A student standing on a wall threatening to moon the school, while simultaneously flipping the bird to approaching police officers. A boy who quotes verbatim "R" rated films while running around the room half-naked. Back-and-forth banter where kids insult each other (on purpose) for the sake of memorizing good "comebacks". A loner whose mom locked him out of the house to teach him a lesson, and his attempt to jump off a roof to teach her one. On that first, innocent, and fateful day, as he stepped into the mire of public education, these were not the stories that Derek Stooks imagined he would eventually tell. What he discovered was that it was the student's words, actions, tears and yes, their craziness that would ultimately impact his life in profound ways. Take a front row seat on this hilarious journey through the beginnings of a career in Special Education, where the stories are too unbelievable to be anything but true. Then join him as he makes the transition into teaching General Education, learning the "ups and downs" of dealing with a system in which the cards are inevitably stacked against you.

Confessions of a Public School Teacher: A 35-Year Veteran's Assessment on How Public Education Can Make the Grade By: Michael Marra A veteran teacher of 35 years, Michael Marra believes deeply in education’s power to change lives. His enthusiasm for helping children realize their full potential lies at the core of his lessons. His efforts to make history and economics classes relevant to students’ lives, both inside and outside the classroom, permeate his lively teaching style. Marra’s philosophy on how best to improve our public schools does not sit well with teacher unions. He believes strongly that tenure, seniority and near-endless due process protect poor performing teachers and need swift, meaningful revision. On this, Marra is unwavering, and he presents refreshing suggestions for unlocking what he believes have become the greatest shackles on American schools. Readers will be well informed to make their own assessment on these critical issues. Part memoir, part argument and part how-to guide for aspiring educators, Confessions of a Public School Teacher is a must-read for anyone who believes true learning and development to be worthwhile pursuits. Marra’s quest to leave the classroom a bit better than he found it is both his greatest support of those we cherish dearly—our children—and an invitation for the reader to join the conversation.

In this hilarious and highly practical book, author and professional speaker Scott Berkun reveals the techniques behind what great communicators do, and shows how anyone can learn to use them well. For managers and teachers -- and anyone else who talks and expects someone to listen -- Confessions of a Public Speaker provides an insider's perspective on how to effectively present ideas to anyone. It's a unique, entertaining, and instructional romp through the embarrassments and triumphs Scott has experienced over 15 years of speaking to crowds of all sizes. With lively lessons and surprising confessions, you'll get new insights into the art of persuasion -- as well as teaching, learning, and performance -- directly from a master of the trade. Highlights include: Berkun's hard-won and simple philosophy, culled from years of lectures, teaching courses, and hours of appearances on NPR, MSNBC, and CNBC Practical advice, including how to work a tough room, the science of not boring people, how to survive the attack of the butterflies, and what to do when things go wrong The inside scoop on who earns $30,000 for a one-hour lecture and why The worst -- and funniest -- disaster stories you've ever heard (plus countermoves you can use) Filled with humorous and illuminating stories of thrilling performances and real-life disasters, Confessions of a Public Speaker is inspirational, devastatingly honest, and a blast to read.

In Confessions of a School Reformer, eminent historian of education Larry Cuban reflects on nearly a century of education reforms and his experiences with them as a student, educator, and administrator. Cuban begins his own story in the 1930s, when he entered first grade at a Pittsburgh public school, the youngest son of Russian immigrants who placed great stock in the promises of education. With a keen historian's eye, Cuban expands his personal narrative to analyze the overlapping social, political, and economic movements that have attempted to influence public schooling in the United States since the beginning of the twentieth century. He documents how education both has and has not been altered by the efforts of the Progressive Era of the first half of the twentieth century, the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s through the 1970s, and the standards-based school reform movement of the 1980s through today. Cuban points out how these dissimilar movements nevertheless shared a belief that school change could promote student success and also forge a path toward a stronger economy and a more equitable society. He relates the triumphs of these school reform efforts as well as more modest successes and unintended outcomes. Interwoven with Cuban's evaluations and remembrances are his "confessions," in which he accounts for the beliefs he held and later rejected, as well as mistakes and areas of weakness that he has found in his own ideology. Ultimately, Cuban remarks with a tempered optimism on what schools can and cannot do in American democracy.

"Chloe Snow chonicles a year in her high school life, sharing the highs and lows of family, friendship, school, and love"--

Ric Klass' varied career ultimately led him to become an urban high school math teacher. His book, Man Overboard, chronicles the sad, comical, frustrating and occasionally frightening daily routine endured by a change-of-career do-gooder. Klass portrayal of his "Crash and Burn" attempts to help underprivileged inner city kids is inspiring. Despite the torturous obstacles inflicted by school administrators, the little darlings themselves, and his own uncontrolled angerm-Klass eventually finds salvation for himself and some of his students. A candid tale, Man Overboard will take you on an eye-opening ride into our misguided public educational system. You'll find out why our schools don't succeed and why only teachers who are a little overboard themselves jump into the fray.