Customer Reviews

Inside Mrs. B.'s Classroom : Courage, Hope, and Learning on Chicago's South Side

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Baldacci was a journalist for the Chicago Sun-Times and served on their editorial board. Among other things, she wrote about the shortcomings of the Chicago Public School system. Then she decided to put her money where her mouth was (quite literally, she took a two-thirds pay cut), signed on for an alternative teacher certification program, and began teaching in an inner-city grade school.

I admit I was skeptical at first. After all, here was someone who'd been telling the schools what to do from her journalist's ivory tower, probably thought she knew it all, and could cut and run back to her well-paying career if teaching went sour. Well, she didn't. She's still teaching.

All those folks who think teachers should be paid according to how test scores improve, who blame the teachers because kids can't read or are uncontrollable, need to read this book. It's been said before, but it needs to be heard.

You try it. Take a class of 36 kids, some of whom are homeless, or live in a home with crack addicts, who don't get enough to eat (except at school). Don't have supplies except what you buy yourself. Have the room be too hot in summer and too cold in winter. Do this in a school where the administration doesn't care about whether kids learn as long as they're quiet. Be downgraded for initiative. Teach to the test. Spend your free time and weekends grading and making lesson plans. Never get what you need until it's too late. Don't forget to learn all the different gang signals, and be sure to duck when there's shooting outside the classroom window. Get paid $24,000. Then talk about it.

It amazes me anyone is still teaching. But then there are folks like Baldacci, and the teacher named Donna who asked her why she took a two-thirds pay cut.

"Because a voice called and I answered," I told her. It was the first time I'd admitted that out loud to anyone outside my family and a few close friends. Although I did not know her well, I felt she would understand. She jerked her head and looked at me in surprise. Then a smile spread across her face.

"My sister," she greeted me, as if meeting me for the first time. "

A friend told me that I should read this book, and my first thought was, "Why? I teach in the inner city. I was a first year teacher. I don't need to READ about it, I live it!" But, being a bookaholic, I bought it anyway.
The short story is that Ms. Baldacci tells it like it is: the story about no soap in the bathrooms is true. I bought soap for my classrooms in the inner city. The story about spending her own money for things and having them stolen? True.
The long story is that everything that Ms. Baldacci talks about has happened to me: The principal who doesn't reward creativity and writes you up for silly things; the principal who sets the calendar for review, and then never follows up.
The only problem is: how do we get the people who NEED to read this book to even look at it? I can think of at least 6 administrators for a start.

As a fellow Chicago Public Schools teacher, I found in this book a reflection of my own experiences as a new teacher. While my first assignment was in a more "successful" school I can still relate to her experiences. The book chronicles the trials and tribulations most new teachers experience in a school system where money is nonexsistent, classes are bursting at the seams, red tape is ever-present, and the public and politicians are expecting you to fail. Although Mrs. Baldacci presents a frightening (but accurate) picture of the lives her students are struggling to survive, her story resonates with the hope and optimism many teachers hold tightly in their souls. It is that hope and optimism that drives inner city teachers like Mrs. Baldacci, myself, and many other teachers I have worked with over the past 12 years in Chicago Public Schools. I am thrilled that someone was able to capture both the hope and the sadness our schools contend with daily. Her stories are neither sugar-coated nor exaggerated. Thank you Mrs. Baldacci for sharing our experiences with the world.

This was by far one of the best books i've read - I absolutely couldn't put it down, which doesn't happen often. I'm currently considering going back to grad school to become a teacher here in Chicago so this book was very enlightening. Whether you're a teacher or not, this book is a great read & has great insight into the inner city schools.

I was looking for books which could help me decide if becoming a teacher was the right path. After reading the challenges that Mrs. B' went through I decided that it will be the right path to take.

More than courage, hope and learning it's to have the guts to make a difference with a teaching career. It's to have the confidence that you can make a difference in a community, a child, a parent but also in you.

Great and easy book to read!!!!

Excellent book, excellent story...amazing experience. Leslie's experiences are incredible. A must read...whether you're a teacher or not. Inside Mrs B's Classroom will have you laughing through your tears. I'm waiting for the made for TV movie!

This is a wonderful book. One of those that when you start reading you can't make yourself stop. Great for anyone in the field of education; serves as a reminder that school can be the most stable environment that some children know.

i am very fortunate to have Mrs. B as my "coach" through the CPS new teacher center. she was a blessing in my classroom this year and is an awesome teacher and mentor.

this book is an honest and insightful look inside the realities of many urban teachers. it's a reminder that teachers and students are human - humans who are dealing with difficult situations that don't always have a right answer. yet, through everything there are shared moments of true joy that makes the experience of being an educator completely worthwhile.

I would highly recommend this book to any and every teacher i know, and to anyone who wants a to understand what happens in a real urban classroom.

also, it's a quick read - i couldn't put it down! thank you mrs. b.!

The book arrived in a timely manner, in excellent shape. It was like-new as promised. I would definitely use this seller again. Thanks.

I had used a variety of books in the past to have my students read as part of their course with me on Foundations of Education.

Inside Mrs. B's Classroom, readers can actually imagine themselves in Mrs. B's class as she describes the typical day of school in Chicago's South Side. The author is not shy or attempts to be be politically correct as she tells us her story. She tells it like it is.

This is a great eye opener and great piece for discussion among students who are thinking of becoming educators. Not to discourage anyone from teaching in the big cities, the author doesn't give you fluff.