bermudaonion (Kathy)
Sandy
Beth F
Lisa
S. Krishna
Work Hard. Be Nice. – Book Review
Work Hard. Be Nice. by Jay Mathews
I received a copy of “Work Hard. Be Nice.” from the publisher recently. I was excited to read it, since it is about two alums of Teach for America and I am a Teach for America alum as well. However, I decided to allow my husband to read it first since he is still teaching and is very passionate about education reform and doing what is best for the students. Since giving it to him, I’ve become bogged down with review copies so, instead of reading it myself just yet, I submit for your reading pleasure a book review-interview.
Starting off, what is “Work Hard. Be Nice.” about?
It is about two Teach for America graduates – Dave Levin and Mike Feinberg – who were not satisfied with the standard public education system and decided to start their own charter school. They created what is now known as KIPP, the “Knowledge is Power Program.”
Does this talk much about their experiences in Teach for America?
It talked about how they struggled a lot in the first couple of years. Throughout their struggles, though, they had some really great mentor teachers who showed them the progress that could be made with their students.
What was it about their TFA experiences that led them to start their own charter school?
I wouldn’t say it was their TFA experiences, simply their experiences of being in the school system. They realized that if economically disadvantaged students were to even approach a level playing field in education, they had to work twice as hard as other students because they didn’t have the same advantages (tutors, etc) that students in higher economic brackets had. The current school system was just not providing an environment – such as longer school hours and motivated teachers – that enabled them to do so.
So how did they propose to remedy this inequality with their new charter school?
They had the kids in school from 7 am to 5 pm, but they also inspired the belief in their students that any one of them could get to college. They used a lot of highly energetic teaching styles and techniques so that everyone was involved and gave their home phone numbers to the students so that they could call them with questions at night with their homework. They did home visits and had the teacher, student and parents sign a commitment to excellence. Basically they wanted kids, families, and teachers to all be strongly invested in a student’s success.
This goes against a lot of the status quo. Did they encounter any negative pushback?
Definitely from their school district. They encountered resistance through bureaucratic and political slowdown; when they needed space for their program to grow, they would end up displaced or would get a lot of runaround. They had to keep fighting and fighting for the right thing for their students.
And did it pay off? All their fighting?
Definitely. From an organizational standpoint, they were able to keep their school and they now have around 66 schools and are still growing. More importantly, help their students make huge gains, things like moving from the 20th to the 80th percentile in both math and reading.
How did this book effect you personally?
It has inspired me not only to keep the fight going in my own school, but also to fight harder still. One of their mentors, Rafe Esquith, is mentioned in the book and that has led me to read the two books that are out about him and through those books and the stories in “Work Hard. Be Nice.”, I’ve come to realize that all really great teachers encounter heavy resistance from their school or districts when they want to better the education for their students, which helps me deal with any resistance I run into. The book has also inspired me to try to open up my own KIPP school and this summer I will be applying for their two-year fellowship, to start in the fall of 2010.
Who do you think would be interested in this book?
Teachers, parents, anyone interested in or concerned about the current state of public education. It definitely opens up your eyes a little bit. In addition, anyone that likes a success story, even if they’re not super interested in education. This is such an interesting book because these guys started from nothing and built up this nation-wide, hugely successful program.
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May 25th, 2009 | Category: Uncategorized
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Please leave some comment love! 10 comments
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Fabulous Q&A review. What a great idea. Sounds like an important book and I have teacher friends and relatives who should read it.
Beth F’s last blog post..Review: No Angel by Penny Vincenzi
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Nice review! I got it also but haven’t listened to it yet. But I did hear a bit about it from “Outliers” so I’m interested in learning more.
rhapsodyinbooks’s last blog post..Memorial Day Remembrance: Lynching of Black Veterans After World War II
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What a creative way to feature a book that you haven’t read. I have many of those myself. All I’ve come up with thus far is to offer them as part of a giveaway and feature the book during that post.
Literate Housewife’s last blog post..#166 ~ Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
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I didn’t realize you’re a Teach for America alum – you should do a post about your experience. This a great review – I can tell that your husband has a passion for teaching.
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I subscribe to your blog. Even though I read you every day, I only come to comment occasionally. This one drove me straight over to your blog site. Fantastic interview/review and book. The passion for teaching and children comes right off my computer screen. I care about this topic too and I’m glad to get some new book recommendations. I agree with Kathy that you (and your husband) should write about your experiences in TFA in your blog. I’d love reading them. Maybe I’d comment more often.
Margot’s last blog post..It’s Decoration Day
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Great interview-review, it’s really interesting to hear about it from a teacher’s viewpoint! Good luck to your husband with his ambitions. =)
Meghan’s last blog post..Review: Atlas of Unknowns, Tania James
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Very creative way to post a review! Love it! Yes, KIPP was mentioned in Outliers, and it sounded like an amazing premise. I would love to hear more about this!
Sandy’s last blog post..Monday Movie Meme – Watching Movies
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Let us know how it works out with your husband – wish him luck from me!
Lorin’s last blog post..Review: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
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I enjoyed this Q&A and I say more power to you in trying to start your own KIPP!!
Staci’s last blog post..Jack Reacher Giveaway!!!!!
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Great way to do a review, I enjoyed reading it. I am a teacher and I now have to read this book. Good luck to your husband!
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