One Teacher in Ten: Gay and Lesbian Educators Tell Their Stories [Paperback]

Kevin Jennings (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This is a collection of more than 30 accounts by gay and lesbian teachers from schools and universities across the country. Each narrative recounts its author's experiences either as an openly gay or lesbian teacher or during the period of coming out. Specific school settings, such as the Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, are mentioned. Common themes discussed are student/teacher relationships, teacher/teacher relationships, AIDS, support groups, the process of coming out, and community reactions. This book will be useful for studying the culture of schools at all levels. An appendix contains biographies of the teachers who tell their stories, a list of support groups, and, most importantly, an essay on the legal history and current state of gay and lesbian rights across the country. For most education collections.
Nancy E. Zuwiyya, Binghamton City Sch. Dist., N.Y.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

To ensure that these gay and lesbian teachers' stories would come from a range of communities that differed in tolerance of homosexuality, editor Jennings stressed that respondents to his call for manuscripts did not have to be out. Nevertheless, he points out, few Southerners responded. Most contributors are East and West Coasters. Few midwestern voices are heard, and despite the fact that education is predominantly a woman's profession, mens' perspectives make up more than 60 percent of the book. Moreover, a third of the female contributors use pseudonyms (only one man does), and most contributors of color withdrew as publication approached. Social change, Jennings concludes, has far to go before institutional barriers of regionalism, sexism, and racism fall everywhere. The stories that remain tell of internal and external struggles, small victories, and growth as their authors cope with ignorance, fear, and hostility. The worthy appendixes include an overview of gay, lesbian, and bisexual teachers' rights and a listing of national gay and lesbian teachers' organizations. Whitney Scott

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Alyson Books; 1st edition (September 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555832636
• ISBN-13: 978-1555832636
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #452,993 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Teacher In Ten, February 12, 2000

By 

-A Tampa Bay Area Teacher - See all my reviews

This review is from: One Teacher in Ten: Gay and Lesbian Educators Tell Their Stories (Paperback)

Reading Kevin Jennings' One Teacher In Ten lets gay and lesbian educators know that they are not alone. The stories shared by real teachers - men and women - from all regions of the country, speak to us all. Even non-gay readers can connect with the feelings of these educators who have one (very large) piece of their identities now under public display. As classroom leaders, teachers are asked to be model people. Thus, they often feel a need to disguise elements of their beings which might run contrary to the perceived public norm. Gay and lesbian educators perhaps feel this more strongly than others. Yet part of being leadership models for youth entails being honest and forthright about one's self. Jennings' subjects have taken a stand to be honest, proud citizens who contribute to the building of modern society. They make no apologies for the people they are and thus serve as daring role-models for their students. Reading these stories is to be proud of the many gay and lesbian educators who are not afraid to let students, families, faculty, and administrators know that they are valuable voices delivering quality learning. They teach not only their subject areas, but also the lesson that we are most valued when we value ourselves.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! I'm also one in 10!, November 24, 2001

By 

Rogue Elf (CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: One Teacher in Ten: Gay and Lesbian Educators Tell Their Stories (Paperback)

One Teacher in Ten by Kevin Jennings is a must read for all people involved in education. Where else but in education is homophobia allowed? The stories that are told here ring true to many of us who are still closeted, fearful of losing our careers, our friends and our connection to our students. This is a place where we can read about similar situations to ours and see how our colleagues reacted. I would love to write a story to be added in a sequel. I do wish that Mr. Jennings will write a follow-up because too many of the stories left me wanting more. This book also gave me the courage to "come out" to a couple of my fellow teachers at my school. It felt like a breath of fresh air. Thank you, Kevin Jennings.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GLSEN and This book, April 3, 2002

By 

[e-mail] (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: One Teacher in Ten: Gay and Lesbian Educators Tell Their Stories (Paperback)

I have read it several times, lost it and am about to buy it again. I am a new teacher adn I have found it is not only a wonderful text full of stories to remind us that we aren't alone, but also, a great book to keep in your classroom to remind students not to be so quick to judge. I had the opportunity to meet and talk with Kevin Jennings when I was in grad school. Not only has he done a fantastic job editing this book, but has worked his passion and magic on GLSEN, a resource for ALL educators. Don't even begin to have second thoughts about buying this book, it will be the best choice you make all year!