The Human Side of Teaching focuses on thoughts that give the new teacher a realistic view of the teaching and school communities in which they are entering. For the veteran teacher, it attempts to be a reminder of why they entered teaching and why, deep down in their psyche, it is a profession in which they want to remain (although for some their present thinking may not have them seeing it this way.) The book focuses on the teacher as a person ('About You'), the role one plays in the classroom (Leading as a Classroom Teacher, About Your Teaching, Your Students, Your Content) as well as a member of an organization (Your Supervisors) and a community (Other Teachers, Parents, Others in community.) These nine areas of focus take the reader through the various levels of the teaching profession and offer to both new and veteran teachers a focus on the reality with which they will and have been dealing. The writing itself is the view of education from someone who has spent a great deal of his life working in it affecting and being affected by all the people in the areas about which he writes. At times it is philosophical, seemingly 'pie in the sky' and at times it is bluntly honest. In this the writing gives neophytes some realistic aspects of their new profession as well as reminds veteran teachers (in moving through their many frustrations) why they enjoy (or wish they could enjoy) teaching children of any age. The book is about acknowledging that there are challenges in teaching but, for the most part, should not be considered overwhelming.
Francis J. Gardella's career as a classroom teacher, a district mathematics Supervisor, K to 12 and now an Associate Professor at Hunter College have consistently involved him in issues faced by new teachers (of which he was one himself) and veteran teachers facing the frustrations that they meet. He continues to work with these professionals offering to them a view of the reality of the world of teaching that he has developed throughout his career.
Introduction Chapter 1: About You Chapter 2: Leading As a Classroom Teacher Chapter 3: About Your Teaching Chapter 4: Your Students Chapter 5: The Content Chapter 6: Your Supervisors Chapter 7: Other Teachers Chapter 8: Parents Chapter 9: What Others in the School Can Offer
