course, what in the end makes it such a good read is in the details, those precious and well-told stories of what the real stuff looks like.”–
“Ron Berger is one of the most remarkable teachers in America today. He sets incredibly high standards in his classes and his students measure up to those standards. Yet Ron Bergers authentic standards bear little resemblance to what passes for standards in todays test-obsessed America. For a reminder of what education can and should be, read this passionate book - and give it to every policymaker whom you know.”–
“. . . passionate stories from an inspiring, ever imaginative teacher whose demands on his students are high and those on himself even higher. He writes of teaching as an ethic . . . a way of thinking . . . that is built carefully by hand, a craft that defies "scaling up" in mechanistic ways and that requires powerful, autonomous work close to the students.”–
About the Author
Ron Berger has been a public school teacher in western Massachusetts for 25 years. He works with the Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound school network, Harvard Project Zero, and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Ron Berger has put together a way of thinking about standards that surpasses anything I've read up to now.
It made me want to start school and teaching all over again, and to feel sad that none of my own children or grandchildren had him as a teacher. This is one of those rare accounts that you KNOW is true. (I happen to know it based on a visit I made to his chool some years ago.) Order it immediately.--send it to a friend amd colleague.
It made me want to start school and teaching all over again, and to feel sad that none of my own children or grandchildren had him as a teacher. This is one of those rare accounts that you KNOW is true. (I happen to know it based on a visit I made to his chool some years ago.) Order it immediately.--send it to a friend amd colleague.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By A. Sinunu
Format:Paperback
This book is a great practical example of how to focus as a teacher. Ron Berger brings to light the trouble with current educational trends and shows ways students can be naturally engaged. His students feel mature, bright and capable. Read this book, follow Ron's example. I finished it in a day and it has changed my whole approach to teaching.
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
"Teaching is hard," Ron Berger writes in this brilliant, inspiring and practical book of craft wisdom. While his primary audience is educators who focus on building school culture, his ideas for cultivating and maintaining an unwavering work ethic of excellence are gems also for parents, clergy and any one with responsibility for developing the mind and character of a child.
"It is through their own work that their self-esteem will grow," he notes citing numerous vivid examples. Berger writes with clarity, candor and humility. His stories inside and outside the classroom form a compelling narrative in support of his case that all children deserve an education that is this demanding and meaningful.
"It is through their own work that their self-esteem will grow," he notes citing numerous vivid examples. Berger writes with clarity, candor and humility. His stories inside and outside the classroom form a compelling narrative in support of his case that all children deserve an education that is this demanding and meaningful.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best non-research based book on education I have ever read by an...
This book is simply extraordinary. What you have here is not politically correct mumbo-jumbo, nor radical institution bashing. Read more
Published 2 months ago by James
5.0 out of 5 stars
Powerful thoughts on what schooling should be
Berger, a carpenter as well as K-6 teacher and teacher-educator, sets forth his philosophy of education. Read more
Published on March 18, 2011 by Andrew Adelmann
5.0 out of 5 stars
An inspirational read for teachers at all levels and experience
I read this book on a short airplane flight and my ideas for how a classroom should be run changed in that short time. Read more
Published on December 26, 2010 by Megan J. Crownholm
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reform is possible!
For two painful years, I tried to instill the passion for revision in my students. I applied Ron's idea of creating a culture of quality to one aspect of my class: writing. Read more
Published on April 15, 2009 by Tan Huynh
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not very revealing
This book is only partially interesting. While the context is interesting, teaching kids excellence through developing and practicing a craft, I found the multitude of personal... Read more
Published on October 15, 2008 by Christopher J. Scott
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspirational and instructional! Recommended for all educators and...
Amazing read. Gets to the heart of community, educating children, instilling work ethic, pride, and responsibility. Hands on teaching and learning for students and teachers. Read more
Published on July 29, 2007 by K. Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great practical application for teachers
Berger's method consists of allowing students to learn through real-world applications the concepts taught in class. Read more
Published on July 8, 2006 by book lover
5.0 out of 5 stars
An educational inspiriation
This book is an inspiration! Written by a teacher, Berger outlines how his school has created a culture of excellence. Read more
Published on November 17, 2003 by N. Meier
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