Review by Choice Review
The authors focus consciously on teaching as an art, centering their book on the human qualities of teachers. They define the qualities that make great teaching by highlighting the form and shape these qualities take in the classroom. They portray good and bad, outstanding and marginal teachers. Although the teachers depicted are not actual persons, they represent teachers the authors knew or observed. Concrete examples add realism to chapters with such topics as authority, ethics, compassion, and patience. Readers will identify with these examples and recall their own experiences in learning situations. Banner and Cannon's book will be easy but worthwhile reading for those who teach, prepare others to teach, or work with teachers attempting to strengthen their own level of professional performance. All levels. G. E. Pawlas; University of Central Florida
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review
Considering teaching a calling, not merely a vocation, Banner and Cannon posit the essential qualities of a teacher as they've observed them from lifetimes in the field. For teachers either worn out or full of energy, Banner and Cannon's exhortations and admonishments ought to be inspiring, for their regard for teaching as a noble endeavor permeates this short tract. They're not just strokers of self-esteem, however; a certain degree of committed self-denial, they argue, is the mark of great teachers. Much as teachers might like individual students, they must be scrupulously evenhanded. If bored by slow learners, they must also be imaginative enough to break through to them. The authors arrange such axioms under value-laden headings such as "Authority," "Ethics," and "Compassion," followed by composite sketches of a teacher embodying or sloughing off their principles. The authors hope their observations will serve as a catalyst for teachers to discuss excellence among themselves and cause those considering the career to assess their own suitability. An effective, reflective guide. --Gilbert Taylor
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Teaching as an art is given much-needed attention in this guided tour through its intricacies by two experienced and empathetic cicerones. Banner, formerly of the Princeton history faculty, and Cannon, former dean at Manhattanville College, speak to teachers and aspirants about the personal qualities of those they deem good teachers. Rather than focus on the techniques of imparting knowledge, the authors emphasize the human factor-those qualities that either are natural or can be acquired. Drawing on their own varied teaching experiences and using fictional composites who comprise "attributes of teachers-virtues or vices-that have existed somewhere, sometime." Their perfect teacher has gravitas, empathy, ethics, high standards, patience with the faults of the young, recognition of the tenability of different viewpoints and a command of their subject combined with an absolute belief that it can be transmitted intelligently and imaginatively to their students. While the principles enunciated are ideals, the authors are realists, offering encouragement in this relevant appreciation of "the gift of self that is teaching's greatest satisfaction." (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
Augmenting and reprising their earlier Elements of Teaching, Banner (formerly Princeton Univ.) and Cannon (formerly Manhanttanville Coll.) outline the 12 qualities students should possess to get the most out of their educational experience (Part 1) and the who's, what's, and how's of learning (Part 2). Throughout, students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning; the short, coherent chapters close with suggestions for putting the concepts into practice. The chapters can be read in any order, and some can be postponed until need dictates. Intended for high schoolers, college students, and mature learners (people over 25 years old returning to school), this thoughtful and reassuring text offers kindly advice to a new generation. A good supplemental course text or library resource for units on study methods; for academic libraries.ÄScott R. Johnson, Whittemore Park Middle Sch., Conway, SC (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Offering deeply considered philosophy as well as commonsensical advice, historian Banner (formerly of Princeton University) and classicist Cannon (a former dean at Manhattanville College) have created an invaluable book on the art of teaching. The authors, both longtime educators with a wide variety of classroom experience, divide their study into the ``elements'' that go into the making of a good teacher: learning, authority, ethics, order, imagination, compassion, patience, character, and pleasure. All teachers have all these attributes to varying degrees; the important thing is how the traits are developed and used to the students' best advantage. In ``Learning,'' for example, the authors explain the importance of mastering the subject that one teaches while continuing to explore it along with one's students. They offer here, as they do at the end of every section, a case study of sorts--a fictionalized teaching situation where a teacher is seen as either manifesting the ``element'' being examined or failing to live up to the authors' high expectations. In ``Learning,'' a history teacher is disappointed with her presentation of the subject of religion in her American history class. Rather than go on with the curriculum as planned, she decides to devote more time to religion and assigns different areas of the subject to her students, taking an equal amount of additional work on herself. The class becomes so involved in the project that they decide to enter the National History Day competition, which they win. And while the teacher devotes much more of her own time to the class than she would have if she'd dropped the subject of religion after the first failed presentation, her tenacity results in a rewarding exercise for both herself and her students. An important manual for anyone who teaches or needs to evaluate teachers, such as administrators, school boards, and not least of all, parents.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
Review by Booklist Review
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Review by Library Journal Review
Review by Kirkus Book Review
