MovieChat Forums > The Hobart Shakespeareans (2005) Discussion > Valuable links re: The Hobart Shakespear...

Valuable links re: The Hobart Shakespeareans

posted 15 years ago by angelofvic
2 replies | jump to latest

These are links re: THE HOBART SHAKESPEAREANS, the PBS documentary on Rafe Esquith, 1992 American Teacher of the Year and also National Medal of Arts recipient (plus several other teaching awards, including Oprah's Use Your Life Award), who teaches fifth-grade in a dangerous, poor, drug-infested 100% Latino/Asian neighborhood in L.A. to kids whose parents do not speak English.

He even has them performing an entire Shakespeare play to live audiences every year. The film had me in tears several times, and the kids themselves were in tears several times -- when Rafe is reading and describing Huck Finn's difficult choice about turning Jim in; and when the school year ends and the fun and learning is over for the students.

Like Ron Clark, Rafe does even much more than this with these students, and he makes sure they are well-loved, well-traveled, and well-equipped not only to continue their academic trajectories, but also to live wisely and richly. He is the author of a well-known book describing his teaching philosophy, insights, and methodology.

The film is called The Hobart Shakespearians, and is a grand inspiration and absolutely full of ideas and hope and sensible advice!

Here are some valuable links on the film and also on Rafe's methods and inspirational advice:

http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2005/hobart/index.html

http://www.pbs.org/pov/hobart/about_rafe.php

http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2005/hobart/for.html

This one has a 7-minute interview with Rafe by David Brancoccio (from the PBS show NOW): http://www.pbs.org/now/arts/esquith.html

To Purchase: http://www.shoppbs.org/product/index.jsp?productId=2134835

http://www.hobartshakespeareans.org

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS DVD/VIDEO TO EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY TO EVERY SINGLE ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL AND EVEN HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER!

.

[–] kumabearkuso-1 14 years ago

I have see this video several times, and I agree that it is worth watching. I have been teaching 30+ years in AZ. I have taught in schools similar to Hobart, so I know what Rafe is experiencing. It is so refreshing to see that he doesn't give up...even though he would like to at times.

I have watched (on youtube) a presentation Rafe did for a corporation and found out more things that he does with his classes....like everyone has a job, they get "paid" and the "money" that each student earns goes for things like rent for the desk they use...some desks fetch a higher price because of where the desk is located in the classroom. Rafe said that some of the students decided to earn enough to "buy" more than 1 desk and they rent it out to someone in class. What a great way to teach how to handle money!

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious."
Kate

[–] angelofvic 14 years ago

Cool. Good for you being a great teacher, too. Have you watched The Ron Clark Story? It's another very inspirational true-story film about a teacher. Ron Clark's site is also awesome and has a great message board, which lots of teachers post on.

Those YouTube clips sound great. Coukd you post them on this board or thread? Thanks.

Cheers!

.