I've got this book since 2005 when I had passed the exam to be an English teacher. It was a present from Mr. Kim who I respect very much.

This book is about an elementary school teacher who has been working in an inner-city school in L.A. called Jungle for about 20 years. While reading the prologue, I could feel that my heart was thumping with joy and enlightenment.

He was saying like this.

"I've learned sth in my first 19 years in the classroom: all teachers, even the best ones, get knocked down. The difference between the best ones and the others is that the best ones always get up to answer the bell. May you always get up. It is a child ringing the bell, and he needs your help."

I really liked his metaphor here and couldn't wait to read this book and find out what he's done in his classroom. In a nutshell, he was a great teacher really. I wouldn't do like him at all. How could he spend his money for equipment or supplies for his students doing other several works everyday after school.

And the other thing I got from this book is that now I can see the picture of the American education system, district schools and teachers. It was quite interesting to me. There are many things which are different from here in Korea but at the same time there are lots of things in common.

I jotted down some impressive and toching words from him.

"My reading lesson is like an orchestra, and as the conductor, I have the job to make the instrument sing."

"The hard part is to let go and allow the child take what you have taught and go off on his own journey."