There Are No Shortcuts

When I was going through teacher education classes, we had books like "Summerhill" as our examples of out-of-the-box teaching. I hope today's future teachers are being exposed to Rafe. Is he a "typical" teacher? Not by any stretch of the imagination! Does he have lessons to teach teachers, whether they're just starting out or are grizzled veterans? Absolutely!Rafe's story is inspiring, awe-inspiring, and cautionary. He himself acknowledges that he goes to extremes, that he doesn't advocate his level of fanaticism for every teacher. But he's a real classroom teacher who is writing from his direct experience, not an educational theorist or administrator who is fascinated by the latest educational buzzwords and trends. He writes about what he's found that works, and he writes about attempts that have failed spectacularly. But the one constant through all this is his total dedication to education and his students. Everything he does is for them, and he's not one for moderation.To those who claim he's on an ego trip, that his activities are for his own self-aggrandizement, I've got to ask, "Did you read the same book I did??" He constantly points to the successes that are achieved as the successes of his students, not himself. Time and again, he says that he does not think of himself as an exceptional teacher; he just finds ways to help his students achieve exceptional things. And to the beginning teacher who complained that this was not a "how to" manual: he never claimed it was; in fact, he specifically says that this book is not meant to be that sort of guide. For that, he wrote another book ("Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire") that gives very detailed instructions for some of his activities.I'd wish every teacher and every parent to read Rafe's books. They give hope for what's possible in education.

I read Rafe Esquith's newer book ( Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire: The Methods and Madness Inside Room 56 ) and loved it. So I started reading this book as soon as I could get my hands on it.Having so enjoyed his other book and getting so much practical advice out of it, this book was quite a disappointment. Since writing this book, Mr. Esquith has obviously learned how to sound humble - one of the things I loved about Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire was that he wrote with humility - he was lucky and wanted to share what had happened to work for him in his class. In this book he constantly lists the habits and beliefs of "people who think they're good teachers" and then immediately explains that they are, in fact, not good at all. It can be hard to pick out the kernels of good advice that ARE present in this book when you're feeling that your hard work and sacrifice are being judged and insulted by someone you've never met.Another thing I loved about Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire was that it contained very practical advice that "real" teachers could actually - if with some difficulty - put into use in their classrooms. This book is more theoretical and focuses more on feelings and goals and the journey to becoming a good teacher.I have to say the thing that bothers me the most about this author is that he completely ignores the world of amazing children's literature that exists especially in this country. He may have success reading Steinbeck and Shakespeare with his 5th graders, but the truth is that most teachers will not meet with the same results. There is nothing wrong or shameful about using Mr. Esquith's methods and philosophy with truly high-quality, meaningful children's literature, yet he does not even concede this fact.

Rafe Esquith puts his heart and soul into teaching and helps disadvantaged students to understand that they have to work hard in order to have the same opportunities as those more fortunate than them. In other words, there are no free lunches. The way Rafe goes about this is amazing and we can only wonder at his total commitment to the students. America is lucky to have such a teacher in its school system, not only emancipating his students, but writing about his experiences.This book is a source of great inspiration to us all, all the more so because Rafe tells us about his problems as well as his successes. These are problems with his teaching as well as with administrators, so the reader gets to see him as more human and approachable. This is important, since his effort and achievements seem superhuman at times and the reader can easily feel overwhelmed.The book is very readable and enjoyable. It is an eye-opener and a must-read. Teaching really is a calling.

If every teacher would aspire to be like the author of this book, Rafe Esquith, AND every parent read this book, we'd have no education problem in this country. Maybe that's an oversimplification but the message of the book is on point. Mr Esquith not only points out the issues that are facing many of the children in this country, but also shows how a dedicated teacher or group of educators can overcome those obstacles. The book is not a philosophical argument on what we need in education. Rather, it gives real-life stories and details to illustrate its message, which is invariably easier to read and digest. For everyone who thinks they know what is good for this country, they need to read this book.

