Essays on Teaching

Reflections on the teaching experience include selections from the works of Plato, Rousseau, Tolstoy, D. H. Lawrence, John Dewey, Maria Montessori, Bertrand Russell, A. S. Neill, and contemporary American authors.

Rich in insights and inspiration, this anthology surveys the challenges and rewards of teaching. Contributions range from essays by renowned educators such as Pestalozzi, Froebel, Montessori, and Neill to the philosophical observations of Plato, Rousseau, Dewey, and Russell. Writings by Tolstoy, Emerson, and D. H. Lawrence appear alongside those of contemporary teachers, including Taylor Mali, Elizabeth Gold, and Philip Schultz, who reflect on their experiences with honesty, humor, and wonder.
In addition to essays, this compilation draws upon letters, diaries, commencement addresses, memoirs, and poetry, all of which portray the dynamics of teaching. Editor Bob Blaisdell provides brief introductions to the contributors and their works and contributes an essay as well. Teachers, professors, and students will welcome this thought-provoking anthology, as will others interested in the history and philosophy of education.