From Courtroom to Classroom

Book excerpt: The book is replete with invaluable suggestions how to be a more effective teacher at the high school level drawn from a combination of common sense and first-hand experiences in and out of the classroom with both students and teachers. The focus is on establishing a relationship of trust and respect with the students by providing them with voice and choice, which will provide the requisite foundation for successful teaching while maximizing the learning process for the students. Among the many questions addressed include: Why give up a lucrative career in the law to become a teacher? How are lawyering skills similar to those needed to be an effective teacher? Why do some teachers take things said or done by their students personally? Are younger high school teachers too young? Are too many teachers allowing their egos to get in the way of their teaching? Are teachers paying enough attention to all of their students? How important is a supportive administration to good teaching? Last, what should we be teaching our students?