A Disgrace to the Profession

Reader Response: B. P.

"Having spent many years of our lives as students, we can all relate to the plight of classroom teachers, but A Disgrace to the Profession reveals a unique insight into the professional lives of teachers and the real world of behind-the-scene struggles as they battle with an unprincipled principal and inept, unscrupulous administrators.

Although the authors present a fictionalized story, it is definitely real. They develop a compelling true-to-life drama exposing the bureaucratic nightmare that impedes teaching, stifles teachers, and drives them from their chosen profession. I can relate to the main characters, who have the courage of their convictions and who serve as an inspiration to us all as we resist 'administrivia' and fight for our professional autonomy."

Reader Response: Withheld, MN

"I'm a retired 4th grade teacher who spent 29 years in the classroom. I loved every page of your book. So much of Bancroft was my school! Especially our principal ,who lived in fear of a laswuit or that something would get "into the community." He stayed in his air conditioned office and, like your fictional principal, would not let teachers in to discuss a problem until 5 minutes before their classes resumed. He literally harassed teachers who lived in fear of their jobs. We were overburdened with meetings. As at Bancroft there were acronyms for everything. My favorite was BEPS--best educational practices. Thanks for writing about what must be a universal probelm in our educational system! I am ordering more books. "

Reader Response: Graham Gillette, School Board Member, Des Moines, IA

"A Disgrace to the Profession was entertaining reading with a powerful message. The authors barged in and made me question how I view our schools and those who labor there. Most surprising, they did it with an easy to read and touching novel. I am a Des Moines School Board member and I was captivated by this book.

I am not an educator and 'A Disgrace to the Profession' allowed me to get inside the minds of teachers. It was enlightening, humorous, frustrating and moving. A Disgrace to the Profession should be standard issue for teachers so they know they are not alone.

A Disgrace to the Profession should be mandatory reading for administrators and school board members to remind them about those struggling to teach.

A Disgrace to the Profession should be read by every adult who cares about education.

Three cheers for Charles Newton and Gretchen Kauffman."

Reader Response: Withheld

"Hurrah to you for publishing this book!!!! A city paper ran a review. I got the book that week. It took several weeks to read the first 100 or so pages. I just finished the last 200 in one sitting.

How did you know this is the school system I teach in? It's not Karen, Nick, David and George. The "Good Ol' Boys"Club" meets frequently. They hire sons and daughters or important town people's children. Poor teachers are allowed to go on.

Principals...habits create needs. I've just finished my 29th year in lower elementary. I've been chastised for running in the halls when I had a Kindergarten class of 30 in one building and another class of 29 in another building, traveling between the schools from 11-12, lunch and prep time. I've been chastised for calling parents too often. I've been told to move a classroom of "stuff" overnight, staying until 1:00 a.m. several nights in a row.

This book couldn't have happened in Des Moines; it's happening right here.

Education...Karen, Nick...please come to teach in my building. We need your fortitude, dedication and ability to stand up for what is just!

Sincerely, (Name withheld, I need my job.)"

Reader Response: L.H., IA

This novel shows the crossroads where fiction unveils reality. This novel made me feel that I was in the classroom again. For many years I listed the follies and foolishness of a number of principals and their club of central administration cronies. This book summarizes the list in a well-crafted reading. Is this fiction or non-fiction. How can you tell the difference? WIll principals, central administrators, and school boards be able to sleep without nightmares when they read this?

An astute teacher once said there are two school districts, one for administrators and school boards, and one for students and teachers. This novel clearly shows him to be correct.

Every teacher who endures an incompetent principal should carry this book around each teaching day as a notice that they arecognize administrative incompetence when they see it. No teacher, parent, administrator, or school board member can afford not to read this novel."

Reader Response: A.J., Denver, CO

"I just finished A Disgrace to the Profession last night. It has been a long time since I have read a book where I felt compelled to seek it out every free moment I had available. The book is extremely thought provoking and I will take some time in the near future to forward some of my reactions. If you find a book store that will carry the book here in Denver, please let me know so I may direct others to where they can purchase it for themselves. It is definitely on my strong recommendation list of books to read. "

Reader Response: D. D., Fargo, ND

"The title itself proved to be engrossing--started reading the novel upon its arrival and finished a little after 4 pm. I read it front to back and didn't read its conclusion first, which is unusual for me. The main female teacher and her mother were very well created. The developing love affair between that teacher and the leading male teacher actually worked. A Disgrace to the Profession is a very good read. . . it's to Myers House' credit that this title is being offered.

Please accept my real appreciation."