I've been a teacher almost as long as Frank McCourt was and I loved this book. Thankfully, I've never experienced the frustration he did in the technical schools that dominated his first two decades. For reasons of pure luck I've spent my time in the Stuyvesants of California's suburbs. From my very first year I have worked with students who make my days worthwhile and interesting. And I work with colleagues I trust and who trust me.
On the other side of the continent, Frank McCourt taught high school English for 30 years in New York City. It seems likely to me that he was always a talented teacher, but for most of his career teaching was his private hell filled with idiot administrators, stupider parents and damaged students. In these early technical schools he was bothered and belittled by his betters: "I was uncomfortable with the bureaucrats, the higher-ups, who had escaped classrooms only to turn and bother the occupants of those classrooms, teachers and students. I never wanted to fill out their forms, follow their guidelines, administer their examinations, tolerate their snooping, adjust myself to their programs and courses of study."
But his biggest mistake, I think, was in taking the teacher training seriously. At NYU he was told to present a consistent image of composure and self-confidence. Teach the curriculum, don't let them into your private life, maintain a distant-discipline. Tellingly, all that was said by some of the worst "teachers" imaginable. Why would anyone take them seriously?
From the start, when McCourt got in classroom trouble, he told the stories of his formerly Irish life and the students listened. In the beginning he thinks these stories, and his other classroom solutions, are mistakes. He even confesses to feeling doomed during his NY teacher's exam. (When trapped then he suggests the students write a suicide note.) But he passes and he gets to experience all of those frustrating years in "trade schools." Eventually he ends up at Stuyvesant High with kids who were prepared to learn what he was prepared to teach. At Stuyvesant his "betters" saw themselves as colleagues and knew enough to trust him to stimulate.
In a way, McCourt's story is the opening scene of Brave New World where the embryo Alphas get clean nutrients and embryos at the bottom of the stairs get nutrients laced with alcohol. In a way, it is the story of Jonathan Kozol's firing after his first year in Boston then his awards for doing the same things at a private school the next. In a way, it is the story of the contemporary crisis in American-national education. But what becomes clear is that knowing more about the problem doesn't point to any easy solutions. (Unless we can begin with honest discussions, new parents, new administrators, fresh teachers, and new buildings.)
Of course, all the talk about school rules and school discipline is important. But in the schools I've been a part of, at Stuyvesant, rules and discipline are just there - neither is focused on, at least not focused on seriously. The "high stakes' tests are given, but they are mostly ignored because the students do so well. (And therefore, by definition, they are not "high stakes.") In the marginal schools, at McKee Vocational and Technical in 1958, the rules, the discipline and, now, the "high stakes" tests are ends in themselves; crosses for new crucifixions; reasons to fire Frank McCourt.
Some reviewers have written that it took three decades for McCourt to figure out how to be an effective teacher. They are wrong. It just took him that long to find a school with administrators able to relax and students willing (and able) to learn what he had to teach.
Apropos of nothing in particular here is my favorite part. In the Prologue, soon-to-be-teacher-McCourt fantasizes about what it will be like when he finally makes it in the classroom.
"Principals and other figures of authority passing in the hallways will hear sounds of excitement from your room....You'll be nominated for awards: Teacher of the Year, Teacher of the Century. You'll be invited to Washington. Eisenhower will shake your hand. Newspapers will ask you, a mere teacher, for your opinion on education. This will be big news: A teacher asked for his opinion on education. Wow. You'll be on television. Television. Imagine: A teacher on television."
Buy the book for yourself and your neighbors and discuss it. And imagine a teacher, a mere teacher, asked for an opinion on education.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Frequently bought together
$12.31
Get it Jan 22 - 23
Only 2 left in stock - order soon.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Similar items that may ship from close to you
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Top reviews from other countries
Ana Pascoe
Great book but the cover was dirty and folded.
Reviewed in Mexico on March 7, 2023
Yvette
McCourts Educational struggles in America.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 17, 2023
freddiefreejazz
once upon a time a teacher...
Reviewed in France on August 29, 2020
