Terrific Women Teachers

by Helen Wolfe

Overview

Inspire the educators of tomorrow with the life stories of ten women teachers. Each of them made a difference in the lives of their students and in education as whole. Included is Maria Montessori, who at the turn of the last century became the first female doctor in Italy, going on to found the Montessori method of self-directed learning. Paired together in another chapter are the inextricably linked Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan, the "miracle worker" who found the bridge for Helen to communicate with the world. Also included is Christa McAuliffe, the high school teacher who tragically lost her life in the Space shuttle Challenger disaster, but whose legacy is maintained by the many US schools that carry her name. Other women profiled include native educator Dorval Onesime from Canada and Malalai Joya, who is campaigning for girls' education in Afghanistan.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781897187869
Publisher:	Second Story Press
Publication date:	04/25/2011
Series:	Women's Hall of Fame Series
Pages:	112
Product dimensions:	9.00(w) x 6.00(h) x 0.35(d)
Lexile:	1100L (what's this?)
Age Range:	9 - 13 Years

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Onesime Dorval 5

Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan Macy 13

Maria Montessori 27

Raden Ayu Kartini 37

Friedl Dicker-Brandeis 47

Marva Collins 59

Christa McAuliffe 71

Denise Fruchter 81

Erin Gruwell 91

Malalai Joya 99

Sources and Resources 109

Acknowledgments 115

Photo Credits 117

Editorial Reviews

"Wolfe has written a wonderful collection of stories which capture many aspects of the teaching profession...Also provides a well-rounded look at the teaching profession through the ages in many parts of the global community...Readers will be fascinated by Wolfe's stories of courage, perseverance and dedication to the cause of education."

Resource Links

"Well-written and compelling...This is a great series that should continue to find a place in every school collection."

Canadian Children's Book News

Terrific Women Teachers is an educational book about various women teachers from all walks of life and from different eras of history. The book is inspirational, especially for young women who aspire to become educators themselves. Author Wolfe chose to write about the lives of ten women who became educators and greatly impacted the educational system and society at large. Names like Maria Montessori and Anne Sullivan will most likely be known to some who read this book. However, even seasoned educators may not have heard about other teachers mentioned in this book. The array of influence from women educators around the world is a part of what makes this book special. The blend of information and the vocabulary make this a perfect read for middle elementary and middle school students. The material presented can easily keep the attention of the reader as they read for pleasure or for research. The book contains information about the women's background, country of origin and influences from family and society that inspired each to become a teacher. More resources for further reading and research are included as well as a sign language chart. Reviewer: Laura Pastuszek

Children's Literature - Laura Pastuszek

Gr 6?8—This collection of biographical sketches includes well-known educators like Annie Sullivan Macy, Maria Montessori, and Christa McAuliffe, as well as lesser-known but equally fascinating women like Indonesia's Raden Ayu Kartini and Afghanistan's Malalai Joya. Their stories are interesting and often inspiring. Unfortunately, the writing is marred by slightly awkward language ("many students with physical disabilities can enjoy whatever activities they would like"), some inaccuracies (the life span of Kartini, from 1879 to 1904, is listed as being "more than 150 years ago" and the Holocaust is defined as the "time in history when Hitler and the Nazis were trying to conquer the world"), and confusing comparisons ("You certainly wouldn't have found any cell phones" in Marva Collins's orderly Westside Prep in the 1970s). Nevertheless, this is a fun collection of portraits of women who generally don't receive as much biographical attention as they should. Each chapter contains at least one black-and-white photograph of its subject and several sidebars explaining details like ADHD and Tourette's syndrome, or Nazi deporation.—Rebecca Donnelly, Loma Colorado Public Library, Rio Rancho, NM

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