Teacher of the Year :400 Quotes of Insight, Inspiration, and Motivation from America's Greatest Teachers [Hardcover]

Frank Sennett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2003

In six years of editing the education digest Curriculum Review, author Frank Sennett learned three things about quote books for teachers: They are plentiful, popular--and incredibly repetitive. Each drains the same reservoir of great thoughts and pithy observations offered by the immortal likes of Maria Montessori, JFK, Mark Twain, and the full range of Greek philosophers. Repackage these quotations under new titles, it seems, and you've got another year's worth of perfect gifts for the teachers in your life. Teacher of the Year taps into that evergreen market with a different type of gift book: one that mines a previously unexplored cache of quotations on education, all tied into a fresh, appealing hook. The book features wisdom from educators named Teacher of the Year by their school, district, state, or a national organization. Gathered together for the first time, these insights will help even the most jaded instructor reconnect with the joy of teaching. The quotes in Teacher of the Year strike a nice balance between the profound/philosophical and the lighthearted. Regardless of tome, all of the quotes ring true and will resonate with all types of teachers. The quotes are divided into subcategories for pleasant browsing. These include broad topics such as: It's More than a Job...Teaching as a Calling; Parents as Partners; It's All About the Kids; It's a Matter of Principal (and School Board); When the Going Gets Tough...Overcoming Burnout; Teaching for Tomorrow, Today; Class Dismissed!? The Fallacy of Great Hours; and so on. This small-format, hardcover, original along the lines of our other quote books is a natural gift for a teacher at any level, whether for Christmas, a birthday, a promotion, graduation from a teacher training program, etc. The book should sell steadily and backlist well. A Page-a-Day calendar licensing deal would be a natural extension. Finally, as someone who spent 7 years as a classroom teacher, I can attest to the fact that I would've much preferred receiving this encouraging little volume instead of another "World's Greatest Teacher" mug, wooden apple paperweight, or box of peanut brittle at the holidays!

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

A celebration of the educators who teach our children and shape our future

After interviewing National Teacher of the Year Philip Bigler, David Letterman turned to band director Paul Shaffer and said, "Wouldn't it be nice to know that when you went to work every day, you were making a tangible difference in the future of the world?"

United by the desire to help people learn, achieve, and get the best possible start in life, teachers play a crucial role in our society--and not one day should go by without acknowledging these selfless educators. Teacher of the Year honors our nation's true heroes by collecting 365 inspiring quotes from award-winning teachers across the country. This rousing compilation showcases the wit and wisdom of America's top teachers from all fifty states and the District of Columbia, including twenty-one who have earned the title National Teacher of the Year.

Ranging from philanthropic ("I see teaching as a service to humanity, basically. It's always been important for me to put back what I take out.") to humble ("I work in a profession that I feel has been truly blessed. What other profession offers a person an opportunity to touch so many lives?") to pragmatic ("This isn't a job for me. This is life.") to profound ("Without teachers, there would be no other profession.") to downright hysterical ("I feel like Julia Roberts without the money and the dress!") Teacher of the Year is a heartening read for educators of all levels of experience and an inspiration to anyone contemplating a career in this revered profession.

Frank Sennett is an award-winning journalist. His work has appeared in numerous publications including Premier, Maxim, Woman's World, and Sports Illustrated for Kids. He is also the author of Chicago's Best Kept Secrets, London's Best Kept Secrets, and It Takes Two.

"The world will tell you to play it safe, but I say play it all. The world will tell you to make money. I implore you to make friends and to make a difference."
--Christa M. Compton, South Carolina Teacher of the Year

"Don't wish for a unilateral answer to our educational dilemmas. There will never be a single solution that will be a perfect fit for our diverse society. Instead, we should work toward partnerships of families, communities, and educators who enjoy the process of problem solving."
--Elaine Griffin, National Teacher of the Year

"Teachers must be celebrated for moving civilization from ignorance to enlightenment, from apathy to responsibility."
--Sharon M. Draper, National Teacher of the Year

"Teaching is brain surgery without breaking the skin. It should not be entered into lightly nor performed by amateurs."
--Daniel Walker, Alaska Teacher of the Year

About the Author

Frank Sennett has written for Premiere, Self, Maxim, Blender, Spy, P.O.V., Playboy.com, Woman's World, Fictions Writer, Writer's Digest, Caribbean Travel & Life, and Sports Illustrated for Kids, among many other national publications. He has also served as a features editor for MTV1. A feature he wrote for Self is being adapted for an episode of Investigative Reports for A&E. He was a contributing writer for Chicago's Best-Kept Secrets (Passport Books, 1995) and London's Best-Kept Secrets (Passport Books, 1991). Sennet has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Montana, and a journalism degree from Medill School of Journalism (Northwestern University). He spent three years hosting a show on Montana Public Radio, and four years working on-air for WNUR in Evanston, Illinois. In addition, he has earned two Peter Lisagor Awards for Exemplary Journalism from the Chicago Headline Club.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 248 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies (January 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071409904
• ISBN-13: 978-0071409902
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #580,218 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 Super source of educational quotes, October 27, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Teacher of the Year :400 Quotes of Insight, Inspiration, and Motivation from America's Greatest Teachers (Hardcover)

I am an elementary school administrator who purchased this book as a gift to my school's Teacher of the Year. It is a great resource of educational quotes by Teachers of the Year from all over the United States (mostly national and state winners, but a few system winners as well). The quotes are organized by topic. Imagine my surprise to find numerous quotes from my state's former Teachers of the Year, whom I've personally met. I'm sure you'll find names that are familiar to your area. The quotes constitute a good mixture of the positive and the negative aspects of education. You'll find humorous anecdotes, inspirational passages, and heart-rendering recollections... What I love about this book is. . . .it is not filled with words of education experts or critics, these are the words of teachers - the best of our profession! And overwhelmingly, these teachers LOVE what they do. A great read, a great gift!

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiration for Educators and Noneducators Alike, December 11, 2005

By 

Art Belliveau "Ogre Art" (Phenix City, AL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Teacher of the Year :400 Quotes of Insight, Inspiration, and Motivation from America's Greatest Teachers (Hardcover)

I liked the premise of the book. As a teacher, I found it very inspiring to read the thoughts and words of fellow educators. That these educators have been recognized for their excelence at some level only makes it that much better. I did not agree with every quote, but even tha ones I disagreed with made me think. This is a book for any teacher. And the insights into the way teachers think also make it a great read for any nonteachers, as well.