I imagine most folks know the gist, being a rather popular movie and all, even if not having watched it. New-to-teaching woman, ex-marine, gets stuck in the English class from hell that has already run off 3 subs in a week. Rather than screaming & breaking down, works wonders and gets their attention.

This book is not written as a linear story, but a series of incidents that took place over the course of a couple years. Some amusing, some touching, some disturbing. You can clearly see how much she cared about these kids, and how hard she worked to try and help them. Not just in the classroom, but as people, to grow and thrive. I'm quite glad there are people like her out there, helping mold impressionable young minds. ( )

A wondeful, inspiring book that reminds me why I love my job and challenges me to do it better! ( )

This is the true account of an ex-Marine who becomes a teacher in a California high school. She ends up with a class of the worst-behaved kids in the school, near juvenile delinquents who consistently fail classes, threaten other students and went so far as to put their previous teacher in the hospital. Determined to prove that all students can learn, she sets out to earn the kids' trust, spark their interest in school, and prove that instead of basic math and spelling, they are capable of dealing with algebra and Shakespeare. Her commitment to her students leads her to visit their homes and neighborhoods, meet their families, and become somewhat involved in their personal lives, in an effort to show them how much she cares.

From the Dog Ear Diary ( )