Images of Schoolteachers in America

By Gail E. Burnaford and Pamela Bolotin Joseph

Book Overview

This book explores images of schoolteachers in America from the beginning of the 20th century to the present, using a wide range of approaches to scholarship and writing. It is intended for both experienced and aspiring teachers to use as a springboard for discussion and reflection about the teaching profession and for contemplating these questions:

What does it mean to be a teacher?
What has influenced and sustained our beliefs about teachers?

New in the second edition
* The focus is shifted to the teaching profession as the 21st century unfolds.
* The volume continues to explore teacher images through various genres--oral history, narrative, literature, and popular culture. In the second edition, the authors place more emphasis on the social-political context that has shaped teachers' daily experiences and the teaching profession itself. In the study of teacher images and schooling, the essays draw from feminist research methods and the critical tradition in educational inquiry to probe issues of power and authority, race, social class, and gender.
* The emphasis is on the multidimensionality of teacher images rather than normative characterizations.
* Six totally new chapters have been written for this new edition: an "invented interview" spanning 100 years of school teaching; portraits of progressive activist teachers; an exploration of teachers in fiction for young adults; a retrospective of the satirical cartoon show, The Simpsons; a study of crusading and caring teachers in films; and an overview of progressive classroom practices in "the new millennium." Seven chapters have been thoroughly revised to reflect current scholarship and the authors' evolving knowledge and interests.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0805830871
• ISBN13: 9780805830873
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.9" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Perspectives from 20th century teachers

This book was an interesting and captivating read! It begins with a fictional interview of teacher whose career spans a hundred years. The interview was informative and creative. It provided insights into experiences from the early 1900s through the late 1900s. Problems in the teaching profession as well rewards were portrayed. Many of the problems and rewards are still prevalent today. Throughout the book, perspectives from a variety of teachers and their experiences help to share the American educational experience in the 20th century. Some perspectives included are rural teachers, city teachers, female teachers, male teachers, teachers of color, and teacher activists, etc.A number of issues were addressed, such as stereotypes, male dominated bureaucratic school systems, unequal pay, training and certification, community and parent expectations, teaching in urban areas, and developments in reforms are just a few to mention. The teachers interviewed and portrayed offered a wealth of reflection, experience, insight and hope for the future. As a classroom teacher, I was able to make connections with the history of American education with my current practice. I would recommend this book to all educators!

Therapy for Teachers

Editors of this book explore the teaching profession through recounting oral and written history from both educators and non-educators, and through reflections about the contemporary teaching experience. In discussing the past, present, and future roles, views, and professional presence of teachers in America, stereotypes and metaphors are illuminated. While this text presents a variety of perspectives, it does not do so without a focused judgment, as the authors of the included articles, "take strong positions on the nature of teaching in classrooms and teachers' roles in their communities and in the greater society." A very readable compilation, this text is interesting as well as informative. As a new teacher, I found it helpful as a professional resource and as a means of support to read confessions and expressions of real teachers (retired, working, and beginning) who struggle and grapple with similar issues, concerns and wonderings as I do. I would recommend this book to teachers at all levels of their careers, parents who are curious about the educational system, and anyone who feels loving support for, a desire to initiate change in, or a confusion or frustration about the public schools of America. Joseph and Burnaford have provided readers with a comprehensive and intriguing glimpse into one aspect of education, providing insight into the good, the bad, and the ugly of the schoolteacher profession.

Good Primer for New Educators

I've chosen to review this book because I found it to be the most useful and easy to read books in my graduate studies. I enjoyed the way the book gave a well-rounded history of the evolution of teachers throughout the past century. The book shows the fine line teachers walk, even today, to show administrators, fellow teachers, students and parents they have the proper level of competency and compassion for the job. One key idea I took away from the book was that as a teacher you need to find the right level of personality to show students you can be stern but compassionate so they respect you but also be willing to work hard for you.I really think you will enjoy the first chapter - a mock interview with a teacher who discusses teaching and seeing the massive changes over the past 100 years - it's a great way to get a quick history lesson. The book also gives you a glimpse of the power teachers have to affect lives in the classroom as well as with the way the future of education will transpire.This book shows how the business model of thinking spilled over and started to shape the way we look at education in the early 20th century. Teachers were looked upon more as machinery within the company assembly line to manufacture students that could successfully function in society.Being new to education it was interesting reading about the evolution of teachers in America and seeing how cyclical education is and that some of the same issues that confronted teachers 100 years ago are still being dealt with today - like male controlled administrations and school boards, the lack of resources, classroom size and lack of diversity.I would definitely recommend this book to those just starting out (like myself) or those who are thinking about going into education to get an excellent primer.

Hopeful Glimpses

As a young teacher, I found this book extremely helpful. It discusses the history of the teaching experience in a very approachable and understandable way. Unlike most "history of education" pieces, Joseph and Burnaford find a style that does not bombard the reader with ancient facts and redundant conclusions about reform. Instead, these editors compile their research through anecdotes and narratives which allows the teachers they chronicle jump off the page. They discuss the personal experiences of many teachers through the course of the 20th century. They pool teachers from many discourses and communities to create a rich tapestry of "images" to read about. They discuss these people's ability to make change not only in their individual classrooms but also in this field as well.This book has a very optimistic tone to it which is sometimes needed to balance out the many cynics of the public education system in the US.This tone however might turn some readers off in that it does not address the challeges and struggles of these teachers as realistically as it could. These stories are uplifting but at times too promising.Overall, I felt this was a quick and enjoyable read. I would recommend it to future educators to gain inspiration and seasoned professionals that need a boost in their day.