Author Interview: Esmé Raji Codell

It’s hard to believe, but the book Educating Esmé is ten years old. I remember reading this book for the first time and alternately shaking my head, giggling, and gripping the edge of my seat. More than anything, I wanted to spend an hour, a day, a week, or a year in that classroom. In case you haven’t read it, Educating Esmé tells the story of first-year teacher Esmé Raji Codell and her students in a Chicago public school. While her approach isn’t exactly by the books, Esmé certainly is effective and inspiring. To mark the ten-year anniversary, there’s now an updated version of the book with new material, including a forward by Bridge to Terabithia author Katherine Paterson, a section of advice for teachers and teachers-to-be, and a uniquely Esmé shopping list for a teacher’s first classroom. We contacted Esmé Raji Codell for an update–and a quick dose of inspiration.

What’s the best way for a teacher to revitalize herself or himself and stay inspired?

A lot of teachers go into education because they love children, but on a bad day children can cure you of that. So much of burnout can be the result of trying to control other people’s behavior. I think the best way for teachers to revitalize themselves is to pursue outside interests. When you hone in on what you uniquely have to share and broaden that circle of interest, you garner a contagious enthusiasm, an investment in content, and a passion for life and learning that will help you get back on track even on the days when children’s behavior is less than lovable. The new Educating Esmé includes 25 pieces of advice for new teachers, including hints on creating personal balance and teacher affirmations that really work.

What kind of person do you encourage to go into teaching? What kind of person do you discourage from becoming a teacher?

Great question! I encourage anyone who has wanted to be 20 different things when they grow up to be a teacher. I think a solid teaching candidate is one who is comfortable with dichotomies. He or she should be compassionate but consistent, good at both laughing and crying, organized and good at thinking a few steps ahead but at the same time spontaneous enough to accept that every day–and every child–is going to be different.

I don’t think I’d discourage anyone from trying their hand at teaching. I would encourage people who get on a fast track to “give back” by committing the time to explore the craft and become credentialed before entering the classroom because the children deserve that much from us as professionals.

What’s the most memorable thing a child ever said to you?
“Thank you.”

What’s the one thing you think every teacher should try in the classroom?

Read aloud! According to the national report “Becoming a Nation of Readers,” across the grade levels “the single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children.” More than that, it’s a joy. It builds community, and it’s something both teacher and student can look forward to every day. In a world of pedagogical broccoli, read-aloud is the chocolate cake. Visit my website, www.planetesme.blogspot.com, for reviews of the best new classroom read-alouds.

What are a few of your favorite children’s books?
I love picture books that I can share across the grade levels, such as Wolf by Becky Bloom, The Wretched Stone by Chris Van Allsburg, and The Empty Pot by Demi. I am a huge fan of the versatile picture book biography genre; Kid Blink Beats the World by Don Brown is always a hit. My favorite chapter book is King Matt the First, by Janusz Korczak, which is about a boy who tries to run a country of children. I also love classic greats like Jerry Spinelli’s Maniac Magee and Bernard Waber’s good ole Lyle the Crocodile series.

Is technology having an impact on children, teachers, and schools?
Yes, and I think the impact is largely positive! Technology offers a great opportunity for connection between home and school, plus online mentorship and professional development. It can streamline chores like grading and list-making. Creating classroom materials has become fun and easy using computers, and the results are attractive.

On the student side, kids have become super information treasure hunters. Their research skills have developed exponentially over years past; many of them grew up with the equivalent of a modern Library of Alexandria in their homes via the Internet. I think the impact of this on schools and educators is that we have to become more adept at fostering media and visual literacy, helping children to navigate a world of information and process what they encounter, and use it to create original instead of derivative work. I think as educators we must also be vigilant about narrowing the digital divide, making sure the proliferation of computer use is not just another occasion to separate haves from have-nots. Technology is another chance to assert our commitment as teachers to equity in education.

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The updated Educating Esmé comes out on September 1, 2009. Once you read it, you may not decide to roller-skate down the hall like Esmé, but no doubt the ideas will be flowing for creative and unique approaches that you can try this year. You’ll invigorate yourself and capture your students’ attention. What a wonderful way to start your school year!

Enjoy!