The Courage to Teach

Great content. Annoying performance

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I loved the content of this book. It was informative and motivational. For me, it was required reading for a graduate course in leadership. It contained profound concepts about how to see yourself as an education and leader. The audience should not be limited to teachers or those who work in education. The audio version of this was problematic, however because I felt, quite often, like the playback was just a bit too slow. The reader who voiced the audio version has a very deep voice and speaks just a little too slowly. It lulled me into sleep quite a few times, and I strongly believe it was the performance, not the content. I could read the text in the book and remain quite engaged.

Would you be willing to try another one of Stefan Rudnicki’s performances?

No. Probably not.

3 people found this helpful

Informative and Reflective

If you could sum up The Courage to Teach in three words, what would they be?

Encouraging, Uplifting, and Connecting

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Courage to Teach?

Everyone has the "horror student" moments. Parker Palmer's "horror student" story was shared in a particularly heartfelt and honest way.

Which character – as performed by Stefan Rudnicki – was your favorite?

Entire story told in a clear and comforting tone and pace.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The overall idea that art of teaching starts within.
This is what I need to keep reminding myself of when I am particularly challenged by students, parents, colleagues or administration.

2 people found this helpful

A must for new educators!

Where does The Courage to Teach rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This was one of few audio books I have ever owned, however it has really set the bar quit high. I feel as though the narrator was not quite what I expected, but this did not hamper my ability to draw from the text's content.

Who was your favorite character and why?

No characters pre-say but the content and concepts were very helpful as a novice educator.

Have you listened to any of Stefan Rudnicki’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No I have not. His voice did not seem to fit as well as I would have liked it to.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was fascinated by how personal the author made teaching and how this transcended into the bigger picture of the education system. I was very please with the book as a whole and look forward to referencing it in the future.

1 person found this helpful

Good Motivator

What made the experience of listening to The Courage to Teach the most enjoyable?

It was enjoyable to listen to a persons personal journey or exploration in what it means to teach. It was great to see that the author was able to define teaching for herself and find personal satisfaction.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

The information was fine the way it was presented. Perhaps give ideas on how one can make teaching meaningful to themselves.

Which scene was your favorite?

not applicable

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Finding your purpose

Any additional comments?

Good listen for everyone and especially educators at all levels of education, both new and veteran.

1 person found this helpful

Food for Thought

I enjoyed this book. Palmer has lots of ideas and the book is kind of a reflective work on his career. The book ends with a call to action but fortunately it is relatively short. I like most of his ideas and will listen to this book again. Palmer gives a lot of food for thought and is easy to listen to, excellent narration.

3 people found this helpful

dry and self absorbed

narrator was not bad but the author was staring the obvious as though it were a revelation

Great read for anybody who teaches

By teaches I mean any time of knowledge transfer. Advisers, educators, or instructors at any level. If you are not in formal academia, the last chapters about reform may not be as relevant, but the early chapters are a must

Improve your communication, and increase your students retention and engagement. Not about technique, but about true learning/teaching relationship

teacher must have

If you teach in any capacity you need to hear this. The heart and the spirit is soundly defended with emphasis on the inner life of the teacher.

The Courage to Listen

I loved what the author was writing to his readers. I could apply the tools and wisdom he had used and experienced. Maybe next time find a reader that has more enthusiasm in his tone to keep the reader interested. Should have bought the book to read.

Tough to listen to

Any additional comments?

The narrator kind of "over does it" on pronunciation. At first I didn't mind it, but it was grating after a while. The book itself means well, and I am sure that a lot of people must appreciate it, but I found it tough to listen to. Not just because of the narrator either. Hard to explain. The author often uses "big words"; I don't know if he's trying to impress us with an extensive vocabulary or what, but I found it distracting. Anyway, I'm no writer and I appreciate the effort they made, but the book just wasn't for me.