Teacher: Mastering the Art and Craft of Teaching Paperback – Illustrated, 7 Jun. 2012

After enjoying Tom Bennett's 'Behaviour Guru' blog with his laugh out loud insights and observations, that only just remain on the the right side of the line, I was very much looking forward to his new book. It did not disappoint. Tom's knowledge surrounding the teaching profession offers a deeper understanding of what it means to be a teacher, written in an accessible, entertaining way.His love of the profession is infectious, as is his enthusiasm to motivate others to be the best teacher possible. That said, the book is from the perspective of a real live teacher who acknowledges that everyday won't be apples and Dead Poets. You don't have to agree with every strategy he suggests or position he takes in order to get great value from reading this book. Can't recommend it enough!

To say this book makes me laugh out loud then suddenly sober up as I realise the serious point Tom has just made afterwards is to admit that Atilla the Hun was not the most diplomatic of hairy horse-borne Mongolians. This book gives you advice. chuckles and a bloody good insight into the world of teaching and how to survive it. Time and again I said to myself, seen this, done that and got the T shirt for THAT lesson! Tom's advice is sound and sprinkled with little gems of pixie dust but ends by saying "By now you should realize one simple truth about becoming a better teacher: Teacher training goes on forever." This book will help with that!

This book will help you to be a better teacher whilst daunting you along the way, a test of steel maybe. This is a book that will make you proud to fly the colours of being a 'teacher' and reveal some ideas you won't have thought of I'm sure!

Funny, opinionated, thoughtful and thought-provoking. Everything we have come to expect from Tom Bennett's writing. Teachers - whether prospective, newly-qualified or grizzled ancients like Tom - should read this book. You may not agree with everything he says, but he will make you think. And he will make you a better teacher.

This is... a difficult book to review. It it presented and marketed as a practical guide... but it is not. The first 2/3 of the book are all about virtue ethics and the history and philosophy of education. Only at the very end do we get any helpful tips for what to do in the classroom rather than how to improve our character. As a philosophy of education book, it is good. But as a guide to help you "master the art and craft of teaching?" Not so good. If that is what you are after, Bennet's other book "The Behaviour Guru" far surpasses this one, alternatively, Phil Beadle's "How to Teach" is brilliant.

More than a survival guide or a list of tips, Bennett has written a modern day epistle for those of us at the whiteboard face. This is an accessible and enjoyable read that zings with resonance for the busy but reflective teacher.

A great philosophical book with a slightly misleading title...

This is a great read. Interesting and amusing, I've been a teacher for sixteen years and it made me think about what I'm doing more carefully. I've already recommended it to my mentees.