Anonymous (126)

Here is an excerpt from this anonymous private high school teacher in New York City.

In the end, the most important curriculum a teacher will ever study is the student body. In time, the appeal of any given course will fade. But as long as you find the students interesting — as long as they entertain, bemuse, provoke, or enlighten — you’ll have something worthwhile to do. (p. 81)

The sample above reflects the nature of this work. It consists of vignettes of class discussions and other show more situations in the school with a mix of reflections on those events. However, if you are looking for a coherent philosophy or set of ideas, then I suggest looking elsewhere. show less

The Secret Teacher of literature studies thinks, On his first day at an inner-city state that he will teach students literature, poetry, culture. I will teach them The Waste Land! I will be the Best Teacher Who Has Ever Live but as soon as he enter the class he got a the reality check.

The class he is made to cut his teeth on are an unruly mob stuffed with behavioural issues. There is:

Milosz, who is put in detention for committing the sin of Onan with a Pritt Stick
Kieran, the class show more rebel
Donnie, a hard-working kid desperate for approval
Mercedes, a volatile rude girl
and Salim, who loves Bollywood and the number 5.

Somehow, The Secret Teacher needs to enthuse this lot with a love of books. Or at least keep them sitting at their desks until the end of the lesson. He made them read books and Donnie did well and few others also but soon he realised that just by putting pressure they are harming there creativity instinct.

And then he's got to deal with the Observations, marking, standardisations, book checks, OFSTED, Educational Consultants, spreadsheets, personal statements, school trips, strikes, class, race, love, death, birth, manhood, dry cleaning, the end of literary culture, the end of the Old World, the whole shebang , he fell stressed and he took tension of everything and everybody including his pregnant wife. Under such observation when he want child growth but giving them good marks and partial in decision is making his condition worst.

In this vivid account of his first few years in the classroom, The Secret Teacher grapples with the complicated questions of how to teach, how we learn - and how little he actually knows. He celebrates the world's greatest stories, the extraordinary teachers he has worked with, and the kids: bolshy, bright, funny and absolutely electric. The result is a book brimful of wit, insight and tenderness. One must read and enjoy the humour. show less