Green spends most of her time exploring math pedagogy. I found it interesting but since I am not a math teacher I was a less interested and think she should have examined other disciplines as well. I do agree that more attention should be paid to pedagogy. She clearly debunks the myth that teachers are born. Teaching is a skill that can be taught and teaching programs need to improve in this area so that new teachers are better prepared for the classroom. All teachers benefit from additional training in the skill of teaching. Japanese teachers learn from each other and perfect their lessons to encourage deep understanding and critical thinking. We would do well to adopt a similar strategy in the US. Green does a fantastic job of explaining why teaching is difficult, and why most of us don't understand how difficult it is. She digs into the history of teaching teachers to help readers see how/why the craft of teaching has been neglected for so long. I left the book feeling a bit hopeful and dismayed. Hopeful that the craft of teaching is getting the attention it deserves in academic circles, but dismayed that politics may prevent us from doing what is right for our nation's teachers and learners.
One of the best books on education I've ever read. So on point, thoughtful and thorough.
—picyadri
370.711 G7958 2014
—Aokiirohana
Teaching is hard.
—trulyprecious
