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Summary: Palmers book was very inspiring to me.
Review: I felt like The Courage To Teach was a good book. It really helped me to explore my innner thoughts and feelings about teaching. I believe every person who intends to be an educator needs to read this book. I also want to read the book again after I begin my career as a teacher. Some of the passages were a little difficult to understand but the points mentioned were really worthwhile. Thanks Paula Cobb
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Summary: Reflecting and Renewing
Review: I have recently completed reading and discussing THE COURAGE TO TEACH with a group of professional colleagues. I must admit, at a first glance I was turned off by the book. However, it has turned out to be extremely beneficial in leading many reflective conversations, both alone and with my colleagues. Many times Palmer "lost me"; however, I stuck with it and found it to be most rewarding. If you need to "renew" prior to starting the new year, pick up the book and spend time reflecting on who you really are and what you stand for. It worked wonders for me!
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Summary: Excellent book!
Review: I notice that the more negative reviews posted here are from semi-literate people. Makes sense. If you are actually educated and teaching, this book is extemely inspiring. It is a good counterpoint to the test and assessment-centered madness that is being foisted upon the US by the current radically conservative government. It tells the truth about what makes a good teacher. I highly recommend this book.
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Summary: Pop Psyche meets Education
Review: I wanted to like this book as it had been recommended by a friend, but I couldn't do it. Nothing pulled me through the book at all. Maybe it's because I'm not discouraged as a teacher, but I was only able to find bits and pieces that worked for me. That and the book seemed riddled with pop-psych terminology which turned me off. I ask only of a writer that he or she write well and have a passion. Palmer is passionate, but the book is not well written. If teachers are looking for the courage to teach, they should find one of James Herndon's books (two of which are recently back in print) or read Kozol's _Savage Inequalities_ or any one of Ted Sizer's books. I applaud Palmer's intentions, but the end result is lacking.
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Summary: Points to Ponder
Review: I was not enchanted or spiritually lifted after I had read this highly-praised book. It was too much talk with little background. I love stories that empower, or motivate, where as that was what I was expecting with this book and was sadly disappointed. It scared me more to become a teacher (with it's sherr negativity) and failed to make me fel the need to explore my inner landscape.
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Summary: An Essential Source for Those Who Teach
Review: I would recommend this book for any who are setting out to teach, and for those now teaching, especially in the public schools. Palmer's perspective can be of great help to those seeking to refound public education as a postmodern spiritual quest. In other words, as authentic learning rather than mere schooling. Such a perspective may also help public school teachers to respond with a transformative vision to the narrow agenda of those who would reform edcation with mere convention or sectarianism.
Rating:
Summary: An Essential Source for Those Who Teach
Review: I would recommend this book for any who are setting out to teach, and for those now teaching, especially in the public schools. Palmer's perspective can be of great help to those seeking to refound public education as a postmodern spiritual quest. In other words, as authentic learning rather than mere schooling. Such a perspective may also help public school teachers to respond with a transformative vision to the narrow agenda of those who would reform edcation with mere convention or sectarianism.
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Summary: The cost of caring
Review: I've been teaching 9 years and had begun to think the toll was just too great. If you invest your emotional energy into your students, you are at risk for some very personal feelings of rejection.... and it can come from parents and administrators, as well as the students. This book probably saved me from quitting or self-destructing. Because Palmer so squarely defines this risk and compassionately encourages his reader (we're all teachers in some respect) with explanation and appreciation, it allows the teacher to once again feel that he/she is making the sacrifice for a worthy and noble cause. I loved this book.
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Summary: So, Why Do You Teach?
Review: In many ways, it is itself an act of courage to read this book. Mr. Palmer has taken the rare, difficult task of probing to the heart of the learning experience and seeks to reveal its essence for any teacher willing to explore with him. In this task--like a good teacher--he asks more questions than he answers and he is concerned in discovering the process and the means of learning and teaching.For me, what lingers after finishing the short book are two key concepts his identifies: identity and integrity. For each individual teacher, the need to have some balanced perspective of self-identity becomes paramount. Do I teach to peddle my agenda? Do I teach in order to be the 'big fish in a little pond'? Do I teach because I like the stage? Or, Do I teach in order to fulfill an inner yearning, even sadness?. Next, the balance of integrity must center a good teacher. Do I seek fairness among my students? Do I build good habits of discipline? Do I live justly? Eschew competition? Seek first of all to teach meaning, itself a subject-centered approach? See? These are the kinds of questions that echo in my mind after reading The Courage To Teach. I particularly like what Mr. Palmer had to say regarding fear, teaching from fear, and hiding among our fears while facing them. Beauty lies in the paradox. Now, I look for those critical moments in teaching for what they are. I strive to find my identity in my students' faces; I am challenged to live with integrity in my heart AND in my mind. No student of educational reform should be without this book. One more thing: if nothing else, read this book for the research and precious quotes that Mr. Palmer uses. His endnotes are worth the price alone.
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Summary: Difficult... yet valuable
Review: In order to comprehend what Palmer is trying to get across,I had to read this book twice. I read many parts several times before I could move on to the next section. I found some of it fascinating, especially some of the stories that he refers to. I had a hard time getting into the book at first. If it weren't for this project, I would not have chosen this book off of the shelf. I might use some of his ideas in my teaching career (parts that were not over my head).
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