Stories of the Courage to Teach: Honoring the Teacher's Heart

By Sam M. Intrator

Book Overview

WISE STORIES TO HONOR AND ENCOURAGE THE HEARTS OF TEACHERS

"A heartwarming collection of essays about the doubts, passions, insecurities, and life-changing moments of teachers."
-American School Board Journal

"Our history books are filled with examples of the efforts of committed education employees who helped to make this country what it is today. Stories of the Courage to Teach challenges today's teachers to see themselves not only as school employees, dedicated to serving children, but as leaders in their schools and communities."
-Bob Chase, president, National Education Association

"It's the worst-kept secret in education: the passionate and talented teacher makes more of a difference than any school policy. Yet for all the ink spilled over school reform, little gets written about what makes a great teacher tick. Stories of the Courage to Teach . . . [by Sam Intrator] bucks this trend by looking into the hearts of twenty-five effective teachers, knitting together their first-person narratives with his own ideas about great teaching."
-New York Times

"The teachers featured in this anthology have all, at various junctures, been on the verge of exhaustion, and the book is, in many ways, a sustained meditation on how they've sought to regain their emotional and spiritual strength."
-Teacher Magazine

"Stories of the Courage to Teach . . . honors teachers who struggle to rekindle their passion for teaching."
-Christian Science Monitor

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 078799684X
• ISBN13: 9780787996840
• Release Date: August 2007
• Publisher: Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, John
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.04 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Honors the truth and complexity of our work

I need this book every day to help me understand and meet the complex demands of my work as a high school English teacher. Sam possesses a keen insight into and commitment to the challenges we face in the contemporary classroom. What distinguishes Sam's book from others is its concern for the teacher's entire life. Our teaching comes from our heart at its best and our teaching is the story of who we are. This book tells that story, through OUR stories, in a way that makes it new and makes me proud to be a teacher. The book never whines but always entertains even as it confronts the hard truths that make up our days in the classroom. When you finish this book---which you never will, for you will reread certain stories again and again---you will understand why your work matters and will sense, even at those difficult moments, the dignity inherent in the work you do. Thank you for the book, Mr. Intrator.

Honor is given to the hearts of teachers

What a joy! Sam Intrator's new book, "Stories of the Courage to Teach: Honoring the Teacher's Heart", indeed does what it's title claims. Our courageous, dedicated and, too often, maligned American educators are given voice to express their own inner realities...and it is most powerful. I could not put this book down. And Parker Palmer's words in the Forword and Afterword dramatically acknowledge the terrible reality of being a teacher today. Teaching is a profession that attracts people with passion and love for children, is absolutely essential to a healthy society, yet is an easy target for all that goes wrong.To be a teacher today is to choose a vocation of profound worth and profound pain.I strongly recommend this book for all who care deeply about our children and the extraordinary teachers who, every day, give their very selves on behalf of our future. Thank you, Sam, for a masterful job of capturing our teachers' hearts!

A book by teachers but inspiring for all of us

This is not Palmer's "Courage to Teach" but rather a volume written by educators who have been inspired by Palmer's writings. Filled with compelling and deeply thoughtful pieces and pulled together artfully by Sam Intrator, a nationally recognized teacher himself, this book is a valuable source of wisdom and insight for teachers and anyone who cares about sustaining the teacher's spirit and calling. Each story told resonates with different elements of the educator's journey and will provide new appreciation for the challenges and rewards of teaching, whether you are a student, parent, community member, or teacher yourself.

Honoring Teachers

This book truly touched me! I am a veteran teacher who is currently struggling with budget cuts, layoffs, and low morale as we face yet another year without a contract in my school. I happened upon this book, and am truly happy to say that my disheartened spirit found a ray of hope. Intrator's collection of stories from teachers across the country, like myself, have reminded me of many of the reasons that drew me to this profession. I feel inspired, and proud to be a teacher.PS: For those of you who have wondered what a teacher's life is like, read this collection of stories and get a glimpse of our special world.

A Teacher's View

I am a veteran teacher who happened to find this book. We are dealing with layoffs, budget cuts and low morale as we go through yet another year without a contract at my school. I found this book to be a ray of hope at a particularly difficult time. Intrator's collection of stories captures the essence of what made me want to be a teacher. I felt inspired and impressed by the stories of teachers across America. P.S. - For those of you who are interested in finding out what it means to be a teacher, I highly recommend this book. It will give you a glimpse of the present day challenges that we face and the potential rewards that can be achieved through a life dedicated to our children.