In Memoriam for Julia Gardner.

Presents a collection of essays that explore a college education as a means through which serious-minded individuals broaden their minds and acquire life skills, arguing that higher learning is an essential remedy for today's problems.

Why We Teach Now dares to challenge current notions of what it means to be a “highly qualified teacher” á la No Child Left Behind, and demonstrates the depth of commitment and care teachers bring to their work with students, families, and communities. This sequel to Nieto’s popular book, Why We Teach, features powerful stories of classroom teachers from across the country as they give witness to their hopes and struggles to teach our nation’s children. Why We Teach Now offers us the voices of teachers like 42-year veteran Mary Ginley, who wonders, “Why would anyone with any brains and imagination ever want to be a teacher?” Who then answers her own question affirmatively, “It’s because somehow, even today, even with all the insanity, all the rules, all the poorly designed textbooks, all the directives to teach to the test, there are kids out there who need good teachers.” At a time when politicians, policymakers, and philanthropists are quick to denigrate teachers’ work and arrogantly speak for the profession,Why We Teach Now offers teachers the room and respect to speak for themselves. Once again, Nietogives teachers and those who care about education the inspiration and energy to embrace their role as advocates—a role that is vital not only for the well-being of students but also for the future of the profession and our nation. Praise for Why We Teach: “These pieces reveal the passion and hope that keep people in the classroom. Inspiration and information, Why We Teach raises our understanding of the dedication that fuels people's commitment to this profession.” —Rethinking Schools “This collection of essays written by teachers from across the country demonstrates exactly why there is hope for our public schools. Their words reveal why--in spite of bureaucracy and low pay—they continue to teach. This book should be required reading for college students planning to enter the profession. Teachers already in the classroom, whether for five years or twenty-five, will be encouraged and inspired.” —VOYA

New Revised Edition. How can we create a just, healthy, and humane world? What is the path to developing sustainable energy, food, transportation, production, construction, and other systems? What’s the best strategy to end poverty and ensure that everyone has equal rights? How can we slow the rate of extinction and restore ecosystems? How can we learn to resolve conflicts without violence and treat other people and nonhuman animals with respect and compassion? The answer to all these questions lies with one underlying system—schooling. To create a more sustainable, equitable, and peaceful world, we must reimagine education and prepare a generation to be solutionaries—young people with the knowledge, tools, and motivation to create a better future. This book describes how we can (and must) transform education and teaching; create such a generation; and build such a future.

Promoting peace and inspiration, award-winning teacher Alston strives to help educators generate their own joy, passion, creativity, and love of their profession. For use with Grades K-12.

"Why do you teach, Pete?" Simple enough question, but an incredibly challenging one to answer. Peter Beidler, in the most thoughtful and honest of ways, delivers his answer in this special book. Read his words and you will have the opportunity to stop and reflect on life, contemplate why you do the thing you do, and rediscover where your life takes on meaning. In the essay, Beidler writes about lifelong learning through teaching, innovative teaching methods, and how teaching is rewarded continuously as former students go on to do good and useful things.Beidler says, "I teach because, being around people who are beginning to breathe, I occasionally find myself, quite magically, catching my breath with them." This book will inspire anyone who reads it. This is a wonderful keepsake to cherish and the perfect gift for any teacher, past or present, who deserves to be thanked and commemorated.

This beautifully illustrated watercolor book is a collection of prose writings that celebrate the wonderful contributions that teachers make to encourage the growth and formation of children at all levels. Each page has its own story of what teachers do from team builders, cheerleaders, ambassadors and more.