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Give or take, that’s roughly how long your local teachers
have to teach. In that time, they have “standards” to
follow, they have (and know that parents have) expectations,
and they must also “give [kids] something useful to
understand and remember.” Inside that ponderously messy
assignment, says Tom Rademacher, many people forget that
school is “unfair” and “unimportant,” and that teaching is
“completely full of humans.”
His book is for the older humans: the talented, passionate
ones who try to mesh with their peers to give kids the best
education they’ll ever get. And it’s for those abrasive
jerks who are detrimental to students. Use it, he says, as a
handbook or a “book-club book for teachers.” Let it serve
as a good reminder, in the first year of teaching “and
probably every year after that… [to] swear to yourself to do
no harm.”
Then, know that that’s a vow you’ll break.
Another vow: don’t get caught up in drama – whether it’s
student-driven or that “of the adults around you.” It’s an
easy trap to fall into, but one you’ll be glad to avoid.
Never yell at students or anyone; although you probably
will, it’s unnecessary. Use compassion in your classroom and
with your fellow teachers, and work hard for those
administrators who show you the same. “Read with your kids,”
to validate their interests and build trust. Never say
“because we’re supposed to”; everybody knows that’s a lame
answer and it won’t work with kids today. Finally, know that
“Teaching is just really hard” and though “You asked for
this… you’re not alone.”
Here’s a book every parent of every school-age child should
read.
Here’s a book every teacher in every school should read.
In both cases, It Won’t Be Easy offers another side
of the education-coin. For parents, this behind-the-scenes
gives you a peek at what may go on in the faculty lounge at
your child’s school. It’s not for the faint of heart;
Rademacher is profane and provocative, but you’ll end up
hoping your child’s teacher is more like him.
Rademacher, however, will resonate most with his fellow
teachers.
He writes of clashing personalities, finding the best
co-workers, and failing the kids. He mentions irritations
and what fixed them, he writes of good ideas and bad, and he
pokes holes in “standards” and new-teacher training. He’s
funny, and he’s eye-opening.
In his introduction, Rademacher says his tales may give
teachers “yet another excuse to drink.” He also gives
parents an understanding of why they might. And that’s why
both will want this book: because It Won’t Be Easy
altogether adds up right. |
