Description
Book SynopsisIn a no-holds-barred, candid delivery, Straight Talk to Teachers: Twenty Insane Ideas for a Better Classroom drives directly to the core of what makes an extraordinary teacher, and presents an honest appraisal of why some teachers fail. Bruce J. Gevirtzman speaks to teachers, about teachers, and for teachers. He says, "This book will provide readers with a hearty laugh-but it also may cause some of them to scream. Rarely does anyone talk about the best ways of helping teachers to become better, because these truths are sometimes scary." Gevirtzman is convinced that our greatest teachers are hard working, emotionally well adjusted, and incredibly enthusiastic-about their students, their subject matter, and their jobs. By telling it straight, this book can make a huge difference in the way teachers go about their work.
Trade ReviewAs Mr. Gevirtzman's final high school principal in his extensive teaching career, I can vouch that Gevirtzman still has the pep, energy, and enthusiasm of a 25-year-old. It is this same zeal that seems to transcend throughout his classroom to his students. -- Don Jones, La Mirada High School Principal
Gevirtzman's acerbic sense of humor is not a distraction; it compels us to reader further. In this book's madness comes wisdom about teaching that is, indeed, a rare find. -- Shelley D. Lane, Clinical Associate Professor of Communication Studies and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education, School of Arts and Humanit
When I was Gevirtzman's principal for seven years, I liked to hang out in his classroom. His classes were inspiring; he was inspiring! For teachers who would like—or need—a change in attitude, I would point you in the direction of the many tips offered in this new book from Bruce Gevirtzman! -- Howard M. Haas, Head of School, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy
For the past 38 years, Bruce Gevirtzman, a wildly successful high school English teacher, has cared about his students, challenged them, and made them think about the big issues in life. His unorthodox and unique techniques for classroom success, now offered in Straight Talk to Teachers, enable other teachers to maximize their effectiveness, as per their own styles and personalities. -- Sharon Cotterell, former teacher, department chairperson, and assistant principal for curriculum and instruction
Bruce Gevirtzman has been motivating kids to learn for nearly four decades. His Willingness to think outside the box, to remove himself from comfortable paradigms in order to wake up his students, has become more than a mere rumor on campus. Straight Talk for Teachers reminds us why students actually look forward to going to Gevirtzman's classes: they know it will be well worth their time and effort. -- Eric Jordan, former president, Teachers of the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District Association
Mr. Gevirtzman is one of the main reasons I became a teacher. When a student of his, I admired his integrity, laughed at his sense of humor, and learned from his wisdom. During the years I taught school, I had already applied several of the "insane" ideas discussed in his new book. -- Nermin Kamel, Assistant Principal, Redondo Union High School, and Vice President, California High School Speech Association
As an assistant principal of discipline and attendance, I like to tell it like it is. Sometimes that is extraordinarily difficult, especially when dealing with young people and their parents. I appreciate it when Gevirtzman tells it like it is to teachers. His honesty and sense of humor make for a great read. -- Ron Carroll, Assistant Principal, La Mirada High School
Table of Contents1 Introduction: The Truth May Drive You Insane… 2 Pinch Out a Little Gratitude; You're a Teacher, Man!... 3 Prefer Professionalism… 4 Emote Passion For What You Teach… 5 Stay Off Your Tush... 6 Spotlight Reality: If It Doesn't Matter, Don't Teach It… 7 Entertain An Acting Requirement… 8 Internalize Affection For the Kids; Love 'Em Up!... 9 Strive To be (Gulp!) Fair… 10 Communicate With Even the Ugly Parents… 11 Immerse Yourself in the Extra, Without Going Under… 12 Breathe, Pace, Chill… 13 Nourish Thyself: Keep Stuffing Your Face… 14 Connect With Comrads-in-Arms… 15 Enroll Yourself Back in (Yikes!) School… 16 Plan According to Specifications: Your Own… 17 Strategize Under a Core Umbrella… 18 Observe-and Then Take It With a Grain of Salt… 19 Cultivate a Sense of Humor… 20 Learn a Foreign language… 21 Juice Up Your Personal Life… 22 FINALLY: Hey, Mr. G., When Are You Gonna' Retire?... 23 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 24 BIBLIOGRAPHY
