The Great Expectations School

A Rookie Year in the New Blackboard Jungle

By: Dan Brown

Narrated by: Gregory St. John

At 22, Dan Brown came to the Bronx's P.S. 85 as an eager, fresh-faced teacher. Unbeknownst to him, his assigned class, 4-217, was the designated "dumping ground" for all fourth-grade problem cases, and his students would prove to be more challenging than he could ever anticipate. Intent on being a caring, dedicated teacher but confronted with unruly children, absent parents, and a failing administration, Dan was pushed to the limit time and again: he found himself screaming with rage, punching his fist through a blackboard out of sheer frustration, often just wanting to give up and walk away.

Yet in this seeming chaos, he slowly learned from his own mistakes and discovered an unexpected well of inspiration to discipline and teach and make a difference. The Great Expectations School is the touching journey of Class 4-217 and their teacher, Mr. Brown, but more than that, it is the revealing story of a broken educational system and all those struggling within and fighting against it.

©2007, 2011 Dan Brown (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Not your typical Dan Brown

I’m a teacher so a lot of his experiences in this book really hit home with me.

A real eye opener for people who don't work in the public education system.

So much of the book hit home for me as a person who works in the public education system. It has given me more inspiration to keep doing my job to help children reach their fullest potential in spite of the circumstances. Especially now, in the current political nightmare we face as educators.

The truth and the honesty.

I was swept away with the truth and the honesty of the challenges of teaching in public schools. It brought back many memories of my experiences as a child finding myself in an unfamiliar and hostile environment. I remember fondly my fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Markus, She praised my creativity and was the first to make me feel comfortable in my own skin. She was fired because of a complaint her habit of punishing bad behavior. A year later at a school event a small group of saw Mrs. Markus in a group of other teachers. I with a small group of other students ran to her calling her name and hugging her as long lost friend. So happy to have seen her again. I am 79 years old I still remember her and that moment of reconnecting and all the hope she bestowed upon me to do the best I can.

Every teacher should read

If you've lived the life of a teacher you will NEVER regret this read. Hopeful.

Retired teacher has walked in Dan Browns shoes, and then some.

Im a retired teacher and can relate to all situations, fears, doubts and successes that are shared in this book. I loved the summation of “caring” being at the heart of good teaching.