Why Read Books?
A conversation between two English teachers on the state of the profession, and runaway empathy as misplaced love
I sat down for converation yesterday with a Twitter mutual, James A Furey. He’s an English teacher who has spent time in both public schools and private. James was diagnosed early as a gifted kid, but due to an early “curve ball” and permissive authority figures, spent the better part of 15 years languishing in self-destructive behavior, fueled in part by overly empathic teachers and parents. Reading Old Books opened up worlds, and crucially, perspective.
James came to my attention through Twitter, and I was immediately drawn to his penchant to say true things. This willingness to say true things, especially from a teacher who has been in the trenches, is refreshing. Check out our conversation HERE as we delve into the profession, and why he still thinks reading “classics” is not optional.
Great discussion if predictably depressing. Can this be turned into a podcast?
I’m intrigued as always by the pathology of the ladder choppers (TM). Our generation is the last generation schooled in the canon. We are the heirs who then decided to sit on our inheritance, enjoy it - especially the status we have acquired from it - and then let the ladder disintegrate beneath us. The same applies across institutions - your favourite one especially.