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A review by seduced_with_literature
Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me by Kate Clanchy
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
A fantastic account of a middle class teacher, predominantly in a lower/working class setting.
The tales are filled with love, diversity, passion, a love of poetry but it also does show how middle class (I am generalising much as Clanchy does) look down on the lower classes.
So part of me has a strong dislike for Clanchy as I can only hear the echo of those teachers I experienced but hold their inclusive values as badge of honour.
I do feel it embodies the idea that we give and receive a little to every person we interact with, in this case every child we teach. It reminds me of what I loved so much of teaching, my own group of young people with such a deep understanding for the real world outside of academia which a lot of educators in my experience treat as myth. Clanchy is clearly passionate for a school setting that is as rich in these experiences (often tragic) as she is its position on league tables and academic recognition. I do have some admiration for the women who's words filled the pages as she is exactly who I aspired to be when I started teaching but as she highlights the emotional depth that comes from teaching that is far beyond the lesson plans or any training you receive before entering the profession.
I have since read a few more in depth reviews and clearly this work is somewhat fictional, but then I think its rare to come across anyone who truly acknowledges their own faults (I have read a good number of autobiographies that do, I feel they have all a more humble background though).
Clanchy also rather consistently highlights patterns that form from only a multicultural dynamic, but It also loads into the classism in place, and how this can be deeply impactful on young people and the opportunities delivered to them, especially through the eyes of teachers who simple see no future for the young people and therefore fail them by not providing them the same dedication.
A highly recommend read, especially for teachers and educators. Although I was tempted to lower my rating based on the controversy surrounding the racism, classism and general nastiness of the author I am maintaining 5 stars as I did thoroughly enjoy the writing and stories contained I couldn't wait to read more and that Is what I want most from any book I pick up.
The tales are filled with love, diversity, passion, a love of poetry but it also does show how middle class (I am generalising much as Clanchy does) look down on the lower classes.
So part of me has a strong dislike for Clanchy as I can only hear the echo of those teachers I experienced but hold their inclusive values as badge of honour.
I do feel it embodies the idea that we give and receive a little to every person we interact with, in this case every child we teach. It reminds me of what I loved so much of teaching, my own group of young people with such a deep understanding for the real world outside of academia which a lot of educators in my experience treat as myth. Clanchy is clearly passionate for a school setting that is as rich in these experiences (often tragic) as she is its position on league tables and academic recognition. I do have some admiration for the women who's words filled the pages as she is exactly who I aspired to be when I started teaching but as she highlights the emotional depth that comes from teaching that is far beyond the lesson plans or any training you receive before entering the profession.
I have since read a few more in depth reviews and clearly this work is somewhat fictional, but then I think its rare to come across anyone who truly acknowledges their own faults (I have read a good number of autobiographies that do, I feel they have all a more humble background though).
Clanchy also rather consistently highlights patterns that form from only a multicultural dynamic, but It also loads into the classism in place, and how this can be deeply impactful on young people and the opportunities delivered to them, especially through the eyes of teachers who simple see no future for the young people and therefore fail them by not providing them the same dedication.
A highly recommend read, especially for teachers and educators. Although I was tempted to lower my rating based on the controversy surrounding the racism, classism and general nastiness of the author I am maintaining 5 stars as I did thoroughly enjoy the writing and stories contained I couldn't wait to read more and that Is what I want most from any book I pick up.