Walking the Talk: Putting Theory into Practice: Twenty-Five Narratives from a Faculty of Education.

This book is a compilation of essays from professors in the Faculty of Education at Nipissing University in North Bay, Ontario, exploring personal reflections on teaching and education in general, and sharing what they have learned educating preservice teachers.

The narrative format makes for an engaging read, a feeling of conversation with these professors, who are sharing their personal knowledge and experiences on a diverse range of issues. Topics covered range from how discipline in the classroom is rooted in a teacher’s sense of self to how a struggle with literacy led to a realization that the classroom must be a safe space for learning. Teaching strategies from a variety of disciplines (art, English, music, math, physical education) are discussed, but the main focus of the book is the question of what these teacher educators want their students to take away with them as they venture out into the real world of teaching. Reflections on how to look beyond the curriculum, how not to focus too much on assessment, how to connect to real life in teaching (even math), and how teaching is about much more than following a lesson plan and checking off curriculum outcomes exhibit the passion and emotion present throughout this book.

New teachers reading will discover lessons about keeping learning fun, keeping a positive attitude, staying optimistic and idealistic, and remembering to be an advocate for children, respecting the individual nature of each child. The reader is left with a strong sense that teachers should be part of building the dreams, hopes, and self-confidence our future citizens. This book will be of great interest to others who are involved in educating teachers but will also be illuminating for any type of teacher at any level. Preservice teachers will also enjoy this peek into what it is like to teach future teachers and will enjoy reading stories of other students’ journeys as they grow into becoming teachers and all the highs and lows that that entails.