Customer Reviews

Star Teachers of Children in Poverty

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I heard about this book at a middle school conference, and since the school where I teach has a large percentage of children in poverty, I thought I should read it. And, I was right. Haberman writes from years of experience and research in a straight forward, engaging manner. He divides his book by the qualities that he found in these star teachers and makes it easy to see the model unfolding. Along the way he provides many concrete examples that can be put to use right away. I would also highly recommend this book for any young person considering a career in teaching, regardless of where you plan to teach. The qualities of these star teachers apply to all teachers, not just those who deal with children in poverty.

I bought this book after struggling - with increasing sense of failure and doom - for a few months in a 100% free-lunch classroom in a very low-income area in Chicago.

It is very helpful: it tells me EXACTLY in great and very specific detail - with support from research, interviews, and anecdotes - what I need to be doing to be an effective teacher to these students.

It is also a bit depressing, because it shows me all my failures in great and specific detail, and makes no effort to make me feel ok about these failures. This is not a "you can do it" book - it is not something anyone will ever hand out at professional development, because it is not encouraging, supportive, or friendly. I suspect this is why it is out of print.

The key, though, is that while it may not be a "you can do it" book, it is an "it can be done" book.

As such, it is EXTREMELY helpful.

First, if you are a teacher and you are the type to say "well, if it can be done, I am going to figure out how, and I'm going to do it," then this is what you need.

Second, it is useful for anyone who really wants to know why most teachers fail in these settings - and what they could be doing to succeed. As far as I can tell, this is the only book available that answers these questions honestly, directly, succinctly, and based on research rather than speculation and opinion.

Third, it also functions as a wonderful vindication and defense of the intelligence and limitless potential of children in poverty, and as such, is a potentially powerful tool against bigotry and racism.

Having taught and mentored in inner city Minneapolis for over 30 years, I would recommend this book to anyone who works in an urban school district. Mr. Haberman clearly did see the trends that corporate America has set.Clearly this man has "been there!"

This book helped me to prepare for a job interview for a teaching profession. The book breaks down the type of attitude that I should have if I want to become a "star" teacher and remain a "star" teacher. This book along with daily Biblical scriptures should help me to be successful and a blessing "star" for my students! Amen.

I used this book in my college education course. I liked how it totally changed your perspective of teaching. If you want to know how to be a "star" teacher, I highly recommend reading this book!

I am currently in the process of leaving New York City schools after a mere six months of bureacratic hell; I think if I had read this book, I wouldn't have taken the position.

Please take a look at this book before deciding to take the plunge. It does an extraordinary job of painting an accurate picture of what it's like--and what it means--to be a star teacher of children in poverty, and instead of appealing to theory or meaningless data, it takes real examples of teachers who are actually effective. It is the one part of my emergency certification training that really touched me.

One of the other reviews says that Haberman has mised the mark, I think the other review has mised the mark. Haberman's book really comes down to one thing relationships. Teaching really comes down to one thing, relationships. Teaching is not about "technology". Haberman's book is a great read for anyone in or out of the classroom.

This title is a must for every educator and administrator. The approach and understandings are prerequisite to creating a satisfactory learning environment.

Gave examples, but at times I thought that to become a STAR teacher, you had not only to conquer the world again, but also you have to fight the complete educational system. And yes, the system has some leaks, but also you will find understanding, passionate and caring people who you can trust. And with that you can win the battle, not by yourself but with other teachers, principals, administrative personnel. At the end the child will be the one who wins!!!

Yes,

I agree that Dr. Haberman touches on issues and elements of instructing the urban child, however, his conclusions are generic and lack vision and forward thinking. Because we live in a technological society, we need to consistently move forward and not fall prey to he standard that continues to plague public education, planning without a plan.

It is time to move beyond the cute catch phrases and cliches and understand the nature of the current middle/junior high school student. Today's m/jh student is primarily a visual creature educated by entertainment and bombarded with images they have not yet begun to understand.

The public education system is poorly equipped to properly service today's student. Case in point: Computers in the classroom...schools across America have been wired for ethernet capabilities and schools have failed to bring in professionals to educate the students in the use of said technology. Instead, the students, if not sitting for an hour in keyboarding activities, are busy surfing the internet. Why not take a few thousand dollars and bring in an instructor to teach the students how to build their own computers, thus educating the students on several fronts, incorporating mathematics, science, technology and manufacturing issues. Corporations, businesses and government have long since moved away from the singleskilled employee and are looking for multi-faceted, talented individuals that are fiscally mature and business oriented, it's the way of the world.

Unfortunately, we continue to teach our students as if they have mastered the basics by constantly raising standards before they understand the basics. This trend has been a contirbuting factor in the ever-dropping SAT scores and rising drop-out rates across America.

Dr. Haberman clearly did not see the trends that corporate America set and did not encourage a blending of the outside world to the classroom. An internet connection, cable in the classroom and higher standards does NOT a successful student make. Basics first, learn the technology before using it, and employing individuals who can impart the information to the urban child are the real keys to success.

Overall, the book was entertaining, but missed the mark.