I am making another book review blog. The other day, I randomly picked up a book off of a table at Barnes and Noble and TADA! I found one of the most amazing books I've ever read. Titled, There Are No Shortcuts and written by Rafe Esquith, this book is a short nonfiction book of advice, anecdotes, and "self-reflection" about teaching in America. Esquith writes about his teaching career, most of it spent in inner city LA with underprivileged elementary students.
I think the reason this book struck such a chord with me was because there is more to it than just Esquith's teaching career and advice. Somehow, I found the stories and struggles he shared to have such pertinence to issues faced all over the country.
He talks a lot about mediocrity and how many places in America celebrate it, as though it is something worth celebrating. He talks about media inconsistencies and the way American children behave in public. He talks about so many things...
As with Shantaram, I can't do this book justice. It is a simple manifesto of teaching skills, the stupidity of bureaucracy, and just how amazing children can be when given the belief in them they need.
If you have children, or plan to, I would love it if you read this book.
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