Brandon P. Fleming could have had a totally different life. The third child to a single mother with his biological father living in a different state, Brandon and his siblings endured five years of physical and emotional abuse from their stepfather, leading Brandon to feel like the terrible things his stepfather said about him were true. Not a great male role model.
Caught up in drugs, sex, and basketball aspirations that don't pan out, Fleming finds himself out of work, out of college, and out of luck. Or so he thinks.
Miseducated is a wonderful true story about what can happen when adults don't give up on you. When kids are given skills and opportunities and shown that yes, they are worth it and they are worthy.
Thanks to his mother's GI bill, a well-read roommate who turned him on to the Harlem Renaissance, a sympathetic English teacher who modeled a different way to be a Black man, and a charismatic preacher who gave Fleming the chance and boost of confidence he needed, Fleming turned his life around and found what he was meant to do: teach young kids who were just like he had been.
I really enjoyed reading about the methods Fleming used to change these kids' lives. Introducing them to philosophy and debate gives them confidence, having them experience things instead of memorizing facts for a test. It really made me think back on my entire primary school education, which really had been "memorize this, take a test on it, rinse and repeat". But how much more excited Fleming's kids get when they are active participants in the learning and they reap the benefits of such an education.
The most important takeaway here for all readers, especially teachers reading this book, is to meet the kids where they are.
Miseducated is published by Hachette Books and is available to purchase now. I received a free e-ARC of the book in exchange for a review.
Comments
Post a Comment