Confessions of a Bad Teacher: The Shocking Truth from the Front Lines of American Public Education
Owens’ book began as an article on Salon.com, documenting his first and last year teaching literature in a high-needs South Bronx public school. It went viral, and the outpouring of affirmation inspired Owens to tell his full story. A publishing executive turned high-school teacher, he delivers an intelligent, readable, and occasionally eye-opening analysis of the deep flaws in today’s educational system, now driven by massive amounts of easily manipulated statistics, inadequate and poorly allocated financing, and administrators charged with meeting virtually impossible top-down demands. Owens was soon labeled a “bad teacher” by his principal (who is portrayed as having “crazy boss syndrome” on steroids) for not conforming to restrictive, often ridiculous protocols and failing to meet unrealistic expectations. Owens’ narrative is punctuated with the voices of teachers from across the country who echo his plight and expose the absurdity of relying on data-driven business principles to try to fix American education. The true solution, says Owens, is a massive system overhaul, involving core reforms that embrace and support teachers in honing their craft to benefit students. --Carolyn Saper