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John Corcoran
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The Teacher Who Couldn't Read: One Man's Triumph Over Illiteracy Paperback – September 2, 2008

by John Corcoran (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 51 ratings
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John Corcoran's memoir, The Teacher Who Couldn't Read is being offered in a new trade paperback format to coincide with the release of his new book Bridge to Literacy. The Teacher Who Couldn't Read is John's life story of how he struggled through school without the basic skills of how to read or write and went on to become a high school teacher still without these basic skills. John then went on to conquer his inability to read and to become a leading advocate for literacy.
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  1. Print length
    272 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Kaplan Publishing
  4. Publication date
    September 2, 2008
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.7 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1427798303
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1427798305
  8. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

National literacy advocate John Corcoran helped to bring illiteracy out of the shadows with his autobiography, The Teacher Who Couldn’t Read: The True Story of a High School Instructor Who Triumphed over His Illiteracy. His shocking and emotionally moving story—from being a child who was failed by the system, to an angry adolescent, a desperate college student, and finally an emerging adult reader—touched audiences of such national television shows as the Oprah Winfrey Show, 20/20, the Phil Donahue Show, and Larry King Live. His story was also featured in national magazines such as Esquire, Biography, Reader’s Digest, and People.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kaplan Publishing (September 2, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1427798303
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1427798305
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 51 ratings

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John Corcoran

John Corcoran

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
51 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Barbara Gibson
5.0 out of 5 stars The Teacher who couldn't read
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2013
Verified Purchase
True story with heart ache and success. A must read for reading teachers. I relate to it because my Father could not read. It is a painful place to be in a world of written word, when a person cannot read signs, directions, for pleasure, tests, etc. I was amazed at the authors ability to share his life story and where he is now. Admirable.
2 people found this helpful
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Esther
5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2018
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This book is incredible! A must read for anyone in special education!!!!
One person found this helpful
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Barbara E Finney
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read about a literacy hero
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2013
Verified Purchase
If you are a teacher at any grade level, you should read this book to help you understand your struggling readers. This man's story will amaze you. You won't want to put it down.
3 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2015
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Excellent biography, great read!
One person found this helpful
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missy
5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ FOR ALL!
Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2014
Verified Purchase
EVERY parent, teacher, guardian, person should read.
One person found this helpful
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Nora Chahbazi
5.0 out of 5 stars Get this book!
Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2008
This book begs of us to ask ourselves some important questions: Which people in your life are struggling with reading and writing? How would you know? How would you help? Millions of Americans of every age, race, gender, and class are functionally illiterate; how is this affecting you personally? How is society suffering? Why aren't these millions of people being taught to read and write during their years of schooling? (I'll disclose a tidbit here: it is NOT because they are unable to learn to read or are `disabled'). All these questions are addressed in this must read book. It contains a raw, riveting, honest account of one brilliant man's immense suffering as a functional illiterate for 48 years as he clawed his way through school and college, taught high school, and developed his own successful business. It describes how he came to learn to read, and the amazing path his passionate quest has led him down as he has devoted his life to helping the millions who are suffering as he did. As the owner of a reading center, I see the hurt and anguish students of every age experience because they are not able to read. I also see the joy, increased self esteem, and hope they experience as they quickly learn to read and realize they aren't `broken'. Read this book; you'll be glad you did!
8 people found this helpful
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rsjonesco
5.0 out of 5 stars John is One of Many Who Struggle with Illiteracy
Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2012
I admit bias as I work for the John Corcoran Foundation. However, John's story is more common than many realize. 1.2 million students dropped out of high school in 2011. NAEP and PISA literacy scores paint a bleak picture of just how many struggle with reading. John's story will compel you to read more about the issue of illiteracy in America.

Mary Spencer

Dropout facts:[...]
NAEP: [...]
PISA:[...]
2 people found this helpful
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Life is good!
5.0 out of 5 stars The Teacher Who Couldn't Read: One Man's Triumph Over Illiteracy
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2009
This is a very touching story of a man who didn't learn how to read until he was 48 years old and at that, it took 10 more years to become fluent at an adult level. The story is also the cry of children, in the voice of one little boy, who just cannnot get reading in the classroom setting for one reason or another, and yet, they are overlooked and passed on. In their desparation, they often use destructive methods to become somebody in the world. Unlike John Corcoran, who became very successful while hiding his secret, numerous other children live lives devoid of the possibility that could have been theirs if someone had taken responsibility to teach them the code and proved to them that education is what it says it is: the doorway to a successful future.
4 people found this helpful
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