There Are No Shortcuts
by Rafe Esquith
List Price: $21.00
Product Details
• Hardcover: 224 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.90 x 8.48 x 5.78
• Publisher: Pantheon Books; 1st edition (April 22, 2003)
• ISBN: 0375422021
From Publishers Weekly
What's a Los Angeles middle-school teacher to do when charged with a bunch of fifth and sixth graders, none of whom speak English at home and most of whom are eligible for free lunches? If you're Esquith, you have them read Twain, perform Shakespeare, play classical guitar and study algebra. You take them camping and to concerts and the theater. How do you manage to do that? If you're Esquith, your school day doesn't run from the usual 8 to 3, but from 6:30 to 5, and you're available on Saturdays and during recess, lunch and vacation time as well. You take on extra jobs and go into debt to pay for the supplements. "I have never claimed to be rational," says Esquith in this intimate, lively account of his 17-year career at an L.A. public school. Part memoir, part manual, but primarily a call for action, Esquith's book is explicitly directed to parents and "concerned citizens" as well as teachers. Esquith has known "anguish and disheartening failure," but hasn't given up. For him, education's "bad guys" often occupy the district, union or school offices and frequently the classrooms. Despite his struggles, Esquith's account is upbeat, witty and usually good-humored. There's rewarding professional success-college for his former students and honors bestowed on him-and refreshing personal achievement: his own development and transformation as he moves from saving the world to setting limits on himself, even though, of course, "there are no shortcuts."
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Book Description
The banner in Rafe Esquith’s classroom at Hobart Elementary School reads: “There are no shortcuts.” And his students are a testament to the power of that philosophy. These are kids who speak English as a second language, fourth--and fifth--graders who go to school in a part of Los Angeles where violence and despair are the norms of the neighborhood.
But the statistics are not what you’d expect: Esquith’s students score in the country’s top 10 percent on standardized tests and go on to colleges such as Harvard, Princeton, University of Chicago, Swarthmore, Stanford, and UCLA. How do they do it?
Esquith’s view—that learning isn’t easy and that it shouldn’t be—is an increasingly unusual take among educators. Success, he believes, comes from a strong work ethic and from dedication and perseverance on the part of children, teachers, and parents alike. But such ideas prove to be a hard sell to those who believe that hard work and fun must be mutually exclusive. On the other hand, visitors from all over the world have made a pilgrimage to this astonishing classroom.
Esquith’s students work hard. They are in the classroom at 6:30 a.m. and stay until 5:00 p.m. They come to school during their vacations. Each year the Hobart Shakespeareans, as Esquith’s students are known, perform one of the Bard’s plays—Sir Ian McKellen and Hal Holbrook are passionate patrons. These Renaissance children are outstanding mathematicians and scientists; they read Steinbeck and Malcolm X; they are artists; they play classical music and blistering rock 'n' roll. Above all, they are recognized for their impeccable manners, which serve them well as Esquith accompanies them all over the United States. They are, as many observers have commented, the gold standard in American education.
His former students in middle and high school return on Saturdays, where they read Ibsen, Chekhov, and eight Shakespeare plays a year. In their “Wake Up with Will” program, these eager youngsters travel the world with Esquith and his wife, from London to Paris to colleges all over the country. It’s a classroom where the American Dream really does come true.
There have been no shortcuts for Rafe Esquith, either. He had to learn the hard way: dealing with bureaucratic administrators, antagonistic colleagues, and his own impetuous and occasionally tactless, even confrontational, nature. But his history, peppered with funny and painful incidents, and a gallery of incisive portraits--Miss Mothball, Miss Busy-As-a-Bee, Mr. Incompetent--explains his extraordinary success as a teacher.
His scathing yet loving view from the front lines is the most trenchant look at American education to appear
in many years. It’s a full-alert warning signal, an inspiration, and a guide for teachers, parents, and all the rest of us who care about our country’s children.
Inspiration for veteran teachers, July 31, 2003
Reviewer: A reader from Charlotte, NC United States
Mr. Esquith clearly states why he wrote this book: "...this book is meant to be reminder OF WHAT PUBLIC EDUCATION CAN BE," in addition to giving hope to young teachers. I, too, teach in a large, urban school system (Charlotte-Mecklenburg NC) and I can identify with the rigid, top-down, "the administrators know what's right," abide-by-the-rules-and-keep-the-kids-controlled mentality. It's nice to know that I'm not alone and that someone else has prevailed.
