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A review by lostinfrance
The Bridge to Brilliance: How One Principal in a Tough Community Is Inspiring the World by Nadia Lopez
1.0
This book was a huge reminder why I got out of NYC. I love teaching--- and I love(d) my students with a passion, especially the tricky ones--- I enjoyed meeting them, getting to know them and figuring out how to help them and get them to read and question--- so when I saw this book announced on Humans of New York, I thought that this would be a great addition to my brain.
But then....then I actually picked up the book....and was reminded of exactly why I left the NYDOE.
This principal comes off so arrogant and condescending...I wanted to throw the book at her. She contradicted herself so many times--- No one should be in it for the money (but then brought up teacher salaries to prove why they needed to provide better service). A school is made up of great teachers--- and staff, but yet....she was the only one making the school so awesome. Only certain students were allowed on the Harvard trip--- those that had earned it, yet she allowed a student who had been a problem because she knew he needed it (what about the other kids who hadn't earned it, did they not need it). She also brought up how much teachers get paid for over time--- and I almost spit out my coffee....I worked at least 70 hours a week and NEVER got any overtime (the DOE would go bankrupt!). I get her intention....but she needs to take a step back and remind herself that she is not the ONLY one making that school work --- and that teachers are not the bad guys. Also--- she was exactly my pet peeve as a teacher--- meaning she taught for only a handful of years--- and then became a principal. I feel like principals should have to be a teacher for a certain amount of years (10??) so that when they become principal they remember and have walked the walk for long enough that they are credible. But, alas, I need to stop ranting.
I do not recommend this book--- it was poorly written with an arrogant tone and I found that the only thing I learned from the book was that I do not miss people like her in the industry....I do miss my colleagues and my students.
Read? Nah, there are better education/teacher books out there. Don't bother with this one.
But then....then I actually picked up the book....and was reminded of exactly why I left the NYDOE.
This principal comes off so arrogant and condescending...I wanted to throw the book at her. She contradicted herself so many times--- No one should be in it for the money (but then brought up teacher salaries to prove why they needed to provide better service). A school is made up of great teachers--- and staff, but yet....she was the only one making the school so awesome. Only certain students were allowed on the Harvard trip--- those that had earned it, yet she allowed a student who had been a problem because she knew he needed it (what about the other kids who hadn't earned it, did they not need it). She also brought up how much teachers get paid for over time--- and I almost spit out my coffee....I worked at least 70 hours a week and NEVER got any overtime (the DOE would go bankrupt!). I get her intention....but she needs to take a step back and remind herself that she is not the ONLY one making that school work --- and that teachers are not the bad guys. Also--- she was exactly my pet peeve as a teacher--- meaning she taught for only a handful of years--- and then became a principal. I feel like principals should have to be a teacher for a certain amount of years (10??) so that when they become principal they remember and have walked the walk for long enough that they are credible. But, alas, I need to stop ranting.
I do not recommend this book--- it was poorly written with an arrogant tone and I found that the only thing I learned from the book was that I do not miss people like her in the industry....I do miss my colleagues and my students.
Read? Nah, there are better education/teacher books out there. Don't bother with this one.