Bearing Witness: Poetry by Teachers About Teaching (Paperback)

~ Margaret Hatcher (Editor) "I have always been fascinated with transitions..." (more)
Key Phrases: giant clown, Bearing Witness, Maryfrances Wagner, Margaret Hatcher (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The private perspectives of teachers and the art of their special profession are captured in this poetry anthology. These 120 poems from 70 poets are about teaching, learning, students, and the inner lives of educators. Far from cute, sappy, or schmaltzy, these poems reflect the realities and complexities of teachers' work, lives, and relationships with students. The full range of classroom experiences is represented in these poems, running the gamut from witty and inspired to reflective, sympathetic, frustrated, and exhausted.

About the Author

Margaret Hatcher is an associate professor of professional leadership at the Center for Excellence in Education at Northern Arizona University. She lives in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Zephyr Press (December 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569761302
• ISBN-13: 978-1569761304
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #478,472 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for teachers...., December 31, 2001

By	Quiltz "aznurse" (Arizona) - See all my reviews

We are all teachers, just as we are all students. No matter what path we choose, there are those who walk before us as models, examples, mentors. It is that spirit of sharing that has been captured within these pages. Margaret Hatcher, well known Arizona educator, long held the dream of facilitating this volume, to give voice to the thoughts and insights of teachers. She sought to demonstrate the authenticity of the profession, and to honor those men and women who tirelessly share of themselves in the world of the classroom. Contributors to this work include educators across the spectrum of learning and from these pages they speak their truths about their schools, their students, and their lives. I am not a teacher, yet I saw myself in many of the poems, and found the poems touched me deeply as I recalled my own teachers and experiences.

These poems clearly show the depth of caring that teachers possess, caring for and about their students, peers, and families. The role of educator transcends the walls of the classroom and embraces the world. Where would any of us be with our teachers? These poems made me laugh and cry and appreciate even more those who have shared their knowledge and spirit with me, as a student and as a peer.

I wish I could hug each of the contributors and thank them for sharing even more of themselves in these very personal and touching poems. I wish I could thank all of my teachers over time. Thank you, Margaret, for bringing this stunning collection of real words from real people to life and reminding us of the sacredness of sharing.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Exquisite Literary Work, March 4, 2003

By	Jennifer Campbell (McAlpin, FL USA) - See all my reviews

The book "Bearing Witness: Poetry by Teachers About Teaching" edited by Margaret Hatcher is an exquisite literary work that delightfully praises the accomplishments of the underestimated profession of teaching. However, Hatcher focuses on the positive aspects of teaching, but eloquently exposes the negative aspects as well. Hatcher compiles 120 poems written by 70 different K-12, community college, and university educators nationwide and wraps them up in an extraordinary literary package. Although this book would likely have the highest appeal to current educators or those planning to enter the education field, the poems in this book would be an inspiration to anyone. To read this book is to open up your mind to the infinite ways that you can make a difference in another individual's life. X.J. Kennedy once said, "Good writing occurs because a writer passionately desires to say something." There is one poem in this book that perfectly illustrates this quote. Taylor Mali's poem "What Teachers Make" depicts the impact that a teacher can have on someone's life and explains the value of this underestimated profession. Mali ends the poem by saying, "Let me break it down for you, so you know what I say is true: / I make a [. . .] difference! What about you?." All of the poems in this book are equal in quality and bear strong messages as well. In conclusion, I would give this book 4 stars. The overall design and layout are appealing, the poems are enlightening, and I would highly recommend this book.