Teacher Man Frank Mccaourt Analysis

Frank McCourt is a teacher and Teacher Man is his memoir. It is a compilation of his stories and experiences, good and bad, as a teacher. This memoir is his chance to be honest about the profession and his journey to finding himself and reaching his full potential as an educator. The title of this memoir came from his students, believe it or not. Many times they would call him Man or Teacher and by the end of his time Teacher Man became his new name. Teacher Man is a compelling memoir because it shows the harsh reality of becoming a teacher and the real problems that teachers face every day, not just in the school, but at home as well. McCourt opens his life to everyone and proves that educators have a life outside of school and classes, even

However, one particular incident showed he was not a good teacher, but it showed real problems that any teacher could face. In one of his stories he watches as Augies’s dad “carries him over to the wall, bangs him, repeatedly against the wall” (McCourt 91) and he does nothing. As a teacher it is his job to protect his students even if it is from their own parents. McCourt should have done something to help his student, who was clearly getting beaten right in front of him. It is scary as a teacher knowing that the thing that is hurting my students could be the same person that needs to nurture and care for them. Another story that stuck out to me in this book is when McCourt was talking to Kevin’s mom and he tells her “‘I did little for your son,’” (McCourt 99) when in reality he impacted Kevin more than he knew. As a teacher our impact on students may be unknown, but we are always influencing students in some way, shape, or form. McCourt did not know it at the time, but he changed Kevin’s life for the better. He did something no other teacher did, give him a chance. School was not Kevin’s favorite, but McCourt did not write him off as a bad student right away, he gave him a chance which is something every teacher should do for every student. Finally, the fact that McCourt “suggested she go to college” (McCourt 109) even though the student went to a vocational and technical high school speaks volumes. Granted the school is preparing her for life after and giving her the opportunity to get a job right away. He is pushing his students to go above and beyond what is typically expected of them, which is something all teacher should do regardless of where or who they teach. These three moments are times that any teacher can face, which is extremely scary. Overall, a teacher must always look out for the well-being of his or her