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.

Funny and Tragic

What a great book … so many laugh out loud moments and so many touching moments.

Not your typical Dan Brown

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

loved it

well written and read. new insight of teacher's experiences and student's experience of teacher's. nothing else to say but you want more words.

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.