The Courage to Teach: Exploring the Inner Landscape of a Teacher's Life, 20th Anniversary Edition

We need more stars to choose for this book. It was a homerun when it was written and the new foreword grounds it in the world we are living in today. This is a book for teachers to be sure, but this is also a book for anyone wondering if it's possible for humans to be transformed over time to become our better selves in the world we are making. Teaching is an unsung remarkable work- or unsung at least until Palmer identified 20 years ago how deeply teachers can effect life changing possibilities for students of all ages. And now, this work continues to shine a light on how the core of a teacher is fueled and refueled by doing the important work of authenticity building and creating trustworthy space for students to encounter their own truest selves. Do you believe you can learn? This book is for you, and while you're at it, pick up any one of the other titles by this author- your tomorrows can be different than you todays, slowly incrementally and with some laughter and great stories thrown in.

By this book!! It is best for the serious teacher, who is not afraid to look inside and understand what they bring to the classroom as a person. This is by far the best book on teaching I have ever read. I have been teaching at the college level for 42 years.One of my favorite passages from the book: "Kindergarten teachers often understand the craft better than those of us with PhDs, perhaps because students in the "lower" grades are like the child in "The Emperor's New Clothes." They do not care what graduate school you attended, who chaired your dissertation committee, or how many books you hare written, but they quickly sense whether you are real, and they respond accordingly. The discerning innocence of young children deepens my conviction that at every level of education, the selfhood of teachers is key."

Parker Palmer has been and remains one of the most profound and compassionate commentators available to readers daily striving to contribute to the betterment of our society, no matter their political persuasion. Twenty years after the first edition, this book is as bold and helpful as it was upon first release. Teachers in all fields, not just education, will find avenues to renewed courage here.

This is an absolutely brilliant book. Read and discussed this with a group of teachers every morning over a three month period and we totally enjoyed our reading and discussions. I will recommend this book to anyone who wants to develop a truly spiritual way of approaching teaching that is universal. Written in a way that was easily understood with true depth in content.

I purchased this book for an assignment in my last class of graduate school. I fully expected to drudge my way through the book; however, I have enjoyed the book so far. Palmer provides some very unique insights about our inner teacher. If you have ever been in a classroom you can definitely relate to this book.

Exceptional presentation of the state of education and the potential each teacher and each of us has to effect meaningful inclusion and principled change. The opportunity to recognize the role of organizations and movements as a forum for the individual's concern with identity and integrity. The circle of Truth beckons. Powerful and not dated.

Worst purchase of the year. What an uninspired read. The rambling platitudes are self-congratulatory and offer little in the way of insight. If you want to replace actual teaching methods or even self-betterment with dim self help, this is the book for you. Clarity and insight are lacking here.

I got this book for my Teaching ASL Masters program and to find out that I did NOT even need it. Dumb... but I skimmed the book and it had great information.

Love this book. My graduate nursing professor and now-mentor often quoted Palmer during my studies. This book really resonates with me and I now quote Palmer’s ideas on the integrity and identity of the educator, the heart of the educator, and the courage to teach as a Masters-prepared Nurse Educator.I’m gifting this book to my son’s third grade teacher for Christmas this year as I appreciate her courage, compassion, integrity, and dedication in teaching my little one so much; I figure it’s better than another box of chocolates or “best teacher” mug:)

I had to buy this for a project in my education class and I really enjoyed reading this book. It was very thought provoking and I encourage anyone who is interested in teaching and current teachers to read this book.

Recommended for all Teachers, academic or otherwise. Enjoyed the nuggets of insights throughout the book, reminding me to return to the calling of teaching. Author has shared from deep experience & from an authentic place within.

Needed this book for a course in my masters. Amazing book but it arrived damaged(the whole paper cover around the hard cover is ripped half was down) but I need it for this course so can’t return it.

Excellent book! One of the greatest on teaching! A must have!