Extraordinary Teachers
Considering that the education crisis continues to be one of the most debated national issues, Stephenson's new collection of 36 essays on the thorny subject is very timely, offering a number of solid approaches and solutions to some of the more challenging problems facing educators and parents in one informative volume. Stephenson, a professor at the University of Georgia and two-time winner of the revered Josiah Meigs Award for Excellence in Teaching, enlists other recipients of the honor, all master educators, to tackle the obstacles preventing today's students from attaining excellence and give answers to instructors seeking to become more effective teachers. The result is a first-class inspiring primer on how and what to teach while generating excitement and creativity among pupils. David R. Shaffer's insightful essay addresses the importance of preparation, communication in the classroom and various lecture techniques to keep teen minds riveted. As a parent, educator Jeanne A. Barsanti salutes the overwhelming influence of an enthusiastic instructor on the learning curve of students struggling to meet the demands of a difficult course. Critical thinking as an active element in the educational process gets a close look by Anne L. Sweaney, who also makes a strong pitch for moving away from stiff lectures to more case studies and brainstorming to provide variety and fun for students. So much of what is collected here is just good old common sense and often repeated teaching techniques, yet a great deal of these essentials have been lost or forgotten in the heated education debate.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.