http://www.gladwell.com/2008/2008_12_15_a_teacher.html
Gladwell's latest New Yorker article
And a link to all of them...
http://www.gladwell.com/archive.html
Whenever I see anything by Malcolm Gladwell, I read it. He is simply one of our most brilliant nonfiction writers right now and perhaps ever. MHS library has Blink, Tipping Point, and Outliers, all fantastic reads if you are interested in why the world is the way it is. All three focus on complicated concepts like decision making, success, and group dynamics.
I especially love Outliers-- a study of what makes people successful. Gladwell's theory is that those who are successful all have hidden advantages that, when combined with hard work, intellect, and/or natural ability, create success. For me the most important revelation is that we all need help on our way to success. Having one advocate in you life can be the difference between success and failure, which of course is why our job as educators is so important.
If you'd like to leave a comment think about this question: What makes a good teacher? And if we know this, how can assure that every classroom has one? Finally, do we believe that the US is willing to put forth the money and time needed to make this possible?
