Scratch Where It Itches: Confessions of a Public School Teacher

By Tony Rotondo

Book Overview

Anthony Augustus Angelo's earliest childhood memories revolve around his Italian American family who did everything the Catholic Church and his grandfather dictated, and continues through his unlikely metamorphosis into a public school English teacher. He speaks frankly about his own pitiful education, and the education of his students in the forty years he wielded the chalk.

For Triple A, Ant'ny, or, as the kids called him, Tony, the broken English that filled his adolescent years came as an inspiration from his mother and condemnation from his totalitarian and often drunk grandfather. Loosely based on the life of author Tony Rotondo, Scratch Where It Itches: Confessions of a Public School Teacher, shares his memories of life in the 1940s and 1950s in a small industrial town in southeastern Pennsylvania. Mr. Angelo reminisces about his education in Catholic and public schools where his cheeks-facial and gluteal-bear the brunt of mean-spirited nuns during the good ol'days filled with poverty, pasta, and penance.

Today, Mr. Angelo, a husband and father of three, is as hapless in the home as he is outstanding in the classroom. But his real itch is the state of education, both public and parochial. He thinks it stinks, and he wants you to know why.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 059540619X
• ISBN13: 9780595406197
• Release Date: January 1
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 0.71 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Like Going Back Home

Warm and conversational, Tony Rotondo's writing style immediately captures the reader's interest and attention. He spins and inter-weaves tales of his childhood and his life as a teacher, husband, and father into a lush tapestry of observations and experiences. I had the privilege of sitting in Mr. Rotodo's (or Uncle Tony's as I liked to call him) classes twice, once for 11th Grade English and once for Public Speaking. It may sound trite--and I'd probably get a hand-written comment in the margin of my paper about it (which I'd counter in the next paper with an abundance of flattery)--but Tony's class is where I came to understand myself. There was no where else in high school that I felt more at home than I did in his room. And reading this book made me feel like I was there again. Thanks for the great read and all the great memories Uncle Tony!

A Gem

Tony Rotondo "exposes" the obvious 'elephant in the room' of formalized education. His expose is painfully funny because it discusses the truths of a system better known as "schooling." This book has appeal for anyone who attended or taught in a public school. If a reader doesn't laugh out loud when reading Rotondo's memoir, then maybe he should consider if his/her 'name was changed to protect anonymity.' For me, the bottom line truth is that I received a wonderful education DESPITE the system BECAUSE of Mr. Angelo! For this Mr. Angelo in specific and all the others who educate and inspire -- Thank you. [This is a GEM of a book that deserves to be spotlighted!]

A great read....with lots of good SAT words

Hey, who knew that my 11th grade English teacher had such an interesting life to read about. I only wish that I had known about it back when I was in his class! As a kid with a mother devoted to her career as a public school teacher and, now, as a parent of public school children, I thoroughly appreciated Mr. Rotondo's memories of being a kid, parent and teacher. I give it a 500/500 (and not just because that's what HE gave ME on my autobiography!). Thanks for sharing!

Interesting POV

First of all, I loved the book. Second, I took two courses with Mr. Rotondo in high school. He was, hands down, the most influential teacher I had in grade school. That's about all there is to it.

I laughed, I cried...

Many people judge a movie by the emotions that it makes them feel. If you judge a book the same way, this is the book for you. Scratch Where it Itches takes you on a journey through the life of a teacher who is anything but typical. Mr. Rotondo draws the reader into his book and makes you a part of his main character's life. I've met only two teachers in my life who show the kind of love for their students that Anthony Augustus Angelo shows. We should all be so lucky to have a teacher like this. I recommend this book to teachers and students alike. As a parent, it made me appreciate what my children's teachers are up against. Thanks for the great read!