Preview
  • The Courage to Teach

  • Exploring the Inner Landscape of a Teacher's Life
  • By: Parker J. Palmer
  • Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki
  • Length: 8 hrs and 33 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (352 ratings)

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The Courage to Teach

By: Parker J. Palmer
Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki
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Publisher's summary

This book builds on a simple premise: good teaching cannot be reduced to technique but is rooted in the identity and integrity of the teacher. Good teaching takes myriad forms but good teachers share one trait: they are authentically present in the classroom, in community with their students and their subject. They possess "a capacity for connectedness" and are able to weave a complex web of connections between themselves, their subjects, and their students, helping their students weave a world for themselves. Connections made by good teachers are held not in their methods but in their hearts - the place where intellect, emotion, spirit, and will converge in the human self - when we choose to live authentic lives.
©2007 John Wiley and Sons, Inc. (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
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Critic reviews

"A profoundly moving, utterly passionate, and inspired articulation of the call to, and the pain and joy of, teaching. It is must reading for any and every teacher, at any level." (Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of Wherever You Go, There You Are)
"Evokes the heart of what teachers really do, and does so in a vivid, compelling, and soulful way." (Robert Coles, Harvard University)

What listeners say about The Courage to Teach

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Food for Thought

I enjoyed this book. Palmer has lots of ideas and the book is kind of a reflective work on his career. The book ends with a call to action but fortunately it is relatively short. I like most of his ideas and will listen to this book again. Palmer gives a lot of food for thought and is easy to listen to, excellent narration.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Informative and Reflective

If you could sum up The Courage to Teach in three words, what would they be?

Encouraging, Uplifting, and Connecting

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Courage to Teach?

Everyone has the "horror student" moments. Parker Palmer's "horror student" story was shared in a particularly heartfelt and honest way.

Which character – as performed by Stefan Rudnicki – was your favorite?

Entire story told in a clear and comforting tone and pace.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The overall idea that art of teaching starts within.
This is what I need to keep reminding myself of when I am particularly challenged by students, parents, colleagues or administration.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

teacher must have

If you teach in any capacity you need to hear this. The heart and the spirit is soundly defended with emphasis on the inner life of the teacher.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

inspiration

i will bring Truth to my teaching/engagement with administrative impoverishment. this author has real hope.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Beautiful insights about a fulfilling career

I had to pause and re-listen to many sections of this book in an attempt to grapple with what the author is challenging us to consider. There are beautiful insights throughout. Some of his gripes are specific to the author and even dated, but this is a very valuable text for those in education.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great read for anybody who teaches

By teaches I mean any time of knowledge transfer. Advisers, educators, or instructors at any level. If you are not in formal academia, the last chapters about reform may not be as relevant, but the early chapters are a must

Improve your communication, and increase your students retention and engagement. Not about technique, but about true learning/teaching relationship

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Transformational, not technical

Explores in depth the teacher and student psyche, and how to reach the heart to effect real change. Super useful not just for conventional teachers, but also for anyone interested in fulfilling the great commission.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great content. Annoying performance

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I loved the content of this book. It was informative and motivational. For me, it was required reading for a graduate course in leadership. It contained profound concepts about how to see yourself as an education and leader. The audience should not be limited to teachers or those who work in education. The audio version of this was problematic, however because I felt, quite often, like the playback was just a bit too slow. The reader who voiced the audio version has a very deep voice and speaks just a little too slowly. It lulled me into sleep quite a few times, and I strongly believe it was the performance, not the content. I could read the text in the book and remain quite engaged.

Would you be willing to try another one of Stefan Rudnicki’s performances?

No. Probably not.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Book

Loved it. Forgot how great this book is. This book is amazingly and sadly still relevant today.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Do you have the courage to teach

This book solidified my style of teaching. Interested in making a true difference. Listen an adhere.

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