I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had

My Year as a Rookie Teacher at Northeast High

By: Tony Danza

Narrated by: Tony Danza

Length: 6 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

Long before he starred on some of television’s most beloved and long-running series such as Taxi and Who’s the Boss? and went on to distinguish himself in a variety of film and stage roles, Tony Danza was a walking contradiction: an indifferent student who dreamed of being a teacher. Inspiring a classroom of students was an aspiration he put aside for decades until one day it seemed that the most meaningful thing he could do was give his dream a shot.

What followed was a year spent teaching 10th-grade English at Northeast High - Philadelphia’s largest high school with 3,600 students. Entering Northeast’s crowded halls in September 2009, Tony found his way to a classroom filled with 26 students who were determined not to cut him any slack. They cared nothing about “Mr. Danza’s” showbiz credentials, and they immediately put him on the hot seat.

It was only after experiencing abject terror for several weeks - and even dissolving into tears on several occasions - that Tony began to pick up the tricks of how to get kids to learn.

Featuring indelible portraits of students and teachers alike, I’d Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had reveals just how hard it is to keep today’s technologically savvy - and often alienated - students engaged, how impressively committed most teachers are, and the outsized role counseling plays in a teacher’s day, given the psychological burdens many students carry. The audiobook also makes vivid how a modern high school works, showing Tony in a myriad of roles - from lecturing on To Kill a Mockingbird to coaching the football team, organizing a talent show, leading far-flung field trips, and hosting teacher gripe sessions.

Inevitably, Tony’s students steal their way into our hearts - in a way that always feels authentic. A surprisingly poignant account, I’d Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had is sometimes laugh-out-loud funny but is mostly filled with hard-won wisdom and feel-good tears.

©2012 Tony Danza (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Upfront, honest, and decently accurate

What made the experience of listening to I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had the most enjoyable?

I found that the author was upfront about his biases and the fact that his experience was not typical, but in fact his teaching was much easier than most. This level of honesty gave the story an air of truth that I appreciated.

What did you like best about this story?

An honest depiction of one persons experience teaching one hard class without trying to argue that this experience was typical of anything.

It's All True

He tells the truth about what we're going through. Read this if you want an honest look at the first year of teaching.

Wonderful surprise!

I had low expectations of this book. I originally purchased as an extra at a 2 books for 1 credit sale. I am so glad I did!!! I appreciated the authenticity of the author. and the insights good & bad about his year teaching in public inner city schools. This is not your ordinary "celebrity" book. Give it a listen at least through the 3rd chapter. I bet you will be pleasantly surprised.

Compelling Tale

Not sure exactly how accurate Tony Danza's story as a short-time Teacher at an urban High School is... and I don't care! I was solidly hooked to his compelling account and completed this audio adventure relatively quick. He comes off as a man of compassion, intelligence and heart.
There's a good mixture of drama, comedy and intrigue and towards the end, I found myself wanting to hear more. So... I did; listened through most of it a second time. Unfortunately, of the dozens of audiobooks I own, only a handful have arrested my attention from start to finish and this is one of them. There a lot of great books, but not a lot of great transfers of those books to the audio theater. Which is why, this came as a pleasant surprise.

Great Listen

I enjoyed the story as it has purpose. Mr. Danza’s courage opens our eyes to the reality a majority of younger generations face in their formation as productive and well educated citizens. I applaud his endeavors and also apologize to every teacher I ever had.

Who Knew Danza Could Teach?

Being a public school teacher myself, I probably enjoyed this book more than many people may. I only wish I had the resources that Mr. Danza could call on. It would be heavenly to be able to conceive an idea and actually be able to pull it off financially. But even though he had those resources, he was still a first year teacher, facing the challenges that we all face, dealing with the discipline problems we all deal with, wondering how on earth he could impact a kid's life for the better, as we all do, grading papers nights and weekends, taking them with us to family gatherings, parties, or even the movies. But with it all, it is still the most rewarding of professions. Having a student come back and tell you, "You were my favorite teacher" makes it all worth it. I think this is something that Tony Danza learned.

An unexpected delight

Where does I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I've listened to quite a few audiobooks. This particular book ranks in the top 10% of those books.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tony Danza. Author, narrator and teacher, he was by far my favorite. Not only did he read the book, which for me always adds something special to the audio presentation and to the characters, but he painted a picture of his class that invoked both compassion for the kids and sympathy for Mr. D's plight.

I myself am a first year teacher, thrown in over my head into classes I'm barely qualified to teach. I met a friend in Mr. D's and would have liked to be in his class myself.

Which character – as performed by Tony Danza – was your favorite?

I think my favorite is when he puts the class into a character, as if they react as a single, unified force. The class talks like a single person. Those are my favorite.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Adoption fancy. Both real and heartbreaking, it is unbelievable what some city kids can go through in their lives. In the end, they are just kids. They need us both as teachers and adults. Mr. D found out how hard it is to reach students who don't have parents, or don't have a parent, or don't have anyone who cares.

The poetry section almost made me cry.

Any additional comments?

A great audio book, concise and entertaining. I recommend it to any teacher or parent.

Validates the Teaching Profession

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this audiobook to my friends...especially those who work in education. It felt good to hear someone "outside" of the field validate teaching as a profession. Mr. Danza was so intuitive about issues and constraints that teachers are faced with. As a teacher, I felt "respected" by Tony Danza merely by the choice of my career and dedication to it. I also enjoyed his fun ideas in the classroom. :)

Who was your favorite character and why?

Of course, Tony Danza! He was an inspiration...creative, caring, passionate, and dedicated.

Which scene was your favorite?

...the scenes where he shared innovative ideas for getting his students excited about learning

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

...not necessarily, but I found I couldn't wait to listen to more

Thank you Mr Danza!

...for telling our story with heart, truth, and passion. And for reminding us teachers that we are not alone in our struggle on behalf of our students.

A Story of Passion and Committment!

Tony Danza's telling of his year as a teacher was inspiring.! He took actiion to involve himself in education, some thing he has a strong convictiin for and, in an entertaining way, takes you on the emotional rollercoaster that is teaching. I was rooting for those kids and teachers and I know his impact on the kids who's lives he touched will not be soon forgotten, if ever!
I would have loved to see the whole year chronicled in the series. we could all use more hope and less drama..