Over a late lunch decided to begin re-reading “Up The Down Staircase” by Bel Kaufman. This time as an ebook. I loved it as a teenager … and again as a new (or nearly new) teacher.
I’m expecting to love it once more … but have only got as far as the end of the introduction, which is brilliant! Such an accurate reflection of the state of education from someone who has observed it over a whole lifetime.
Bel Kaufman was 101 when she wrote this intro in 2012. (She died at 103 in 2014). Her story of how she came to write the book and her astute observations and reflections are wonderful.
Both a sharp criticism of all that is wrong in education and a celebration of those marvellous men and women, the inspired and inspiring teachers who truly make a difference.
I’d recommend this as mandatory reading for everyone who, like me, is passionate about teaching and learning and what our education systems should be doing for our young. :)
