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Educating Esmé: Diary of a Teacher’s First Year

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1999

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Book Brief

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Esmé Raji Codell

Educating Esmé

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1999
Book Details
Pages

262

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

Chicago, Illinois • 1990s

Publication Year

1999

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Educating Esmé, by Esmé Raji Codell, details her first year teaching fifth grade at an inner-city Chicago public school, where she faces significant challenges, including students' abusive homes, language barriers, and behavioral issues. Despite conflicts with administration and difficult parent-teacher conferences, Esmé fosters a love of learning and books, achieving notable academic progress. The book discusses student experiences with violence and neglect.

Inspirational

Humorous

Challenging

Heartwarming

Informative

Reviews & Readership

4.3

7,084 ratings

71%

Loved it

22%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Educating Esmé by Esmé Raji Codell is praised for its heartfelt and candid portrayal of a novice teacher's first year in an urban Chicago classroom. Enthusiasts commend its humor, inspiration, and realistic insights into educational challenges. However, critics point to its perceived naivety and occasional lack of objectivity. Overall, it's an engaging and honest memoir.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Educating Esmé?

Readers who would enjoy Educating Esmé by Esmé Raji Codell are passionate about teaching and education reform. They appreciate firsthand accounts of classroom experiences and challenges faced by new teachers. Fans of Teacher Man by Frank McCourt or Freedom Writers by Erin Gruwell will find this memoir equally inspiring and insightful.

4.3

7,084 ratings

71%

Loved it

22%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Character List

Esme

A twenty-four-year-old teacher who is passionate about storytelling, art, and theater, and is dedicated to empowering her students. She navigates the challenges of teaching in an environment with administrative friction and socio-cultural issues.

The school principal who often clashes with Esme over her unorthodox teaching methods and insists on calling her Mrs. Codell instead of Madame Esme. His interactions with Esme highlight the friction between innovative teaching and traditional expectations.

The Vice Principal who shares a strained relationship with Esme due to actions that seem invasive or disrespectful. She reveals personal information to Esme, showcasing a flawed professional demeanor.

Esme’s late mentor who offers enduring wisdom that Esme frequently draws upon for inspiration and guidance in her teaching methods. Her influence underscores themes of mentorship and resilience.

A seasoned colleague who offers advice and perspective to Esme, helping her navigate the challenges of the educational bureaucracy. Her guidance helps Esme see beyond interpersonal conflicts.

A student dealing with a difficult home life, whose behavior becomes a challenge in the classroom. His story illustrates the complexities and impacts of a student's personal environment on their school experience.

A student who faces housing insecurity, leading to frequent tardiness. Her interactions with Esme emphasize the importance of understanding and addressing student hardships beyond the classroom.

A student struggling with a violent home life, whose issues manifest in school as overeating. His experiences reflect the broader struggles students face and their coping mechanisms.

A student who one day brings her younger brother to school due to her challenging family situation. Her story highlights student responsibilities and protective instincts within difficult circumstances.

A student involved in a parent-teacher conference that reveals harsh disciplinary measures at home. Her case sheds light on the potential dangers of parental involvement on student well-being.

A student who is caught stealing multiple times, prompting Esme to address her behavior. Her actions provide insight into the temptations and consequences students may face.

Book Details
Pages

262

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

Chicago, Illinois • 1990s

Publication Year

1999

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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