One Red Hot Country Mama!

You hear about some people in their jobs – they just show up differently. One of these people Is Rafe Esquith. We recently came across the book Teach Like Your Hair’s On Fire which discusses the teaching methods of the teacher.

Here is a summary of the book courtesy of The New York Times (via Chapters/Indigo)

Perhaps the most famous fifth-grade teacher in America, Rafe Esquith has won numerous awards and even honorary citizenship in the British Empire for his outstandingly successful methods. In his Los Angeles public school classroom, he helps impoverished immigrant children understand Shakespeare, play Vivaldi, and become happy, self-confident people. This bestseller gives any teacher or parent all the techniques, exercises, and innovations that have made its author an educational icon, from personal codes of behavior to tips on tackling literature and algebra. The result is a powerful book for anyone concerned about the future of our children.

Basically, this guy works tirelessly to help these kids learn and open their eyes to what is possible in this world. From teaching them guitar, to having a classic film club, to having a problem-solving Math club to using gym’s baseball practice to help them understand Math even better, he takes creativity and originality to the next level.

He puts everything into his work, working about 12 hours a day, and at one point taking 1-2 extra jobs in order to afford the extras such as class trips. How can someone have so much mission? So much heart? Is it because he is a teacher and he sees how much these kids need help? I did have a few very good teachers when I was growing up, but certainly no one was like this. Is it simply a kind of workaholism?

No matter what, it is pretty cool what can happen when you are passionate about what you do. You simply show up differently.