Make no mistake, Esquith IS a freak. He is passionate about teaching. Well ... GREAT! Mozart was passionate about composing, and the world is richer for it. For me, a teacher in public schools now for 8 years and previous experience as a college instructor, this book is an inspiration to NOT GIVE UP. Too often, I fall into the trap of teaching to the bright kids and give up too easily on the less able. I will work harder this year to teach every child, to not let administrators and burnt-out or cynical teachers pull me away from a dream I had in college to create greatness in students. Sometimes the worst place in the world for a teacher with hope is at the lunch table with other teachers who have given up.
I came across Mr. Esquith's book by accident. Other books I've read this summer that have reinforced his message are Levine's "A Mind at a Time", Gardner's "The Unschooled Mind", and Gould's "The Biggest Job We'll Ever Have". And even though I've grown by reading and reflection, guess what? I'll still have to go to some useless In-service session and I'll get no credit for REAL professional growth. Such is the educational establishment, as Mr. Esquith so eloquently points out.
No, this book is not Wong's "First Days of School." It's an inspirational book and a diary of one teacher's battle to achieve high standards against a wave of mediocrity.
The Right Stuff, April 29, 2003
Reviewer: A reader from Los Angeles, CA
This was an inspirational book that moved me deeply. Though many of the stories were humorous, I clearly understood the pathos of Rafe's life process--I cried several times while reading. While he struggled to find meaning in his own life, he gave others the opportunity to fulfill their dreams and aspirations. We, as parents, try to teach our children good citizenship, and hope that during the school day teachers will continue that goal. It is gratifying to see this happening in a public school classroom.
I especially love the economic system he uses in the classroom. These children are learning a lot about life skills. It makes me wish I had been in his class for the fifth grade. They have such fun!
The book was an enjoyable read with many poignant stories about the children of today.
Wonderful work, but..., October 15, 2003
Reviewer: hmigdo1 (see more about me) from Washington, DC
I admire the author. He has an intense dedication to his students. However, having read the book during my second year of teaching, I can tell you that a teacher should not have to sacrifice his/her life to be successful. I hope other teachers of low income children do not feel guilty that their eleven hour days do not stack up to the insane number of hours this teacher spends on his children.
Inspiring and Nostalgic, September 29, 2003
Reviewer: Robin K Mizuno from Reno, NV United States
The inspirations he gives to his students are amazing, he brings out the best from each and every one of them. Although I was not fortunate enough to be part of his everyday class, I was invited to participate in his Math Team and was allowed to sit in his class during my vacation to experience his magic. I've had many great and inspirational teachers since '92, but Rafe was the one who made me realize that living in poverty does not mean I am doomed to never get out. Mr. Esquith in my opinion single handedly changed my life. This book takes you through a full year in the life of being a student in Rafe's class. Rafe is a rarity among teachers. Those who read his book should realize that the author does not expect every teacher to teach the way he does. But by taking some his ideas and implementing them in their curriculum, it may inspire the students to want to become better citizens and teachers to want to become better teachers. Teaching in a class of 40-50 students in two different grades (in 1992 when I was in his class he taught 5th and 6th grade) in a low income neighborhood where every student of his spoke English as a second language is daunting enough regardless whether they were in GATE or not.
Rafe is an incredible individual with tremendous heart. Teachers, students, and parents should read this book and know that there are teachers out there that believe in the future of their students regardless of the bureaucracy they may face.
An outstanding book!, September 19, 2003
Reviewer: Elizabeth M. von Briesen (see more about me) from Charlotte, NC USA
As a mother of young children, I found this book to be extremely helpful in terms of understanding the condition of education today, and where I might best extend my efforts at supplementing at home. I think it is a bit of a stretch to expect the average teacher to employ all of his tactics, as they would have little time left for their own families, but certainly there are many good ideas to work with.
I completely agree that the reading programs we find in public schools today are grossly inadequate, and that they take much of the joy out of reading. Unfortunately, for most teachers, if they want to keep their jobs they must follow the scripted lessons. I am not certain what the best answer would be for their situation, but I am happy to work at home to provide the books and instruction necessary to instill a love of reading and literature in my children.
