Book Review:Teaching from the Heartby Jonti Marks  

This little tome should be kept in your drawer/briefcase pocket/tablet case for those moments of despair and frustration that hit all teachers at some time.

Featuring 100 ‘meditations for teachers’ and a commentary on each, Jonti Mark’s self-published book brings together words from some of the most famous teachers, educators and historical figures to inspire, to chivvy, and make you reflect.

Jonti, a teacher of 27 years, describes the profession as ‘the noblest’ – he might be going a little far here but I can see where he is coming from. The pressures we face and the diminished position we currently hold in the nation’s consciousness are unprecedented. Maybe this little tome is just what we need to give ourselves a boost.

Albert Einstein, Sir Ken Robinson, Plutarch and Aristotle feature here. And many themes are covered. We have the philosophical (Ted Wragg’s ‘nobody loves a bad teacher’) and the practical (Malcolm S Forbes ‘The purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open one’).

Then there is the political (John Lubbock’s ‘Our great mistake in education is … the worship of book learning… We train the memory instead of cultivating the mind.’) and inspirational (Confucius ‘Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breed peace.’)

I must say, Jonti has chosen some rather straight-talking subjects – for example.

In all, I was cynical at first, thinking this was going to be a preach-fest. I am pleased to say after delving in, I’m a convert. A quirky little book worth looking at.

Review by Allison Johnstone