This guy is possibly the best teacher in the universe

from JoeUser Forums
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Two days in a row I've heard inspirational stories of teachers who've dared to overhaul our idea of traditional education, and they've come out on top. I'd like to applaud Rafe Esquith, a 5th grade teacher at an inner-city school. Among his many distinctions, Oprah Winfrey has donated a whole wad of dough to his cause, and he's been made an honorary Member of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth.

This is not your typical 'Stand and Deliver' cliche of a story. All of Mr. Esquith's students are learning English as a second language, but he doesn't let that stand in the way of anything. His goal for them is success. He teaches the children English through Shakespeare, and I mean he teaches them Shakespeare. The kids act it out, he explains all the crafty humor and puns and the kids thoroughly enjoy it. Plus, he requires his students to read all of the books that I myself didn't have to read until high school, and then some. When it's time for recess in Mr. Esquith's class, the children don't scurry off to the playground. Instead he calmly instructs them that it's time to take out their musical instruments, and they do so willingly. None of these children knew how to play a guitar before they met Mr. Esquith, but he has taught them to play beautifully. Mediocrity is not the standard, as it tends to be in many inner-city schools. The standard is brilliance, because he knows they're all capable of being brilliant. He brings it out of them. He loves the kids, and they love him.

Check out this Link to hear about this guy. Click the red "listen" button. It's a great story.

I seem to be remembering a passion I have for improving children's education. Hmmm....
1,175 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
I guess it's working for him, but UGHHHH!!! I Hate Shakespeare's work!! 5 years of drama and I never learned to "appreciate it". Now, in fairness, I don't know if it's his work I can't stand, the haughty attitude of most drama students and actors concerning it, or how dreadfully most people overact the parts. Either way, I think I would respectfully (or slightly less that respectfully) pass on this teacher's class!! ;~D

Incidentally, the "Stand and Deliver" teacher, Jaime Escalante is a real math teacher. I'm sure the movie "hollywoodized" the whole story as much as they could, but he really did teach a class of inner-city Latinos calculus. The sad part of his story is, he was forced out of teaching in LA by the Teachers Union. Apparently, expecting students to learn, and teachers to teach was just too much for the losers who run the union.
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
Shakespeare's writing is amazing. It just has to be either 1) performed right; or 2) taught right. I agree with you ParaTed2k, I haven't had the joy of experiencing either of those two things, so that's why I'm so impressed with what this teacher has done. I've never appreciated Shakespeare because it's so dang hard to understand, but I'd love to know what I'm missing.

Sorry if I you thought I implied that Stand and Deliver wasn't based on reality. I've just heard so many snide remarks based on other movies that hearken back to the "Stand and Deliver" cliche. It's sad that I recall people insulting a movie about a great teacher. Oh, I remember what it was now. It's a French film called Les ChoristesLink. I heard a cynical review of this fantastic movie...the reviewer said it was a knock-off of "Stand and Deliver." Hmmph. Like Jaime Escalante was the only teacher worth making a movie about. I'm sure there are millions!

BTW ParaTed2k, ever since I put into writing the day I blew a gasket with my son, you seem to want to disagree with everything I say. True, if I were you I wouldn't know what to think of angelamarie88 either. Just want to let you know that I love my son a whole bunch, and I'd never hurt him. You try being a female for a year and see how you enjoy the mood swings. Or maybe your wife is perfect with all your hundreds of children. Good for ya'll.
Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Sorry if I you thought I implied that Stand and Deliver wasn't based on reality.


Sorry that I misunderstood. I know there are a whole slew of what has been dubbed by someone as "great white hope" flicks. You know how they usually go, kids from the ghetto haven't a chance at life, then comes the "white" teacher, full of hope and ready to fight for the future to which the kids are completely oblivious. The kids peacefully and untouched all quit the gangs, the teacher takes on all comers and wins the day!!! I know Mr. Escalante wasn't white, but then again, that story was actually (at least mostly) true!! ;~D

We'll agree to disagree on Shakespeare. ;~D

BTW ParaTed2k, ever since I put into writing the day I blew a gasket with my son, you seem to want to disagree with everything I say.


Not sure where this came from... I looked back at our past articles and it seems I not only didn't disagree with you, I barely responded to any. The ones I did were mixed (much like this one). Either way, you're still the blogger with which I'd most want to go Vegas!! for the reasons given at Shovelheat's article: Link
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
I would love to feature this acticel on KnowledgeNet.
Could you please join so I can do that?
Her is the link:
Knowledge Net
Currently the site focus is on work issues, career paths, education, money management, living/moving and helping others create a links library or archive . This article (and some others here) fit in perfectly.

Eventually Knowledge Net will expand to more topics while having a more specific career site elsewhere.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
It's good to read some positive news about teachers for a change! Thanks for sharing.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
ParaTed2k, sorry I made a dumb assumption. It was 4am and I was having weird inner dialogues, and I felt certain that you were ridiculing me.I'm glad I was wrong I like your spin on the Vegas dream: it has nothing to do with Vegas! Ha! How far away from Las Vegas could Area 51 possibly be? lol

joeKnowledge, I'm absolutely flattered that you'd like to feature this article. In this case I guess it doesn't take a truly great writer to run with the big dogs, just a passion for something really important like our children's education!