Product Description In 1991, shortly after receiving both the New York State and New York City Teacher of the Year Awards, John Gatto resigned to begin a new career as an education reform advocate. In this collection of 16 essays, Gatto analyzes the problems of American education and suggests solutions for revitalizing the system ? prescriptions that run counter to current trends.
Fellow teacher sees some things differently March 23, 2008 0 out of 2 found this review helpful
I just happened upon this book and another by JTG, "The Underground History..." There are some really good points in both for each of us to consider, but two things spring to mind: 1) So many of the examples come from public schools where kids arrive with so many odds already stacked against them. I have taught for 17 years in similar schools. When I first read that he had gotten fed up and quit, I thought, wow, tell me more! I have been seriously thinking about this. What finally pushed him over the edge? How does he feel about it? Was it the right thing to do? What is he doing now? AND... 2) Quitting after 30 years is called RETIRING. Though this doesn't lessen the impact of his words and thoughts, once I read them, knowing he had quit was what attracted me to read the books in the first place because it's so rare. Teachers hardly ever quit after the first five years. For all the reasons he lists. I thought I'd be reading about someone who left mid-career and what happened to him.
Just some things to point out. You rarely read about a teacher or school in an upper middle class, well-funded public school system. Hmmm. wonder why?
A Different Kind of Teacher December 26, 2007 I wished I would have had Mr. Gatto as a teacher. I wished I would had read this book before sending our son off to public school 35 years ago. I am glad I have read it now, as my grandchildren will be entering school in the next five years. I have purchased two copies so I can share with others this message.
Gatto's Philosophies on Education will make you Think Deeply about Your Own February 21, 2007 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
John Gatto's book is very interesting on many levels. Gatto who was a teacher describes his philosophies of the current education status in broad details. His writings consist of many historical facts, events and figures that have developed the American education system. His ideas and comments may be considered controversial but it will provoke the reader to consider their own reasonings why the current education system may not be seen as successful for students or society.
Gatto's reading is a compilation of his many lectures in public forums or other media venues so facts may not be cited and may seem to be inaccurate and hard to read. Although, it will provoke the reader to further explore the historical facts of American education he mentions. He may seem to be argumentative, negative, and over the top with his ideas but his message of a needed reformation in the education system is clearly stated and somewhat understood. Gatto does not give real concrete solutions but if the reader is someone who is apart of the education system (teacher, priniciple, education law maker) they will give a second thought to making changes in their immediate surroundings after reading this book.
Think, Think, Think February 21, 2007 1 out of 5 found this review helpful
A Different Kind of Teacher is a collection of essays and speeches given by John Taylor Gatto on issues involving education. Mr. Gatto seems very unsatisfied with our current educational system and is very adament about the need for change. This book seems to be about Mr. Gatto's personal struggles with life, the education system, the government, spirituality, and the world. A Different Kind of Teacher challenges one to think about personal values and beliefs and the society that influences them. Although I truly struggled with much of what Mr. Gatto was saying, I believe he had some valid points. As a future teacher, it was difficult to hear someone totally demoralize what I thought would be a great opportunity to make a difference. I felt the book was not the best choice for reading material as it was totally based on Mr. Gatto's opinion and the facts that were stated would take time to research for validity as there are no sources cited. Mr. Gatto also did not seem to offer a clear solution for solving the crisis of American schooling as the title states. Maybe that would have helped.
An axe to grind February 21, 2007 2 out of 12 found this review helpful
At first glance, Gatto's book gives the reader a sense that we should pack up our children and remove them from public schools, but when one truely reads the book, you tend to feel that Gatto has an axe to grind with public school education. Some of his suggestions are interesting, but I found most of his comments, thoughts, and suggestions were not supported in the book. I feel his general tone of the book suggests that we as teachers and parents should instill a sense of defiance in our children. I am curious as to why he stayed in the public school education system for over thirty years if he disliked it so much.
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