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Wednesday 5 March 2014

What teachers make a review

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 Recently I read a book titled 'What teachers make' written by Taylor Mali.  It is a very  inspiring book for the teaching community.  Mali, himself a teacher and a poet, is unable to tolerate  criticism against the teachers. People generally believe that the teachers are not paid good salary. He says that it is a false notion that teaching as a profession is a last  alternative for the young men. Mr. Mali  has written about the conditions prevalent  in USA ,but his views are are universally  applicable. 

Mali, himself a teacher, was inspired to write the book, after he heard a sneering comments on the  profession by a rich man in a  party. He refutes them and his sharp intellect pays  a tribute to the joys of teaching. He goes on to write that teachers are so vital to the society. In the very beginning of the book  the author says that children spend more time with the teacher than the parents. His advice to the parents is  'let the child be' and see what wonders the child can  achieve. In class eight, when he speaks of writing a poem, he finds that initially the boys seem lost, but by encouragement and  inspiration the children  create such poems that even he is  surprised to see the  perfection in their work.

He has made another valid point. Some people  look down on the teacher when they take up some part time  jobs. His contention is that the teacher has to support a family. At least the teacher is not cheating the society like  those who indulge in  tactics to earn money through  illegal means. 

All most every chapter starts with an inspiring quote by gems  of society. Take for example a quote by George Bernard Shaw,"I am not a teacher, only a fellow traveler of whom you asked the way. I pointed ahead------ ahead  of myself  as well as of you."  Such inspiring quotations are helpful for the students.  He  feels very upset when people call the teachers greedy and lazy. A teacher has to teach in the class, at the same time , he has  to spend  time at home preparing what he has to teach the children the next day.  The teachers must let the whole world  know how important and difficult is their job. He says that he would prefer that his students leave his class with some doubt, so that they  may make an effort to clear their doubt by applying their brain.

Taylor Mali's book is like a treasure which can be shared by all the teachers. It is a valentine to the teachers. It is the right book at the right time in defense of teachers,as to why we need them now and forever.

This prompt is written in response to Write Tribe Festival of Words 3 about a book 'What Teachers Make'.

28 comments:

  1. Looks like an interesting read . Will include this too in my to read ones :)
    And this post sees both of us write on similar themes ;)

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    1. Thank you so much Sreeja. I could not find your post. I don't know how I missed it.

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  2. "I am not a teacher, only a fellow traveller of whom you asked the way. I pointed ahead------ ahead of myself as well as of you" This aptly sums up the role of a teacher. Glad that somebody spoke in favour of teachers and in support of them! Thanks for sharing about this book, Ma'am :)

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    1. Thank you Shilpa. I liked the quotation very much.

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  3. I know a friend who will dearly love this.. thank you!

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  4. I love these books about teachers. I believe that nobody influences us more than teachers, at times even more than our parents teachers are the ones who impact us and our actions.

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    1. Thank you Ishihaa. Yes it is true that teachers influence us more than anyone else.

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  5. I always have high regards for teaching. Was a teacher myself in the medical field for awhile and some day would like to return back to it...

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    1. Thanks Dr, Roshan. I am glad that you have regards for teachers. These days teachers are looked down upon.

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  6. A book about teachers already has my attention then, it is a lovely subject to choose. Goes in my to be read list!

    Richa

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    1. Thank you Richa. This book is published by Berklay Publishers for penguin group, New York.

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  7. Never heard of this book before but would love to read it for sure since I havent read any book about teachers till date.

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    1. Jyotsna I am glad that you want to read this book. It is published by Berklay Publishers for Penguin Group, New York.

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  8. Teaching is a noble profession and definitely not an easy one.This applies to those who are passionate about their jobs. Sometimes people enter into it without any passion thinking anybody can teach. That's very harmful to the students and society in general

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    1. Yes Jaishree you are correct. Every body cannot be a teacher. Only those who love children and are passionate about this profession, can be a good teacher.

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  9. I think I'll like this book :) I'm not a teacher, but I admire teachers, and like inspiring quotes too. I'll look for a copy soonest, Usha ji.

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    1. Leo I am glad that you admire teachers. This book is published by Berklay Publishers for Penguin group, New York.

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  10. Being an educator I can relate to the thoughts of the author and appreciate them too...thanks for sharing this valuable information

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    1. Thank you Sheela. I am also an educationist and therefore understand your love for this subject.

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  11. I have done a few teaching stints in schools and also in a college and know the influence the teacher has on her students. Your review has me thinking about reading this book.

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    1. Thank you Sulekha. It is true that teachers have a great influence on the students. The name of the publisher of this book is given in Pixie's comments.

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  12. I have always admired and respected the good teachers I've had in my life. I'm sure I will enjoy the book as its quite inspiring.

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    1. Thank you Pixie for your views on the teachers. The book is published by Berklay Publishers for Penguin Group, New York.

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  13. Oh, it seems like a lovely tribute to the teachers. Will recommend this book to my teacher friends who are low on motivation.

    Today, If there is any job that is thankless in cash as well as kind that is teaching job ma'am. i have heard from teachers around me how they are overworked and underpaid. Many are under pressure from the management to overdo and to meet the management's expectation has led many to lifestyle diseases like spondylitis and BP.

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    1. Thank you Asha for enlightening the plight of teachers in your city. I know many private schools exploit the teachers. They pay less but burden the teachers and treat them their servants. It is very unfortunate! In Delhi, the situation is not so bad. Government School teachers get very good salary.

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  14. Teacher is a very respected profession and salary is nevr justification for doing your job sincerely..its always the ethics of a person.

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  15. Teaching is a very noble profession ans whatever little I have achieved today in life is because of my wonderful teachers. It's an interesting read and brings back college memories of my Eco teacher who told us that they have not been paid for three months and they are still working. She told us, 'Teaching is a passion and not just a job for us.'

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