Against a White Sky: A Memoir of Closets and Classrooms

Rating:
Summary: Finding Her Place
Review: Against A White Sky is Laurie Stapleton's account of her difficulties fitting into the public school system as a gay person trying (though not wanting) to remain in the closet. The three years covered in this book, her year in a Central California university teaching credential program and her first two years as a high school English teacher and coach in a small, agricultural town, show Stapleton attempting to keep a secret that seems to seep out of her pores. As a lesbian with some characteristics society deems "masculine," she endures stares ("Is that a he or a she"), name-calling by community members and students, and even an attempt to strip her of her job - a job she does well - because of "suspicions" about her sexual preference. Stapleton is also frank about some of the little discomforts, most notably the fit and look of "feminized" outfits for someone with her height and frame, the utter silliness of having to pretend to be looking for an attractive man while out on the town with a friend who doesn't know she's gay, and the effort it takes to remember the made-up guy's name she came up with for her female lover.

The beauty of the book lies in Stapleton's honesty about her pain, her willingness to be specific about its causes, and the love she has for teaching and her students. As she chronicles her classroom and coaching experiences, it becomes clear that her sexual preference transcends - or, actually, is simply irrelevant to - the devotion she brings to the individuals under her care. As an added bonus for those who live in California's Central Valley are the eloquently-described settings.

In fact, setting is what Against A White Sky is all about: Stapleton's journey to find her place. As much as there is to learn from people like Laurie who, closeted or not, are working right next to hetereosexuals, the book has much to say about loneliness, fitting in, and most importantly, finding ways to like oneself. Laurie Stapleton's journey was not just one of how to overcome difficulty from without but also of how to find "home" within herself to take with her wherever she goes.


Rating:
Summary: Deeply Touching
Review: I could not put down this deeply touching memoir of the struggles a young woman must go through to be able to teach. The conservative community in which she works judges her not on the quality of her teaching ability, but on her looks and mannerisms, things students always overlook if the teacher is any good at all. Her wonderful friends help her get through the year. This book is full of wisdom.

Rating:
Summary: Real Teaching
Review: This book gave me a sense of shared intimacy. It seems that Laurie Stapleton; the fun, intelligent, engaging teacher, could easily be a separate person from Laurie Stapleton; the witty, deep-thinking, and sometimes tormented lesbian. The beauty is that the two combined are important components of the whole, special human being, and as I watched her learn self-respect and self-acceptance, I saw her grow wise before my eyes. Against The White Sky stimulates perspective and empathy, and it offers true inspiration for not only teachers, but for students, as well. It kindles hope for not only gays and lesbians, but for women, minorities, and every educator who faces the intrinsic challenges of the profession. I wish the author continued strength and courage.

Rating:
Summary: Real Teaching
Review: This book gave me a sense of shared intimacy. It seems that Laurie Stapleton; the fun, intelligent, engaging teacher, could easily be a separate person from Laurie Stapleton; the witty, deep-thinking, and sometimes tormented lesbian. The beauty is that the two combined are important components of the whole, special human being, and as I watched her learn self-respect and self-acceptance, I saw her grow wise before my eyes. Against The White Sky stimulates perspective and empathy, and it offers true inspiration for not only teachers, but for students, as well. It kindles hope for not only gays and lesbians, but for women, minorities, and every educator who faces the intrinsic challenges of the profession. I wish the author continued strength and courage.

Rating:
Summary: Deeply Touching
Review: This book is important for everyone to read -- whether or not they are sympathetic to the homosexual's struggle. It is a poignent story about a human being and her dreams. There are stories here that everyone can relate to. I have laughed and cried while reading this, because Laurie relates eloquently the pain of relationships that don't work out and the humor that goes on in a classroom full of wise-cracking adolescents. Her writing draws pictures of small California towns and the variety of people that populate them. A great book by a very strong and intelligent lady.

Rating:
Summary: Open, honest and a great read for everyone
Review: This book is important for everyone to read -- whether or not they are sympathetic to the homosexual's struggle. It is a poignent story about a human being and her dreams. There are stories here that everyone can relate to. I have laughed and cried while reading this, because Laurie relates eloquently the pain of relationships that don't work out and the humor that goes on in a classroom full of wise-cracking adolescents. Her writing draws pictures of small California towns and the variety of people that populate them. A great book by a very strong and intelligent lady.

Rating:
Summary: Learning Experience
Review: This book should be required reading for anyone entering the teaching profession. Not only will it facilitate an understanding of curriculum, teaching processes, and biases, but it will open our eyes {and hearts} a little bit wider to how we can, and should reach students. This book will also, hopefully, help us all to see how we accept ourselves and present our authentic selves, is more important than how others view us. It is a total learning experience along with the author.