Dragons in My Classroom: A Teacher's Memoir

Barbara, a young book lover with dyslexia, found a solution to her reading struggles through her first grade teacher, Miss Gluding. She vowed to be a better teacher than her sixth grade teacher and eventually became like her, with unattainable expectations. After seventeen years in the teaching profession, Barbara was offered the opportunity to teach overseas at The Dragon School in Oxford, England, where she had to learn to do teaching differently and rely on her faith in God.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 14 June 2022
Publisher: She Writes Press

Barbara, a young book lover with dyslexia, faced significant challenges in her reading journey. However, her first grade teacher, Miss Gluding, became a beacon of hope and support. Miss Gluding recognized Barbara's plight and demonstrated compassion, knowing how to help her overcome her dyslexia. Inspired by her teacher, Barbara aspired to become a teacher herself.

However, her journey was not without its setbacks. Barbara encountered bad teachers who further exacerbated her learning disabilities. Despite this, Barbara remained determined to follow in Miss Gluding's footsteps and become a better teacher. In 1964, she made a vow to herself to be a better teacher than her sixth grade teacher, who had been unkind to her.

Unfortunately, Barbara found herself becoming increasingly like her sixth grade teacher, with unattainable expectations for her students and herself. After seventeen years in the teaching profession, Barbara realized that she needed to make a change. She felt compelled to either alter her teaching style or pursue a different career path.

Just as Barbara stood at a crossroads, a serendipitous opportunity presented itself. She was offered the chance to teach overseas at The Dragon School in Oxford, England, for a year. Barbara saw this as a chance for a fresh start and a chance to learn new teaching methods that would not be constrained by her perfectionism.

With faith in God guiding her, Barbara embraced the opportunity to teach overseas. She willingly relinquished her knowledge of traditional teaching methods and embraced a more flexible and student-centered approach. Barbara learned to let go of her need for perfection and to focus on the growth and development of her students.

In this new setting, Barbara discovered the joy of teaching and the impact she could have on her students' lives. She learned to adapt her teaching style to meet the unique needs of each individual student and to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment. Barbara's students responded positively to her approach, and she saw them making significant progress in their academic and personal lives.

Through her journey overseas, Barbara learned the importance of starting over and embracing new opportunities. She realized that her perfectionism had been holding her back and that there was more to teaching than meeting unattainable standards. Barbara's experience at The Dragon School taught her to be patient, flexible, and compassionate, and she returned to her teaching career with a renewed sense of purpose and passion.

In conclusion, Barbara's journey as a young book lover with dyslexia was filled with challenges and setbacks. However, her encounter with Miss Gluding and her willingness to embrace new opportunities led her to become a remarkable teacher. Barbara's experience at The Dragon School taught her the value of starting over, being flexible, and embracing new teaching methods. Her students benefited from her dedication and passion, and she became a shining example of what it means to be a compassionate and effective teacher.

Weight: 322g
Dimension: 140 x 215 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781647423650