Teacher: Mastering the Art and Craft of Teaching

Most teacher manuals talk about what teachers need to do. That's useful enough, especially for new teachers. But no list, however long, can anticipate every circumstance, and in teaching unusual circumstances are an integral part of everyday life. But how do experienced teachers know what to do? Successful teachers develop a Teaching Character; they've worked on the qualities and personality traits that they need in order to cope successfully with the full spectrum of situations that being a teacher can involve. Veterans don't ask themselves, 'What does the teaching guide book tell me?' when confronted with difficult situations - they react instinctively, based on the character skills they've developed over time. Unfortunately, for most people this process of learning is unguided, and unconscious. It's time for a self-help manual that actually helps. This book includes case studies and anecdotes, chapter summaries and humorous illustrations to help teachers reflect on what it means to be a teacher, and why it is the most rewarding profession there is.

Table of Contents:
Section One: What does it Mean to Be a Teacher? \ 1. Why You Need to Read this Book \ 2. The Hidden History of Teachers \ 3. How Policy is Made \ 4. Teachers of the World \ 5. Get Me to the Greeks \ Section Two: Developing Your Own Teaching Character \ 6. I am the Law: Judgement \ 7. Lion Taming: Courage \ 8. I am Waiting: Patience \ 9. I am the Adult: Wisdom \ 10. If at First you don't Succeed: Perseverance \ 11. They are Only Children: Compassion \ 12. The Dangers of the Profession \ Section Three: The Workout \ 13. Pumping Iron: Continual Character Development and Sharing Good Practice \ 14. Keeping in Shape: Perpetual Professional Development and Following the Right Career Path \ Index

About the Author :
Tom Bennett is a teacher in East London, the chair of an independent group advising the Department of Education on behaviour, and the founder of the grass-roots and teacher-led researchED movement.

Review :
'This is a deeply thoughtful guide to becoming a better teacher. Bennett's book is full of practical wisdom rooted in sound philosophy and long experience. His use of virtue ethics is a masterstroke, cutting a swathe through the tick-box and checklist culture so as to reveal the very essence of good teaching: good character. The ideas and strategies Bennett provides are perfectly pitched for the busy professional, whatever stage of their career they are in. All in all, this is a book which gives the reader practical and effective solutions to the question which everyone in the profession asks themselves: how can I get better? The answers, ladies and gentlemen, are within.' Mike Gershon, sociology teacher, King Edward VI School, Bury St Edmunds, UK 'Tom Bennett is the voice of the modern teacher. Everyone involved in education wants to be the best they can be, to do all that we can for our young people, and Tom gets 'us' as a profession. Teachers, and everyone who wants to understand how modern education should work, need to read what Tom Bennett says so that they can be inspired, informed and generally get more of a grip on the reality of how to function in a 21st century school. You will be a better teacher if you read this book!' Stephen Drew, Senior Vice-Principal, Passmores Academy, UK, featured school on Channel 4's Educating Essex 'This is a book all teachers need to read, whether they be in training, newly qualified or experienced. It contains a wealth of golden nuggets for being an effective and efficient teacher, as well as providing an understanding of the current context of classroom life. Quite simply, this is one of the best and most useful books I have read about what we do, and need to do as teachers.'John d'Abbro, OBE, Head of the New Rush Hall Group and Headteacher on Channel 4's Jamie's Dream School