Book Review: Teacher Man by Frank McCourt
What a wonderful self-affirming true story for teachers everywhere. If only we
could put it in his words! The author of Angela's Ashes recounts his years in the
public school system of New York. And what a story it is! Early in the book in his
first days at a technical school he recounts a classroom out of control. A sandwich
has been tossed back and forth to land on the floor. He picks up the sandwich. He
describes the sandwich. Not your ordinary white bread and baloney, but a dark rich
bread, with peppers and tomatoes and hand cut baloney. Redolent of peppers and
pickles. With a sprinkling of olive oil...
"I ate the sandwich!"
Very long pause....
Can you imagine? In front of a class?
McCourt is not the goody teacher guy we expect. He has trouble at home, goes for
psychiatric care at the behest of his wife. Enters Trinity College in Dublin in
pursuit of a doctoral degree and fails. Is divorced.
He teaches creative writing—recipes, music, the arts. Is chastised as this is not
part of the curriculum!
Lovely!
A teacher's dream come true. Read it!
Adam Janowski
Library Media Specialist
Naples High School
1100 Golden Eagle Circle
Naples, FL 34102
E-mail: NHSWebmaster@collier.k12.fl.us
Phone: 239-377-2210
Fax: 239-377-2370
Library web site: http://collier.k12.fl.us/nhs/lmc/
School web site: http://collier.k12.fl.us/nhs/
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