Synopses & Reviews
American Teacher: Heroes in the Classroom
By Katrina Fried
Celebrating educators, who go far above and beyond the call of duty, American Teacher shines a spotlight on one of the most underappreciated, undercompensated, yet critically important professions in the world. Over the course of two years, Katrina Fried has interviewed and written the stories of 50 extraordinary teachers from kindergarten through 12th grade, selected from public and charter schools across the United States. The result is a collection of inspiring and informative first person-narratives accompanied by heartfelt letters from students and captivating portraits taken by celebrated photographers from around the country such as Peter Feldstein, Roman Cho, Paul Natkin and Laura Straus.
American Teacher introduces us to classroom heroes like Stephen Ritz of NYC's South Bronx, who uses sustainable agriculture as a tool to engage and inspire his neighborhood's most at-risk special-needs students; Rafe Esquith, a trail-blazing, multi-award-winning educator and author, who has spent 31years teaching 5th grade from within the same four walls at Hobart Elementary School in Los Angeles; and Iowan Sarah Brown Wessling who's unique "learner-centered" approach to teaching high school English earned her the 2010 National Teacher of the Year award.
These are our most unsung heroes, the men and women responsible for molding and preparing our children to meet the challenges of the 21st century. In the face of increasing class sizes, insufficient resources, and budget cuts, many of our teachers are dipping into their own pockets and personal time to bridge the gap for their students; they are finding innovative and engaging solutions to institutional problems and changing the outcome of countless lives in the process. Hear their stories, see their faces, and join us as we pay tribute to their passion and sacrifice.
Synopsis
Portraits of 50 K-through-12 teachers honors America's true unsung heroes, the men and women who are empowering our children to forge a bright future. Everyday Heroes and American Farmer author Katrina Fried, through portraits and interviews, introduces us to the most passionate, innovative, dedicated teachers in America. Across the country, from San Francisco to New York to Chicago, American Teacher celebrates our educational role models in a beautifully packaged coffee table book.
About the Author
Katrina Fried has previously written Everyday Heroes: 50 Americans Changing The World One Nonprofit At A Time, American Farmer, and as Senior Editor and Assoc. Publisher of Welcome Books has edited or produced numerous award-winning and bestselling titles including: Artists in Love, The Oxford Project, Gay in America, The Last Good War, Slow: Life in a Tuscan Town, Cooking with Italian Grandmothers, Primal Cuts, On The Street, and Red Carpet. Creating unique visual narratives that push the boundaries and traditional limitations of illustrated books is her greatest passion. She lives and works in NYC and Northern CA.
Table of Contents
American Teacher: Heroes in the Classroom Table of Contents
Foreword TK
Introduction by Katrina Fried TK
Jaime Festa-Daigle: Lake Havasu High School, Lake Havasu City, Arizona
Genein Letford: NEW Academy Canoga Park, Canoga Park, California
Alex Kajitani: Conway Elementary School, San Diego, California
Daryl Bilandzija: Odyssey Charter School, Altadena, California
Rafe Esquith: Hobart Elementary School, Los Angeles, California
Helena Moss-Jack: Elmhurst Community Prep and Alliance Academy Middle School, East Oakland, California
Melanie Tolan: Sarah Anthony School, San Diego, California
Dr. David Lazerson: The Quest Center, Miami, Florida
Alvin Aureliano Davis: Miramar High School, Miramar, Florida
Josh Bill: Waukegan High School, Waukegan, Illinois
Glenn D. Lid: Proviso East High School, Maywood, Illinois
Jenni Schneiderman: The Academy for Global Citizenship, Chicago, Illinois
Sarah Brown Wessling: Johnston High School, Johnston, Iowa
Joshua Anderson: Olathe Northwest High School, Olathe, Kansas
Keil Hileman: Monticello Trails Middle School Museum, Shawnee, Kansas
Betty Jean Brandenburg Yundt: Walker Intermediate School, Fort Knox, Kentucky
Peggy Carlisle: Pecan Park Elementary School, Jackson, Mississippi
Frank J. Rodgers: John R. Hummel Elementary School, Las Vegas, Nevada
Stephen Ritz: Hyde Leadership Charter School, South Bronx, New York
Martin Messner: Schoharie Central Schools, Schoharie, New York
Jane Klir Viau: NYC College Prep High School, New York, New York
Elizabeth Vicary: IS 318, Brooklyn, New York
Elisabeth Jaffe: Baruch College Campus High School, New York, New York
Shari Brown: Whitnel Elementary School, Lenoir, North Carolina
Paul Wulff: Ohio Virtual Academy, Maumee, Ohio
Walter Patrick Earle: McBee High School, McBee, South Carolina
Jason S. Fulmer: Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement, Aiken, South Carolina
Suzanne Michelle Evans: Valley Elementary School, North Eden, Utah
Jay Hoffman: Frederick H. Tuttle Middle, South Burlington, Vermont
Susan Barnard: Choice Alternative High School, Shelton, Washington
Jeffrey Charbonneau: Zillah High School, Zillah, Washington
More to come…