“Teacher in the Rye: Doing It My Way,” is a memoir as an innovative, creative classroom teacher during my forty years in the latter half of the 20th century. I've written it to encourage teachers and the public to respect and support teachers to be themselves in their classrooms and not to be a conduit of others' directives.
My first book, Teaching from the Middle of the Room: Inviting Students to Learn (Stetson Press, 2010), I expressed through the eyes of Dan Hilliard. I trace his journey from standup delivery talking at students to engaging them, metaphorically, from the middle of the room.
In twenty-seven stimulating chapters, readers learn of the myriad of methods that provide stimulating invitations for students to learn and to want to learn. It was written before the impact of digital devices in students' lives. It offers ways to bring students into face-to-face learning essential in counteracting the isolation of the digital culture.
"Frank Thoms is a passionate teacher, and his powerful book is all about "stance"––how a teacher places him or herself physically, emotionally, intellectually, and organizationally––with respect to students, knowledge, and learning. Every teacher, from a first-timer to an old hand, will learn much that is practical, and even more that is inspirational, from reading this book."
"Frank Thoms draws our attention back to the locus of learning––the synergy between teachers and students. He offers empathetic and passionate teachers the thought tools and practical steps they need to invigorate a collaborative classroom."
In twenty-seven stimulating chapters, readers learn of the myriad of methods that provide stimulating invitations for students to learn and to want to learn. It was written before the impact of digital devices in students' lives. It offers ways to bring students into face-to-face learning essential in counteracting the isolation of the digital culture.
"Frank Thoms is a passionate teacher, and his powerful book is all about "stance"––how a teacher places him or herself physically, emotionally, intellectually, and organizationally––with respect to students, knowledge, and learning. Every teacher, from a first-timer to an old hand, will learn much that is practical, and even more that is inspirational, from reading this book."
Robert Fried, The Passionate Teacher
"Frank Thoms draws our attention back to the locus of learning––the synergy between teachers and students. He offers empathetic and passionate teachers the thought tools and practical steps they need to invigorate a collaborative classroom."
Joyce Barnes, education technology editor
