Description
Book SynopsisThe Village Proposal is based on the African proverb that it takes a village to raise a child. Part education commentary, part memoir, the book analyzes the theme of shared responsibility in public schools and evaluates the importance of sound teacher instruction; the effectiveness of America's teacher colleges; the need for strong school leaders and supports; the need for strong parental and community involvement; the effectiveness of multiculturalism and social justice in closing the achievement gap; the relevancy of education policy; the impact of private business and politics on schools; and how the media and technology are influencing education.
Trade ReviewMany educational books are written by so called 'educational experts' who would not last a day teaching in an urban high school. It is refreshing to read a book by someone who has walked the walk. This book is a well-written account by an actual insider of his challenges of teaching in a large, urban school setting, and what it takes to succeed in this environment. Chris Paslay comes to the conclusion that a teacher is the most important element of a student's success in school, but they aren't the only element. For a student to succeed, it really does involve a shared responsibility of 'the village' with the teacher as the point person. -- Brian Malloy, 2009 Philadelphia School District Teacher of the Year
Chris Paslay uses personal memoir and documented research to make you think, really think, about education in our country. This is a must-read for every faculty book club. -- Cindi Rigsbee, 2009 finalist, National Teacher of the Year, and author of
Finding Mrs. Warnecke: The Difference Teachers MakePublic schools have been blamed for every ill created by the larger society: poverty, the breakdown of a strong family unit, adolescent crime, adult crime, etc. Those who place the blame, the school reformers, rarely visit schools or walk in the shoes of teachers, yet expect teachers to cure all the ills that society has placed on generations of children. These same reformers, from time to time, find magic bullets that they profess will turn schools around. First and foremost, teacher unions must be abolished, tenure must be abolished, pay based on credentials and experience must be abolished, and bad teachers must be fired. Lost in all the reform talk, is the voice of the teacher. Christopher Paslay is a teacher who knows what students need and what teachers need to help students achieve and succeed. We applaud his efforts in the classroom, in the school and now in his effort to inform the larger community by authoring The Village Proposal. We are also proud to have him as a member of our union, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. -- Jerry T. Jordan, President, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers
This book is a must read for anyone truly interested in the fight to reform our schools. Paslay's honest account of his life and the challenges he faced to become a successful teacher in urban schools is exactly what is missing from today's policy debates; the insightful perspective of someone who has been in the arena where too many fear to tread. -- Jack Stollsteimer, former Pennsylvania Safe Schools Advocate
Explore the learning process through the eyes of a teacher and understand how education must change if we are to recapture our past success. The Village Proposal also challenges those in the education business to stop exploiting problems for their own benefit. It is a must read and as it clearly demonstrates, there are no simple solutions and only by working together can we effectively change education. -- Harry Vincenzi Ed.D, Ed.D., Psychologist and educator, co-author,
Energy Tapping: How to rapidly eliminate anxiety, depression and cravingsThe Village Proposal shows the success and failure of America's public school system from top to bottom, and explains how everyone needs to have accountability when it comes to educating children. It's a great read for those interested in the perspectives of an everyday schoolteacher. -- James Tarabocchia, 2009 Pennsylvania Career Teacher of the Year
Table of ContentsChapter 1 The Temple Rejection Chapter 2 Winter of Hope Chapter 3 Teachers: The Decisive Element Chapter 4 Spring of Despair Chapter 5 Teaching the Teachers Chapter 6 First Year Chapter 7 School Leaders and Supports Chapter 8 A Day in the Life Chapter 9 Family and the Community Chapter 10 Revelation Chapter 11 Multiculturalism and the Achievement Gap Chapter 12 Teaching Shakespeare Chapter 13 Policy Matters Chapter 14 Arrival Chapter 15 Politics Chapter 16 Later Years Chapter 17 Pop Culture and Technology Chapter 18 The Greatest Gift
