To Teach: The Journey, In Comics (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
What is the ultimate goal of an educator? Is it to prepare students for standardized tests, leveled groups, and administrative requirement? Is it to provide a welcome environment for open thought and experimentation? What are our internal questions regarding education, and how can we answer them through real world application?These are some of the questions William Ayers tackles in this graphic novel. A veteran teacher, Ayers uses anecdotal bits to highlight ways in which he himself has faced, and in some cases fought for, these ideals and also those teachers or community members who have also changed the way that learning is broached. Examples include his own classrooms, those of his children, former students, and groundbreaking teachers throughout the country.Topics go from the very abstract, "Is Productive Work Going On?", to the practical, "How can I design my classroom for productive learning?" Ayers has clear issues with the imposition of administration and standardized testing on the uniqueness and ability levels of children and teachers, but he does make it clear that he understands some of the reasoning, but wishes for more opportunity to reevaluate the methods. Fans of Waiting for Superman, or other education reform pieces may like this short and sweet entry. The graphic format lends itself to the observations teachers make, the nuances of young children and teens, as well as the bits of humor found in everyday teaching. I personally love graphic novels, especially ones that are a resource for teachers! This book is a wonderful book for teachers that looks into the life of one teacher's classroom that shows the many faulty things wrong with our current education system. The comic uses humor to reveal very serious topics and matters that educators have to go through. The book also lists and disproves many of the numerous myths out there about teachers. I really enjoyed this graphic novel and will keep it as a resource for my future career in education.
What do You think about To Teach: The Journey, In Comics (2010)?
An classic text in teacher education becomes an essential graphic novel for teachers at all levels.
—KaungLay
Teaching memoir and treatise in graphic novel form? More, please.
—Hungergames101
nicely evocative memoir/guide to teaching
—Cierrax19
brilliant! this book is an inspiration!
—booklover047
