Inside Mrs. B.'s Classroom: Courage, Hope, and Learning on Chicago's South Side

by Leslie Baldacci

Book Overview

A respected journalist turned-teacher reveals what's really happening in America's schools

In 1999, Chicago Sun-Times veteran Leslie Baldacci left her prestigious, twenty-five year career to teach at a public school in one of Chicago's roughest South Side neighborhoods.

As she later commented, "I thought I knew rough. I thought I had answers. I didn't know jack."

But Baldacci never looked back, and the result is Inside...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0071417354
• ISBN13: 9780071417358
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.63 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.3" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

What teaching is all about

Baldacci was a journalist for the Chicago Sun-Times and served on their editorial board. Among other things, she wrote about the shortcomings of the Chicago Public School system. Then she decided to put her money where her mouth was (quite literally, she took a two-thirds pay cut), signed on for an alternative teacher certification program, and began teaching in an inner-city grade school. I admit I was skeptical at first. After all, here was someone who'd been telling the schools what to do from her journalist's ivory tower, probably thought she knew it all, and could cut and run back to her well-paying career if teaching went sour. Well, she didn't. She's still teaching. All those folks who think teachers should be paid according to how test scores improve, who blame the teachers because kids can't read or are uncontrollable, need to read this book. It's been said before, but it needs to be heard. You try it. Take a class of 36 kids, some of whom are homeless, or live in a home with crack addicts, who don't get enough to eat (except at school). Don't have supplies except what you buy yourself. Have the room be too hot in summer and too cold in winter. Do this in a school where the administration doesn't care about whether kids learn as long as they're quiet. Be downgraded for initiative. Teach to the test. Spend your free time and weekends grading and making lesson plans. Never get what you need until it's too late. Don't forget to learn all the different gang signals, and be sure to duck when there's shooting outside the classroom window. Get paid $24,000. Then talk about it. It amazes me anyone is still teaching. But then there are folks like Baldacci, and the teacher named Donna who asked her why she took a two-thirds pay cut. "Because a voice called and I answered," I told her. It was the first time I'd admitted that out loud to anyone outside my family and a few close friends. Although I did not know her well, I felt she would understand. She jerked her head and looked at me in surprise. Then a smile spread across her face. "My sister," she greeted me, as if meeting me for the first time. "

One of the best books i've read

This was by far one of the best books i've read - I absolutely couldn't put it down, which doesn't happen often. I'm currently considering going back to grad school to become a teacher here in Chicago so this book was very enlightening. Whether you're a teacher or not, this book is a great read & has great insight into the inner city schools.

Inside Mrs B's Classroom

Excellent book, excellent story...amazing experience. Leslie's experiences are incredible. A must read...whether you're a teacher or not. Inside Mrs B's Classroom will have you laughing through your tears. I'm waiting for the made for TV movie!

Telling It Like It Is

A friend told me that I should read this book, and my first thought was, "Why? I teach in the inner city. I was a first year teacher. I don't need to READ about it, I live it!" But, being a bookaholic, I bought it anyway.The short story is that Ms. Baldacci tells it like it is: the story about no soap in the bathrooms is true. I bought soap for my classrooms in the inner city. The story about spending her own money for things and having them stolen? True.The long story is that everything that Ms. Baldacci talks about has happened to me: The principal who doesn't reward creativity and writes you up for silly things; the principal who sets the calendar for review, and then never follows up. The only problem is: how do we get the people who NEED to read this book to even look at it? I can think of at least 6 administrators for a start.

Insightful portrayal of inner city teaching

As a fellow Chicago Public Schools teacher, I found in this book a reflection of my own experiences as a new teacher. While my first assignment was in a more "successful" school I can still relate to her experiences. The book chronicles the trials and tribulations most new teachers experience in a school system where money is nonexsistent, classes are bursting at the seams, red tape is ever-present, and the public and politicians are expecting you to fail. Although Mrs. Baldacci presents a frightening (but accurate) picture of the lives her students are struggling to survive, her story resonates with the hope and optimism many teachers hold tightly in their souls. It is that hope and optimism that drives inner city teachers like Mrs. Baldacci, myself, and many other teachers I have worked with over the past 12 years in Chicago Public Schools. I am thrilled that someone was able to capture both the hope and the sadness our schools contend with daily. Her stories are neither sugar-coated nor exaggerated. Thank you Mrs. Baldacci for sharing our experiences with the world.