Educating for Life: A Spiritual Vision for Every Teacher and Parent [Hardcover]

Thomas H. Groome (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0883473836 | ISBN-13: 978-0883473832 | Publication Date: January 1998 | Edition: 1

One of the most influential educators of our time, Thomas H. Groome proposes a spiritual vision certain to inspire the heart of every teacher and parent. With ecumenical sensitivity, Groome draws upon the core convictions of Catholic Christianity and its rich educational tradition to weave a way of educating that has universal appeal.
He addresses and brings wisdom to the foundational issues that concern al educators regardless of their religious tradition. This philosophy-cum-spirituality is deeply humanizing. A vision of educating for life, it will enhance the work of every teacher and parent, in every school-public and private, in every faith community and family context.
At a time of urgent concern for the quality of education taking place in our schools, Groome offers a bold spiritual vision that gets to the heart of why and how we educate. He insists that it is not money that will save our schools, it's values. Such values include:
* Appreciating the goodness of dignity of all people
* Fostering moral decision-making
* Working for justice and compassion
* Respecting one another and nature
* Drawing the wisdom of our many traditions
* Forming the whole person

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Addresses the very soul of educators; it will inspire every teacher and parent. . . 'Catholic' in the richest sense of the term-'open to all'" -- Theodore M. Hesburgh

"There is growing public demand for educational reform, but most proposals are limited to technical and piecemeal solutions-like how to raise math scores. Surely what is needed is a bold spiritual vision that renews the foundations of why and how we educate. Educating for Life addresses the very sold of educators; it will inspire every teacher and parent." -- Rev. Theodore Hesburgh President Emeritus, University of Notre Dame

"Thomas Groome in his new work continues to do what he has done exceedingly well in the past-to invite and encourage people to enter in dialogue around serious issues." -- Maureen Shaughnessy

From the Author

Current proposals for educational reform typically address the symptoms (i.e., how to raise math scores), and focus on money. And indeed, our nation should ensure that every child has fair access to good education, including educational technology. It's time to reach beyond symptoms to foundations of what, how, and why we teach. It's time to renew a humanizing and holistic vision for American education. And that brings us to the crux of the crisis. The most likely sources from which to draw a humanizing and holistic education are more spiritual than philosophical. At its best, education is a spiritual affair.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 472 pages
• Publisher: Thomas More Association; 1 edition (January 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0883473836
• ISBN-13: 978-0883473832
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,641,361 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Guide for Every Christian Educator, February 29, 2000

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Abelard Spring - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Educating for Life: A Spiritual Vision for Every Teacher and Parent (Hardcover)

In this work, Tom Groome proposes to offer a philosophy for catholic education and a catholic philosophy for education. He does a fine job of offering both and it will be of interest to any Christian educator who seeks to integrate universal principles of Christian faith into his or her spirituality of teaching. It is simple to read, yet offers more than just a simplistic rendering. As one of Tom's students, and as a professional religious educator myself, I heartily recommend it.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring, but longer than it needs to be., April 23, 2005

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PrickliestPear (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Educating for Life: A Spiritual Vision for Every Teacher and Parent (Paperback)

I have a love-hate relationship with this book. On the one hand, it inspired a great deal of thought and has really changed the way I look at religious education, and my own job as a religious educator. On the other hand, Groome can be *very* long-winded. This book could have been half as long without sacrificing very much at all.

But I have to recommend it -- it is one of the best books about religious education I've ever read.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What it truly means to have a Catholic education, September 14, 2002

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Educating for Life: A Spiritual Vision for Every Teacher and Parent (Paperback)

Educating For Life: A Spiritual Vision For Every Teacher And Parent by Thomas Groome (Professor of Pastoral Theology and Religious Education, Boston College), is an informed and informative examination of what it truly means to have a Catholic education. Examining modern spiritual concerns both at home and at the school, Professor Groome offers a wealth of insights to help the reader cope with the latest flood of distractions that modern, hyper-connected life throws at the faithful. Education For Life is a highly recommended, accessibly readable, thoughtfully insightful, and quite personable look at the meaning and future of Christian education.