Spectacular Things Happen Along the Way: Lessons from an Urban Classroom

I have had the honor to not only know Dr. Schultz, but also his students from room 405. I was a fifth grade teacher at the time, and I tried to get my students involved with what his students were fighting for by them serving as pen pals and by personally making a visit to the school to witness their fight. Brian is a gifted educator who inspires the reader to reflect upon how they teach and learn. Whether or not the reader is a teacher is irrelevant. Humans constantly teach and learn throughout their lifetime. Brian demonstrates that when given some choice in what is deemed important to the student, authentic and meaningful learning can and will occur. This is true in both children and adults. This journey was important for the students of room 405 as well as for Brian. The students were given choice in what they would learn and how, and the teacher learned while taking the journey with them. Teaching and learning embrace each other, and Brian shows us that through his experiences with his students. This is a must-read not only for teachers and administrators, but for parents and those who are lifelong learners.

In his book, Spectacular Things Happen Along the Way, author Brian D. Schultz, narrates the astonishing efforts of his class of fifth grade students who fight for basic resources in their school, William D. Carr Community Academy, in Cabrini Green neighborhood, located on the near North-side of the city of Chicago. Schultz' narrative account of this urban school is a teacher's voice echoed in the actions of his students who struggle to revive the empty promise made to them of a new school building by city officials. The students along with the teacher tap into the real life issues of politics and race. They voice their concerns and stand up for what they believe. Spectacular Things Happen Along the Way is a journey of these children along with their mentor from their classroom walls into the practical world of reality. Together, they move every nook and cranny of political reform that is in their reach to work towards their goal and discover that amazing things have happened along the way of constant pursuit. This book is a celebration of all those spectacular things. From the countless stories that can be told from this experience, Schultz had authentically captured in a beautiful narration an example of democratic education in a real-life account. This book takes the readers on an emotional roller coaster of astonishment, a virtual struggle, and unbelievable exhilaration. This real-life story is the voice of an inner struggle of a teacher with his teaching philosophy juxtaposed with the outer struggle of the students trying to understand their situation, concluded with a celebration of the efforts and lessons learned. Teacher Brian Schultz builds the background of the importance of democratic teaching, and focuses on his theory of education in the light of the restraints put on educators in the wake of No Child Left Behind of 2001. He struggles with the association of academically inept and formulaic constraints on a child's learning and his ideology of providing opportunity and space for students. His beliefs give rise to a team of civic leaders who struggle to reach their aspirations and get their voices heard. The fifth-grade students learn to work with an amazing real life "curriculum" which helps them dip into the politics of education. Along the way, they learn skills and connect with concepts that they would not have learned with their basic textbook work. The book ends with the emphasis that sometimes learning along the way in the pursuit of achieving the goals is more valuable than the actual goal itself.

Truly one of the most inspiring and thought-provoking reads I've encountered in a long time. This book speaks to the very heart of what teaching and learning should be. Schultz takes you deep into the heart of room 405 where he and his 5th grade students are transformed into community activists fighting for justice in the form of a new school. This is a powerful story of students motivated to lead, and a teacher courageous enough to follow that lead. The hope, will, and tenacity of these students demonstrate what's possible in education when kids are engaged in authentic purposes for learning. This book is a must-read for anyone who cares about children, education, or the role of schools in creating an active citizenry. Rarely has a book made me feel so inspired. The journey of these students and their teacher, as the title suggests, is truly spectacular.

I have just finished reading Amazing Things...couldn't put it down! It is complex and deceptively simple at the same time. For those in academia, Brian manages to explain complex theories in understandable terms and show ,quite convincingly, that educational theories can, in fact, be put into practice quite successfully. More importantly, he shows that changes can be made through hard work, and the engagement of young students in planning, learning, doing and beginning to believe in themselves as agents of change. For those who are not in education, the book provides an optimistic and inspiring look at what young people, with the help of a dedicated teacher can accomplish- not all is wrong with education and schools today. As for politicians...a must read. Perhaps they would get a glimmer of understanding that this is the process to use for not leaveing any child behind. Thank you Brian for sharing your experiences with us - when is your next book coming out?

I read this book in one sitting. It is truly amazing, very provocative, and engaging. The book is the story and the journey of a teacher along with his students who worked together to solve a real problem--to get a new school building for the community. Room 405 shows that authentic learning and learning with a purpose is possible in schools today even amidst the imposition of particular knowledge from mandates like NCLB. I could not believe the deplorable environment within this school, but was awakened that an important lesson could be gained from the story: the possibility in co-creating curricula with students. Also it showed that students will get motivated by something important to them as they embody and to turn into practice the ideals of the democratic education in a Deweyan sense. It is one of the best books I have read ever since it provides vivid examples of how teachers can educate in hopeful, appropriate ways that accommodate the needs and interests of the students. This book needs to be widely read not only by educators, but by the general public and policy makers because it shows that there are hopeful possibilities in all people and that there is something better.