Charles McGuire - The Best Advice Ever for Teachers

The Best Advice Ever for Teachers copyright 2001 by Charles McGuire. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of reprints in the context of reviews.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

McGuire, Charles.

The best advice ever for teachers / [compiled by] Charles McGuire and Diana Abitz ; edited by Patrick Dobson.

p. cm.

ISBN 0-7407-1011-7

1. TeachersQuotations. 2. TeachingQuotations, maxims, etc. I. Abitz, Diana. II. Dobson, Patrick. III. Title.

LB1775 .M315 2001

371.1dc21

2001020426

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They really make lives happen.

They do. I love teachers.

A L P ACINO, ON RECEIVING THE C ECIL B . D E M ILLE L IFETIME A CHIEVEMENT G OLDEN G LOBE A WARD (2001)

P acino attributed much of his success in films to his high school drama teacher. And like Pacino, we all have a story of a teacher. It could be the college professor who opened up a world of wonder in a profession or field of study we never dreamed of before. Or the high school or grade school teacher who fired an interest in a career that never ceased.

Teaching is at once a vastly important and underrated profession. Despite low pay and constant criticism, teachers tend our most precious asset as a society and civilizationthe minds of students. They try, against all obstacles, to pass on the accumulated knowledge, energy, and creativity of our culture. Often, they achieve wild success despite the difficulties.

Only gifted and dedicated people last in a profession whose constant is change. Teachers must not only perform and achieve according to standards, but they must also become babysitters, caregivers, nurses, and sometimes transportation services. These added responsibilities demand tremendous energy, patience, and fortitudenot to mention an interest in the profession and need to train and retrain.

This is a book that will give successful teachers perspective. The experts, educators, professionals, and coaches speaking here will inspire teachers to even greater successfor themselves and their charges.

This is also a book for difficult times. The demands of the profession will give most teachers pause. Doubt is a constant companion, and staying motivated is sometimes difficult. The words here serve to remind teachers that even in the darkest moments, a bit of humor, a change of attitude, and a motivational or inspirational word of advice to students can help to turn a day, a quarter, or semester around.

Patrick Dobson, editor