Educating Esmé

<DIV>A must-read for parents new teachers and classroom veterans <I>Educating Esmé</I> is the exuberant diary of Esmé Raji Codell's first year teaching in a Chicago public school. Fresh-mouthed and free-spirited the irrepressible Madame Esmé-as she prefers to be called-does the cha-cha during multiplication tables roller-skates down the hallways and puts on rousing performances with at-risk students in the library. Her diary opens a window into a real-life classroom from a teacher's perspective. While battling bureaucrats gang members abusive parents and her own insecurities this gifted young woman reveals what it takes to be an exceptional teacher.  <br><br>Heroine to thousands of parents and educators Esmé now shares more of her ingenious and yet down-to-earth approaches to the classroom in a supplementary guide to help new teachers hit the ground running. As relevant and iconoclastic as when it was first published <I>Educating Esmé</I> is a classic as is Madame Esmé herself. </DIV>