Work Hard. Be Nice.: How Two Inspired Teachers Created the Most Promising Schools in America Audiobook

" When educators are allowed to use their creativity and hold children to a higher standard good things can happen. Why have our education systems become political to its detriment? "

" Jay Matthews' writing style was sometimes difficult to follow, but I did enjoy this book about the founders of KIPP schools. As an educator, I would have liked more of the "how they actually do this" included in the book; however it was a nice overview of how KIPP schools have evolved over the course of the last 15 years. "

" Not fine literature, but definitely an inspiring read and helpful primer for anyone seeking to make an impact on education reform. "

" Spectacular history of a sea change in education. Following the final chapter of Outliers I became fascinated in the KIPP schooling philosophy. I am following it even more closely now that I've read Work Hard. Be Nice. "

" I like it! The F word was used in the first couple of pages and its about school reform! "

" Started strong and finished strong, but lagged a bit in the middle and was a bit choppy. Overall very informative, thought provoking book. "

" A good tome on the history of the KIPP schools. Reads a little like an unauthorized biography, which makes it feel less "official." "

" OK - Would like to have more "personal stories" about these 2 really inspiring teachers - kinda peters out by the last 1/3 of the book with "business" stuff about starting up schools "

" An inspiring and at times frightening study of the founding of the KIPP schools. Not necessarily my educational panacea, but enlightening for the year ahead. "

" Interesting perspective on education. Well written easy to read story. Impressive characters. Made me want to learn more. "

" Inspiring tale of two annoyingly persistent and outstandingly successful Teach for America recruits who go on to develop one of the most successful charter school models in the country. "

" Very easy to read and inspiring in many ways. Love to read about education that works, and love "there are no shortcuts." Maybe I will be lucky enough to visit a KIPP school. Became a daily reader of Jay Matthews since I finished this too. "

" Such a great and inspiring story! "

" Fantastic book about the KIPP charter schools - great if you are interested in innovations in education. "

" Mr. Levin and Mr. Feinberg are very impressive educators and inspiring figures. This book tells the story of how they started at Teach For America, how they started their first KIPP (Knowledge IS POWER PROGRAM) to how they have gone national. "

" An incredibly interesting story of how two men created a school model that has nationally been successful in raising the abilities of impoverished children to read and write at grade level. Really inspiring. "

" Funny, sad, inspiring. "

" I desperately want to teach at a school with this model and philosophy. DESPERATELY. "

" Evidence that regular people really can change the world. It was a bit strange for me to be so enthralled in a non-fiction read - but I was. Very inspirational. "

" A friend of mine recommended this while he was applying for Teach For America. Really enjoyed it! "

" The story behind the creation of the system of public charter schools called KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) that is featured prominently in the 2010 documentary Waiting for Superman. "

" Interesting perspective on education. Well written easy to read story. Impressive characters. Made me want to learn more. "

" I was expecting a more analytical, academic assessment of the KIPP schools' beginnings. This was instead a sometimes humorous narrative of the creators' lives. There is a distinct lack of chronology in the story as well, which makes it somewhat difficult to follow. "

" Learned alot about KIPP, even one of the founders had disphonicia like me. I really grow to like the organization and hope to work with it soon. "

" An incredibly interesting story of how two men created a school model that has nationally been successful in raising the abilities of impoverished children to read and write at grade level. Really inspiring. "

" When educators are allowed to use their creativity and hold children to a higher standard good things can happen. Why have our education systems become political to its detriment? "

" Spectacular history of a sea change in education. Following the final chapter of Outliers I became fascinated in the KIPP schooling philosophy. I am following it even more closely now that I've read Work Hard. Be Nice. "