A teacher's memoir of teaching high school science to at-risk inner-city teens.
No Child Left Behind?? by Elizabeth Blake is not just for teachers. It is a heartwarming, at times dramatic, memoir of one woman searching for her purpose in life.
After searching for her purpose in life, Elizabeth Blake begins teaching science in an inner-city high school and searches for a way to reach her at-risk students who capture her heart in this true story.
But when crushed by shootings, gangs, drugs, a riot, and some administrators who make her job more difficult, can she overcome the stress and find the ultimate meaning behind her life’s struggles?
Excerpt
Slowly the boy turned around to face me. I was in the front of the classroom, holding the attendance sheet in my hand. He stood a few inches away for a moment, glaring at me. His menacing eyes never left mine as he boldly approached me. We stared at each other as he walked up to me and stood one inch in front of my face.
He closed the distance between us and I could see the hatred blazing in his eyes. He stood slightly taller than I did and was solid muscle. His lips curled into a threatening sneer as he spat out the words, “F*** you, bitch.”
In an instant, his hands were on my shoulders and he shoved my body against the wall behind me. I felt the barrier against my back, like a trap. My mind frantically begged, Help me, Lord!
Professional Reviews
No Child Left Behind?????
Blake gives an honest and courageous assessment of her years teaching science to at-risk students. She has provided a moving account of her passion for teaching at-risk students.
--Joan Prefontaine, Biography/Memoir reviewer, Suite101.com
No Child Left Behind????
In No Child Left Behind? The True Story of a Teacher's Quest, Ms. Blake tells of her decision to leave a well-established career and take on an incredible challenge teaching in a school for at-risk students. She is appalled at the lack of support from some administrators, but encouraged by the shared commitment of other colleagues. She is moved by the needs of students headed toward failure, losing some but saving others. This is a compelling message about one woman's vision, that no child be left behind. --JoAnn V. Cleland, Ed.D. Professor Emeritus of Reading Education, Arizona State University at the West Campus
No Child Left Behind????
As a former school administrator who has also experienced what this author wrote about, I relish this book. Blake writes an informative account of the victims of education: students, parents, administrators, and teachers. Until we as caring citizens do something about bringing back a change to the way we teach our children, I'm afraid it will continue to get worse.
Thank goodness for people like this author who has been willing to make a public stand. It's a brave one, and, hopefully, somebody up there listens and asks "what on earth are we doing to our children"?
She never felt safe at home as a young girl, and didn't understand why when she finally escaped she wasn't safe in the big wide world either ...effectively jumping out of the frying pan into the fire!
