Educating Esme: Diary of a Teacher's First Year

Rating:
Summary: Fun and inspiring
Review: As I anticipate my first year of teaching, I was looking for a book just like this one. There is so much out there on how to teach, but it really helps to get a sense of how someone survived the "rite of passage"...Esme's emotional journey mingled with good description of her kids and their classroom was a powerful balance. I hope she continues to share her love of language as a writer,too!

Rating:
Summary: We All Need To Remember Imagination
Review: I am a student teacher in an intensive graduate program fresh out of undergraduate studies in child psychology. Madame Esme is the teacher I think we should all aspire to be. Although my journey towards being a teacher has really "just begun" it has been a hard road to walk, everything so new and different. This book gave me strength and reminded me of the passion and imagination that children bring out in me and all good teachers. Thank you!

Rating:
Summary: Awesome first person account!
Review: I read this book for an introduction to education class (a prerequisite for admission to the school of education) and fell in love with it almost immediately. Esme's description of the classroom and learning to teach your class based on their abilities and interests completely changed my outlook on becoming a teacher. I won't get my degree for another two years, but this book has already impacted how I act around the kids I work with in summer camp and the kids in the afterschool program that I work for.

Rating:
Summary: Not just for teachers
Review: This book was a perfect summer lighthearted pleasure. I've bought the book in a checkout line of my local bookstore, and was pleasantly surprised. Esme is wonderful, funny, and real. There is just something very simple and touching about Esme and her kids, the way she teaches, and the way she always falls on her feet. I am not a teacher, and the book was still inspiring. It reminds you that building a time machine out of an old box can make a difference when infused with enough passion. Reading Esme was like Bridget Jones without the cynicism.

Rating:
Summary: A Must for Anyone in the Education Field
Review: This is the most amazing book. It was required reading for an education course I took, and I have read it about 10 times since then. Esme is honest and has wonderful ideas and philosophies. I love how she stands up to the administration! All this and she's only a first year teacher!

Rating:
Summary: Honest and inspiring
Review: This is an honest and heartfelt look at a teacher's first year. I read it before I started teaching and it inspired me and prepared me for what was to come. Ms. Codell is a very dedicated teacher, and she is able to recognize the humor and tragedy in everyday situations. She doesn't sugarcoat the truths about schools, administrators, and society, but instead tells it like it is through the eyes of someone who hopes it can be better. I still open it and refer to it when I need ideas or a little perspective. I would reccommend it to teachers and non-teachers alike.

Rating:
Summary: I was there too!...
Review: I also taught with Esme. I loved her book. I thought it was hysterical. Never did I find Esme to be hurtful to special needs students. That is not her nature. She liked kids. She invited them to her house. She still sees some of her former students. If you want to pick on her for her story slant, fine. But don't pick on her for picking on kids. It didn't happen.

Rating:
Summary: Better than The Nanny Diaries
Review: If you liked The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus you will love this book! It is really, really funny and much better written. It is the same subject of the struggle to give kids the care they deserve. Both books are great for book clubs.

Rating:
Summary: Funny and wise
Review: Esme's story is laugh-out-loud funny and is for anyone who teaches or values public school today. Besides telling a wonderful tale of teacher versus psycho principal (and what teacher hasn't met one of those?), Esme offers a fresh view of what school SHOULD be with ideas for both new and veteran teachers. Would make a terrific gift.

Rating:
Summary: WONDERFULLY WRITTEN
Review: This book is great for first year teachers to read! The events that take place in this book are so realistic. This book truly opened my eyes to challenges that can occur in the classroom! I recommend this book to anyone who is or is planning to teach!