Best-selling author Rafe Esquith, the only teacher to receive the National Medal of Arts, has garnered the American Teacher Award and numerous other honors. Still teaching fifth graders in a small, leaky classroom in downtown Los Angeles, Esquith fosters a wholesome climate where character, humility, and diligence matter and support is unconditional. For his mostly poor and Hispanic students, Esquith models two maxims: Be nice and work hard, and There are no shortcuts. And his students thrive!
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"Rafe Esquith's book is realistic, enthusiastic, and encouraging. He focuses his teaching on meaningful interactions and is able to communicate his passions to the reader. I recommend this book to teachers, parents, and young adults thinking about a career in teaching."
— Sue (5 out of 5 stars)
“Rafe Esquith is a genius and a saint. The American education system would do well to imitate him. These children’s lives have been changed by their year with this man.”
— New York Times“Esquith is a modern-day Thoreau, preaching the value of good work, honest self-reflection, and the courage to go one’s own way.”
— Newsday“Throughout each school day, Esquith teaches life skills: how to think about problems, how to plan a strategy to solve them and, most important, how to work together and be nice to each other. While his goals are inspiring, he’s also practical—most chapters include affordable, how-to directions for a variety of his most effective classroom activities; he’s even got a few tips for revamping those inescapable ‘test prep’ sessions.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)“This practical how-to book is a guide for new teachers and a revitalizer for frustrated professionals. James Yaegashi’s performance is full of the zest that has won Esquith accolades from fans as diverse as Oprah Winfrey and the Dalai Lama.”
— AudioFile" Has some really good ideas and some far fetched ideas. Either way, it was an interesting read. "
— Krystin, 2/19/2014" Some of his advice falls in the category of "very good but I am already trying to do it", while the rest falls in the category of "Does not apply" Worth reading once for the new teacher just for an additional perspective from an accomplished teacher but I have no reason to ever crack it open again. "
— Erik, 2/19/2014" I learned a few things from this guy. And he is enthusiastic about his students, who rise to the high bar he sets. Chapter two, "Searching for Level VI," is especially good. An admirable true story. "
— Kelli, 2/18/2014" You don't have to be a teacher to appreciate the ideas, beliefs and insight in this book. I found quite a few things that I will use to help my son. I think it would benefit any parent of a young child to read this book. "
— Tanisha, 2/10/2014" This is another MUST READ. Excellent overview of what he does in his classroom and ideas to help any parent educating their children at home. These are Leadership Educational methods. "
— Ann, 2/2/2014" This book was recommended by Veritas Press, and I'm so glad they did! It was inspiring even for our homeschooling! I don't agree with all his viewpoints, but overall I found his book to be a great boost to my vision of our homeschool. "
— Emily, 1/19/2014" A must for every to-be educator! Rafe is a miracle worker inside Room 56. His methods are phenomenal and extend way beyond the classroom. "
— Christina, 1/19/2014" ugh. i read this because i am a masochist "
— Amanda, 1/13/2014" Audio book. Inspiring for anyone who teaches anything. "
— Kim, 1/9/2014" Great book! Lots of good ideas and teaching techniques. "
— Tikifire, 1/6/2014" This man is an excellent writer. Rafe Esquith offers a myriad of suggestions and solutions for becoming a more effective teacher. "
— J, 12/29/2013Rafe Esquith is an American teacher who taught at Hobart Boulevard Elementary School, in Los Angeles, California, from 1984 until 2015. Esquith has authored books about teaching and his annual class Shakespeare productions were featured in the 2005 documentary The Hobart Shakespeareans.
His teaching honors include the 1992 Teacher of the Year, for The Walt Disney Company’s American Teacher Awards, a Sigma Beta Delta Fellowship from Johns Hopkins University, Oprah Winfrey’s $100,000 “Use Your Life Award”, Parents Magazine’s “As You Grow Award”, National Medal of Arts, and Esquith was made an honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire.
James Yaegashi has appeared in numerous Broadway and off-Broadway productions, film, and television roles. He was also a popular radio disc jockey in Japan. He is a four-time winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award for audiobook narration, and his voice-over credits include a featured role in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.