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A review by cassiesnextchapter
Adequate Yearly Progress by Roxanna Elden
4.0
Full Book Review
What a smart, witty, and fun book! A tongue-in-cheek look at the shortcomings of school systems - especially when they're managed from the outside.
Although I'm not a teacher, I have plenty of family and friends who have had some strong words about the school system. Too many hoops to jump through, the hurdles to actually teaching the material when they're bogged down with test-prep, the likelihood of burnout, the range of attitudes and capabilities of the teaching staff, and the abundance of frustrations with students and fellow staff. Adequate Yearly Progress addresses all these topics brilliantly, and with a healthy dose of snark.
I enjoy the wide range of characters - their approaches to teaching as well as life, what motivates them, and the bonds they form (or don't). The way Elden wraps up each storyline feels just right and balanced. Nothing too drastic, but not everything perfect in the end...just like life.
Overall, this is a fantastic satirical look at the nuances of a public school through the eyes of its teachers. It portrays the dichotomy of teaching perfectly: the moments of pride when you know you've made a difference in a student's life...that end up getting squashed by the things that completely suck the joy out of teaching.
Thank you to Atria Books for a complimentary copy of this advanced reader’s edition in exchange for my honest opinion.
What a smart, witty, and fun book! A tongue-in-cheek look at the shortcomings of school systems - especially when they're managed from the outside.
Although I'm not a teacher, I have plenty of family and friends who have had some strong words about the school system. Too many hoops to jump through, the hurdles to actually teaching the material when they're bogged down with test-prep, the likelihood of burnout, the range of attitudes and capabilities of the teaching staff, and the abundance of frustrations with students and fellow staff. Adequate Yearly Progress addresses all these topics brilliantly, and with a healthy dose of snark.
I enjoy the wide range of characters - their approaches to teaching as well as life, what motivates them, and the bonds they form (or don't). The way Elden wraps up each storyline feels just right and balanced. Nothing too drastic, but not everything perfect in the end...just like life.
Overall, this is a fantastic satirical look at the nuances of a public school through the eyes of its teachers. It portrays the dichotomy of teaching perfectly: the moments of pride when you know you've made a difference in a student's life...that end up getting squashed by the things that completely suck the joy out of teaching.
Thank you to Atria Books for a complimentary copy of this advanced reader’s edition in exchange for my honest opinion.