William Ayers

This book should be required reading for students in schools of education. Ayers delivers a series of crucial ideas about the craft and art of teaching in a way that is engaging and very accessible. He shows us what it truly takes to be a teacher (no, it is not technique. There are plenty of teachers who can do good lessons plans and manage a classroom only to be proven bad teachers). The narrative not only deals with Bill's story, but he also introduces us to his kindergarten class as well as other teachers and the work they do. The book is warm and moving at times, and it is very inspiring. In between the narrative, we also get lessons on teaching philosophy and pedagogy, but again, it is very accessible. The simple style of the art complements the story very well. It brings the story to life and makes it a bit more entertaining.

I will say that I have read a good number of books about teachers; I am a former teacher now librarian, and I can say with confidence that a lot of those other books were a waste of time. This one is one that I wish I could put in the hands of every student teacher. In fact, this is a book that a lot of parents need to read in order to understand the work that the teachers do in educating their children. Maybe then those parents will have a better appreciation of the challenges and obstacles teachers face (starting with the terrible construct that is standardized testing).… (més)

While some of the myths from You Can't Fire the Bad One I would categorize as just a shade below media click bait—like the one about needing more police in schools to maintain law and order—the majority of the book does a great job at illustrating that the teaching profession requires more nuance thinking and less either/or judgments.

If you're interested in the topic, as I am, or maybe you potentially have the opportunity to shape the industry for the better, then I recommend reading this book. You're understanding will be richer for it. I guarantee the finer points of this debate are lost on 95% of those paying attention.… (més)

To Teach is an amazing book told as a comic book about teaching. The front cover of the book gives the reader an idea of William Ayers' message. There is a picture of a man teaching a young boy in a schoool desk, and then in the next photo the young boy is teaching the man. It's a common belief that teachers are supposed to be doing most of the talking in classrooms, but in reality the best classrooms are when teachers are not talking the majority of the time. The book opens with advance praises from well known authors and educators, highlighting the value of this text. One of the comments is from Josh Neufeld, who wrote A.D.:New Orleans After te Deluge, which is another well put together graphic novel about Hurricane Katrina. The book is organized with a table of contents, outlning the foreward, acknowledgements, introduction and chapters of the book. In the end there are futher readings, references, and about the author. This book excellently tackles the highs and lows of being an educator. Bill Ayers tells his story of teaching, while intertwinig stories from other teachers and issues they have come across and overcome. Each educator in this book is an inspiration and a motivation for anyone interested in the life of a teacher. The book discusses the challenges of dealing with administrations and standards, while trying to balance a classroom with authentic activities. Ayers focuses on issues such as parent involvement and how it is ok not to have all the answers. Bill Ayers is the educator I strive to become, his impact on his students and readers of this book is huge.… (més)