When Teachers Talk

Title: When Teachers Talkthere is a crisis in the school systems across
America. The majority of teachers involved
Publisher: Goldenring Publishing, LLCworked under stressful and at times unbearable
ISBN: 978-0-578-00563-8conditions due to their principals' abuse. There
Reviewer: Karen Cioffi, Anyone who works in, orwere some who actually left schools because of
has worked in the Public School System will lovethe principals' actions. Some ended up sick from
When Teachers Talk. While I am not a teacherthe stress. And, there were those who knew
myself, I have a number of family members andteachers who just up and left the profession as a
friends who are. This book tells it like it is. Itdirect result of principal abuse.
reflects the whispers and thoughts of thousandsAlong with the abuse teachers suffer at the hand
of teachers across the country.of principals is the lack of support from
Schnall, a retired teacher with 35 yearsadministration and the teachers' union. Many of
experience with the Chicago Public Schoolthe teachers voiced concern that their principals
System, realizes our education system is lacking indo not support them when it comes to issues
many areas, including effective and justwith the children or their parents. Knowing a
management of teachers and children. Schnall rosenumber of teachers, this is a very common
to the occasion and decided to create a surveycomplaint. Some teachers work in dangerous
of teachers within the Chicago system. Sheareas, and each year it seems the problem and
focused on principal abuse of teachers.uncontrollable children increase. It's essential that
When Teachers Talk is a compilation of 500teachers know the administration is there to
interviews that Schnall conducted with Chicagosupport them.
public school teachers. It covers overt abuse ofSchnall includes a random survey and interview of
teachers; the quality of education's decline; lack often additional teachers from the largest school
administrative support for teachers; politics andsystems across the country. This small sample
the school system; how the children suffer;reflects the larger Chicago study. She also includes
teacher attrition; what good teachers feel abouta section that provides the teachers an
the profession; and it touches on those principalsopportunity to suggest solutions to this
who actually do their jobs with humanity, fairness,widespread problem.
and proficiency.When Teachers Talk is an enlightening and
Interestingly, but not surprisingly, the teacherssobering read. It makes clear our education
involved in the survey all wanted and needed tosystem is in dire need of repair. I recommend this
make sure their responses would be anonymous.book; I think it's vital that everyone is aware of
This was for fear of reprisal from their principals.what's going on and insists on change.
When Teachers Talk reveals that it is apparent