The Education Animal: Thoughts of a U.S. Army Infantry Sergeant turned Schoolteacher on Life, Experiences, Education, Values, and Leadership - Softcover

Swapp, Andrew G.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1507784627 ISBN 13: 9781507784624

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2015

Synopsis

Sergeant Andrew Swapp, the author of this thought-provoking book, is a retired United States Army Infantry Sergeant who is just completing a decade and a half as an engineering and technology teacher in a small public school in rural America. By his own admission, his county has more cows than people. With insight, courage and passion, he brings a crystal clear voice to modern education issues from the person who has walked the walk and talked the talk. This is a book every parent, every teacher and every education administrator in America should read so that they could see not everyone thinks the same about education. It is respectful, well-argued and thoughtfully considered, but it is a barn-burner to established thought on many education issues. With the insight and simplicity of a Thoreau, the author cuts through mountains of data, lakes of statistics and miles of theory, and brings readers back to long-forgotten basics. In this book you will discover some simple, basic truths about effective education: - Students with involved parents almost always do better. - Students in small classes do better. - Students who want to go somewhere with their lives do better. - Teachers who respect all types of students do better. - Teachers who put themselves into their lessons do better. - Teachers who can put things into an analogy do better. Sergeant Swapp challenges the idea that improving an education system just means throwing money and a new program at it. He suggests it would be more pertinent if society questioned whether young people in school are getting the essential instruction needed to lead a happy and fulfilling life and become a productive citizen. He questions whether a teacher can teach without values and says the most patriotic act in America today is good –parenting. The author has suffered for his opinions because his voice does not join a common chorus. He has been accused of being a radical by various education administrators. That has not silenced him. In his own words, he makes his case: “I have gone to a foreign country and thrown lead at people and had lead thrown back at me in the name of protecting our Constitution. Don’t think for one second that I will ever not voice my opinion on this level. I have fought for my country and for my Constitution and you are making me out to be a radical?” This is a book for anyone who wants to look at education from a different perspective. It is for those who seek insight into what a man who has stood up for his country and shapes the lives of hundreds of students has learned and is willing to share. It is a thoughtful voice, and a voice that is very much needed to fuel further debate on the future of this country’s educational systems.

About this title

About the Author

Andrew G. Swapp was born in Kanab, Utah. He graduated from High school in Emery County, Utah where he enlisted in the U.S. Army. After a medical retirement from the Army in 1996 he met the love of his life and married Sharla Angell. After a wonderful time at Southern Utah University he graduated with honors and became the new, Milford High School shop teacher. This was a dream come true for him, to live on a farm, teach shop, and have the greatest family imaginable. His love for life and curious nature drove him to become the local teacher of the year in 2005, UACTE teacher of the year in 2009, the ITEEA teacher of excellence in 2010, and he was awarded the governor’s economic visionary award in 2011. With all of his military awards, education awards, and academic honors he still loves to haul hay, work hard, and sweat!

Edition details

• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 1507784627
• ISBN 13: 9781507784624
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 130