I Choose to Stay: A Black Teacher Refuses to Desert the Inner City

Salome Thomas-El's book, I CHOOSE TO STAY is both a memoir and inspirational tale of his unrelenting dedication to inner city schools. Born one of eight kids, he began his life in the projects of Philadelphia. Even as a child, he showed dedication to his community and a thirst for knowledge. Most of his fondest memories are of teachers who supported, encouraged, and helped to mold him into the man he is today. After high school, Thomas-El attended East Stroudsburg University, a predominantly white institution where he had to fight hard against prejudices and racism. Upon graduation, he pursued a career in broadcasting, but soon he was called on to teach. After teaching in several suburban schools, Thomas-El realized that he could give back more to his community by teaching in inner city schools. Once he had the opportunity, he began transforming the students and the schools by establishing a chess club, Saturday schools, and several tutorial programs. Students have gone on to attend colleges and win national chess championships under his guidance. Although he has been offered several lucrative contracts from suburban schools, he declines to take them, knowing that helping these children is much more rewarding than anything that money can buy.I CHOOSE TO STAY is a must read for anyone in the education system. It shows how one man's vision, dedication, and perseverance helped transform a school system, and encourage students who were otherwise lost. Salome Thomas-El exemplifies what it means to be a teacher and many can learn from hearing his story.Reviewed by Latoya Carter-Qawiyy of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

I Choose to Stay is a fantastically written book desribing a journey of a inner city teacher. Salome Thomas-El, is an inspiration to people in every industry. He challenges us to take a look at what is going in the inner city schools, not just in Philadelphia, but in our hometown cties as well. It is a book about one man's loyalty, devotion, and courage to make life better for the children of inner city Philadelphia. A book that can teach us all a little bit about what we can accomplish. A Great Read!

Mr. Thomas-El is rare in the city of Philadelphia. Or any inner-city in America. First, he is a young black male teacher. Second, he actually cares and believes in his inner-city children. Where everyone else has written us off, Mr. Thomas-El "chooses to stay." He is truely amazing. I am a testament to what Thomas-El has done at Vaux Middle School.I was a player on one of Mr. Thomas-El's nationally known chess teams between 1989 and 1992. I am now a third year law student at Temple University School of Law. See, Vaux students have been fighting against the odds our entire lives. Mr. Thomas-El gave us the tools to apply the strategies of chess to the game of life. His belief in his children is no small deal. His belief in us allowed us to believe in ourselves. I am extremely happy that Mr. Thomas-El has stuck it out in the public schools. Most commodities such as himself would have left a long time ago.Someone finally realized how special our students are at Vaux Middle School; it's about time

As a teacher, administrator and now college professor, I have always shied away from the game of chess because I felt that it was too complicated. But being a former math major with the ability to see algebraic patterns this book inspired me to take up the game. The students from Vaux Middle School were extremely impressive and an inspiration to every educator. As a college professor, who teaches graduate students in education, I often speak of high expectations for all students. I will constantly refer to this book and the students of Vaux as the role model. When you have high expectations for all students and teach them to have the same, they will meet and exceed the standards of high academic excellence. Too often, teachers have low expectations for minority, inner city, and impoverished children. They equate poverty with the lack of the ability to do high level rigorous work. I will utilize the lessons and stories from Mr. Thomas-EL to continue to motivate teachers in helping all students achieve. Each time the students from Vaux Middle School were challenged to use their brains they were able to extend to the next level. Teachers need to help all students rise to that challenge. I felt so proud of the students, and I would like to say CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. Thomas-El on publishing this book and on his true dedication to the students of Philadelphia.

I choose to stay is an intensely moving story of courage and compassion. It is a tender, touching, sometimes achingly painful, testament to the power of determination and courage. This book tells a telling story of a dedicated educator who is determined to overcome any obstacle in order to stengthen and challenge our kids.