Wall Of Fame: One Teacher, One Class, and the Power to Save Schools and Transform Lives

Amazon.com Product Description:

As public education declined many Americans despaired of their children's future, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jonathan Freedman volunteered as a writing mentor in some of California's toughest inner-city schools. He discovered a program called AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) that gave him hope.

In this work of creative non-fiction, Mr. Freedman interweaves the lives of AVID's founder, Mary Catherine Swanson, and six of her original AVID students over a 20-year period, from 1980-2000. With powerful personalities, explosive conflicts, and compelling action, Wall of Fame portrays the dramatic story of how one teacher in one classroom created a pragmatic program that has propelled thousands of students to college. This story of determination, courage, and hope inspires a new generation of teachers, students, and parents to fight for change from the bottom up.

Reviews
"A wonderful book about a true American heroine, Mary Catherine Swanson, who developed the AVID program..."

-- Gene I Maeroff, Director, Hechinger Institute on Education and Media at Columbia University

"For thoughtfulness, fairness, and an unslackable drive to be a solution oriented journalist, I admire few reporters more than Freedman."

-- Colman McCarthy, 1999 Washington Post

"Real life, real education-a story that demonstrates the power of teaching, learning, and commitment."

-- Sandra McBrayer, 1994 National Teacher of the Year