Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

As a future elementary education teacher, I found this book comforting. I have been coming to terms that parents would not want me to teach their children because I am gay, but this book gives me hope. I have read the stories to my straight roommate who is also a future educator and we have been able to laugh and cry over the stories in this book. This book is not just for gay teachers but for all teachers, it shows the emotional side to being a gay teacher that most of us miss. I loved the story where the student removed the pink triangle off her teacher's car and his response was to ask her not to remove it because he did not care to buy a new one. Each of these teachers have faced homophobia not only in the classroom but also in the school, but they are fighting for their right to teach. I think this also is a good book for students who have ever questioned if their teacher might be gay, I think it teaches students that teachers have to be careful because of the homophobia in this world.

This is a book _all_ educators should read. Some stories are hilarious, others are poignant and touching but all of them tell stories of personal journeys from the educational closet to life in the open and places emphasis on the personal decisions of individual educators. Worth reading for not just educators, but for parents, students, community members and administrators regardless of sexual orientation.

This book is an amazing resource for those teachers who are gay or lesbian. It is also a good read for those who are curious about the struggles us good teachers have to face in terms of disclosure.
So glad I bought this book.
If you want to read an incredibly inspiring book please purchase "One Techer in 10". You wont regret it