Teaching is more than a job, it's a responsibility.
It's also a blessing and an honor.
A Teacher's Journey is more than one man's account of a career in education. It's an homage to a profession and to the giants whose shoulders he stood upon, that carried him through the many joys, as well as the trials and tribulations that come with this noble profession.
John Cartaina has written a wonderful account of his 53 years as an educator. You'll smile with delight at his stories of the everyday "heroes" who were his biggest influencers - from his Italian-American family members, to his teaching colleagues, to the many students who left an indelible mark on his memory.
Cartaina leaves no stone unturned as he touches on the many issues that are facing teachers and students today. His stories are universal; his characters, archetypes of the human element - with the classroom as his setting and a strong moral compass as his script.
Through the differences and the dramas woven throughout his many stories, one theme remains constant: teaching is about the children. Cartaina reminds us that "quality education will always win out over drill-and- kill for a test." His "10-Step Journey to a Strong Moral Compass" is a manifesto that serves as a reminder that the educational system, like any system, is as good as the people it's comprised of.
Anyone considering a career in education will be inspired by this book; anyone with a teaching career behind them will be reminded of the many rewards that come with the job.
A Teacher's Journey is a lesson in empathy, understanding, and acceptance - one that is guaranteed to entertain, to amuse, and to inspire any reader.
A school is a sanctuary where children learn, get inspired, and feel safe and secure. John Cartaina offers many inspiring, heartfelt stories about teachers and children based on his experience of fifty-three years as a teacher, supervisor and administrator. This is a book for people who love children and respect education as a fundamental right, and for those who are considering teaching as a profession.
