Teaching: Making Sense of an Uncertain Craft

As I enter my MA program in Education, McDonald's book is "required" summer reading. I began this book with my usual mix of skepticism and frivolousness; being a teacher of English, I much prefer reading literature and educational texts more closely associated with my practice (i.e. Lisa Delpit, Sarah Lawrence-Lightfoot, Gloria Ladson-Billings, etc.). I made it three pages before I realized how essential McDonald's primer is to all educators. Not only does he navigate the complexities of teaching with some ease, he validates the chaos surrounding our practice. I firmly believe that "reading teaching" is a crucial component of improving pedagogical practice. I was motivated to embrace McDonald's perspective; I am forming a "study group" at my school and renewing my commitment to "reading teaching." Whether you're a principal, teacher, school board member or motivated parent trying to make sense of what it means to teach and what it means to study teaching, I highly recommend McDonald's text.