For the Love of Teaching: And Other Reasons Teachers Do What They Do [Hardcover]

Ira D. Shull (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 25, 1998

Multicultural perspectives abound in these interview portraits of teachers from every state and setting. Any stereotypes readers may have about teachers will go right out the window as they enjoy these anecdotes that reveal the real reasons teachers teach.Seven themes emerge: life work, connection, change, surprise, adventure, fulfillment, and love. Represented in fifty-four interviews with teachers are all fifty states plus Puerto Rico as a U.S. commonwealth; all grades; urban, suburban, and rural areas; private and public schools; and alternative settings such as military and prison classrooms. The author's questions remain hidden as the teachers, in their own separate voices, reflect on their work. The author notes By listening to the voices of those who would teach us, we come to understand not only what learning means but what living means. For it is through our teachers that we begin to discover who we are as human beings, and what we want to be as a society. The Foreword was written by Eric Oddleifson, a successful businessman who is also active in efforts to improve American schools. He writes, This book describes the type of person we need to attract to the teaching profession, as it gives voice to the enthusiasm, the passion, the commitment that invades his or her being. There can be no finer calling, requiring the clearest demonstration or moral and ethical behavior.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Vanderwyk & Burnham (April 25, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1889242039
• ISBN-13: 978-1889242033
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,131,289 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book I've ever been in..., July 20, 1999

By 

Brian Baute (Harrisburg, NC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: For the Love of Teaching: And Other Reasons Teachers Do What They Do (Hardcover)

While I was teaching, this book gave me energy to continue doing what I loved to do. Now that I am no longer teaching this book reminds me why I taught and reawakens the pain of not being able to continue in the profession. Ira Shull paints a picture of teaching, of education, of life, and he does it through the words of those who really know what it's like. A must-read for any teacher, prospective teacher, or parent. Though I am no longer in the profession, Ira's book keeps reminding me that I'm still a teacher.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fifty Devoted Teachers Tell Their Story, December 18, 2004

By 

Daniel J. Maloney "Daniel J. Maloney" (Saint Paul, MN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: For the Love of Teaching: And Other Reasons Teachers Do What They Do (Hardcover)

When we look for success in education, we can find it in wealthy and poor cities, suburbs and small towns. While theories abound on what's wrong with schools, there is much right as well. When we want to know how a school becomes successful, we need to look no further than the teachers that spend their days with the students in that school. Some would choose to believe that the best schools are found where the most money is spent on them. Some choose to cast blame on large city school systems that they declare disaster zones. However, good schools are found in the midst of all of these places. And so are poor schools. The secret to the places we observe as successful schools are its teachers. There is no magic or panacea of reform in higher standards, testing and whatever tomorrow's reform will be when we drop last year's which has proven to be too complex to actually work.

In a time when legal and bureaucratic changes abound that promise to "save and improve education," For the Love of Teaching is a book that allows over 50 teachers who are committed educators to tell their stories of why they love what they do and why they continue despite the obstacles, the poor pay and the often demoralizing work conditions. They stay for the kids. And undoubtedly these are teachers who succeed. And it is their students who are the winners as a result.

If we hope to improve our nation's educational system, we need to attract and retain excellent committed teachers with high expectations like the one editor Ida Schull interviewed for this book. Their stories are inspiration for those who teach in that they should serve to reaffirm one's choice in becoming an educator. For others, most especially school board members, state education leaders and politicians, a book like For the Love of Teaching should serve as a roadmap to truly improving the state of American Education.

A truly worthwhile book of inspiring stories of teachers devoted to their students! Daniel J. Maloney, Saint Paul, Minnesota

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent portrayal of teaching in America today, January 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: For the Love of Teaching: And Other Reasons Teachers Do What They Do (Hardcover)

This book, while letting the individual subject's voices shine though, provides a thoughtful retrospective on the many reasons why teachers chose their profession.I have never seen another book quite like this; an important work for our times. I highly recommned this book.