Being a teacher is hard work, financially unrewarding, and for the most part unappreciated. The hours are long, the free time short, and at times it makes me wonder why anyone would choose to enter it as a profession.I read about Rafe Esquith, the author of this book, in a newspaper recently, and wanted to find out more about him. This book told me a lot about how he thinks and what his motivations are, as he describes how his expectations of teaching have been changed over the years, and some of the people and situations that have caused these changes. He talks about his frustrations with the beaurocrats that run the schools and how they often don't have the interests of the children as their main concern. But most of all he talks about his love for teaching, and indirectly how he has been able to inspire those around him to such great heights.He's an extraordinary man. His students love him and start lessons at 6.30 in the morning voluntarily. Most of them don't speak English at home because they are all from poor immigrant families. They stay in during breaks and lunchtimes to learn guitar with him, and weekends are spent learning Shakespeare for future productions. The man seems to have no free time of his own at all! But he makes it all sound worth it. He's been given many awards over the years and has an honorary OBE from the Queen, as well as Disney's 'Teacher of the Year' of 1993 (a big deal in the states).The only reservation I have about this book is that it is couched in American terminology (I wasn't sure of the age of 5th- or 6th-graders, for example), and those who are hoping to get an in-depth analysis of his teaching methodolgy are better off looking at this book Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire: The Methods and Madness Inside Room 56 . Parents wanting to apply some of his motivational approaches would do well to read this one Lighting Their Fires: Raising Extraordinary Children in a Mixed-Up, Muddled-Up, Shook-Up World .As an introduction to the man, this book is perfect. If you're a teacher, this book is required reading if you're feeling a bit disillusioned about it all. Everything he says is common sense, but it's so nice to see it written so clearly. There's a wealth of experience within these pages.Highly recommended. 4.5 stars. Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire: The Methods and Madness Inside Room 56Lighting Their Fires: Raising Extraordinary Children in a Mixed-Up, Muddled-Up, Shook-Up World

This is the book of an evening with Rafe down the pub. And that isn't a criticism. Rafe tells it like it is and how he's experienced teaching as a top award winning primary school teacher in a really big Los Angeles school. It's not all wonderful moments of fulfilling teaching. It's not always grateful parents willing you to mould their children into better people. It's hard graft. It's heartbreaking at times. And after you've won almost every award and accolade society can give you - the authorities still want to change what you're doing.This is a book about what Rafe has learnt about the greatest job in the World - teaching primary school childern in a state school - and doing it in a socially difficult area. It isn't a do this do that and here's the check list sort of book. It reads like you've met up with Rafe at the pub after you've had a bad day and he tells you how it is. He says, so pull yourself togther, focus on the children, and raise your game to the best you can do, sod the system, focus on children and what they need rather than what you think they want.Every teacher should read this book. If you don't like it, that probably says more about you than him. Can you spot a description that sounds like you? After all Rafe has won just about all the awards going - so he must be doing something right.Here's Rafe's Bio - Rafe Esquith is an American teacher at Hobart Boulevard Elementary School, the second-largest elementary school in the United States, located in Los Angeles, California. A graduate of UCLA, Esquith began teaching in 1981. His teaching honors include the 1992 Disney National Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award, a Sigma Beta Delta Fellowship from Johns Hopkins University, Oprah Winfrey's $100,000 Use Your Life Award, Parents Magazine's As You Grow Award, National Medal of Arts, and Esquith was made an honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth.Esquith's fifth-grade students consistently score in the top 5% to 10% of the country in standardized tests. Many of Esquith's students voluntarily start class at 6:30 each morning, two hours before the rest of the school's students. Most of his students come from immigrant Central American and Korean families and are learning English as a second language. They volunteer to come early, work through recess and stay as late as 6:00 pm, and also come to class during vacations and holidays.Good CV eh? I thought I could learn from someone like that. I was right. I wish I could make this book mandatory reading for all teachers, not only a music teachers like me.

For all teachers who want to be inspired and who want to become better /excellent /outstanding teachers. A definite 'must read'.

The trials and tribulations of an outstanding teacher in a mediocre system. You will laugh and cry as you realize how unwelcome excellence can be to colleagues and administrators. But Esquith inspires us to do our best in a sometimes unappreciative and unfair world. Bravo!

There are no shortcuts!Thanks Rafe for your work, also thanks to all the other good teachers! I fortunately had some of them.