To Teach: The Journey, in Comics

This is for a college class and it is really easy to follow. I’m glad the professor chose it.

I had an incredibly mixed reaction to this book. On the one hand, it is quite readable and appealing. I agree with many of its points, such as that teachers should love their students, that NCLB and the like do a lot of damage, and that labeling children as ADD and the like is a bad idea. On the surface level, it's encouraging and inspiring. But then I noticed something.Ayers repeatedly claims that teachers should learn with their students, practice humility, and respect all viewpoints. But that's the sugar coating that disguises a poison pill. Despite his claims that authorities should be rejected, replaced (apparently) with hugs and the inherent wisdom and love allegedly within us all, in reality he pushes an agenda and measures others on how closely they adhere to that agenda.Notice that the authority figures in this book are presented as annoying fools. Notice that pesky "facts" are disregarded, as when a chemistry teacher is praised for abandoning the table of elements in favor of a study of how diamond mining oppresses poor Africans. Notice that his response to the principal's reading of the pledge of allegiance is to cut the speaker wires.Despite his denials, Ayers is encouraging teachers to indulge their own egos, to be self-satisfied in their belief that their politics = truth, and to covertly push their world-views on their students. This is not humility, this is hubris. And this is actually not anti-authoritarian at all, it is the replacement of one set of authorities (the status quo) with another that is much more insidious and oppressive. Ayers is not Santa Claus, he's Stalin.Think I'm exaggerating? Here's what Ayers said in the 1970's, when he managed the Weather Underground's bombing campaign: "Kill all the rich people. Break up their cars and apartments. Bring the revolution home, kill your parents, that's where it's really at." Does that sound like the gentle, loving teacher Ayers pretends to be? Would you want this man to teach your children? Do you really want to become like him?

Makes you think-Think about how professors and teachers assign books like this for their students, and expect them to aspire to be instructors like Ayers: politically motivated in the so called name of "equity". While there are certainly good points in the book, one search on who Ayers is explains a lot about the less than good/plausible/sane points of the book.Of course, this is just an opinion; if this comic helps you on your journey to being a wonderful teacher, then I am SO excited for you and wish you the absolute best!

Don't miss this book. I have sent copies to all my young teacher friends, and they tell me they laughed and cried all the way through. Wisdom and theory about kids and education, and the day-to-day tough challenges - are you disciplining or teaching? Are you the teacher or the learner? Is it possible to be both and do it all? In the original classic, Ayers created a critical vision and a handbook. But in the journey in comics, Alexander-Tanner brings his own completely new, young, original and charming perspective to the conversation. He has created a narrator straight out of Curious George - an Ayers/avatar - and presents him with a light and humorous touch. All this makes the underlying educational philosophy and critique uniquely accessible.

Love this book. I’m currently a Doctoral student at DePaul, and what better way to unpack this book then with the author himself, Bill Ayers (my professor)! As educators, we must explore with our students—understanding their background, culture, and learning style is imperative.

I'm a professor of special education and I find this book to be a fascinating read. I believe my students will actually read this assigned book now that it is in comics versus the traditional text. I will also encourage my students not to sell back this book because they will need all the ideas on how to create a conducive learning environment for their students. To me, this is not just another graphic book, there are a of irrefutable and creative strategies that are cleverly conveyed through the fine artwork. Have fun and enjoy reading!

This book is so real and so funny, written by someone who understands the teacher life and battles of the profession. This is a great book for a college student heading into the teaching profession.

I love the book and I encourage everyone to read it especially if you are going to be a teacher, know a teacher, have been taught by a teacher or know someone who knows a teacher. This book brings to light the complexities of teaching. Overcoming diversity, societal, district, parent and state pressures. After reading a person will respect teachers much more. The book is a fun and easy read that can change anyone's perspective on educators.

This is a great depiction of the values that support effective education. I plan to use it in my teacher education course to provoke discussions about "why teach?"