The Great Expectations School

A Rookie Year in the New Blackboard Jungle

De: Dan Brown

Narrado por: Gregory St. John

At 22, Dan Brown came to the Bronx's P.S. 85 as an eager, fresh-faced teacher. Unbeknownst to him, his assigned class, 4-217, was the designated "dumping ground" for all fourth-grade problem cases, and his students would prove to be more challenging than he could ever anticipate. Intent on being a caring, dedicated teacher but confronted with unruly children, absent parents, and a failing administration, Dan was pushed to the limit time and again: he found himself screaming with rage, punching his fist through a blackboard out of sheer frustration, often just wanting to give up and walk away.

Yet in this seeming chaos, he slowly learned from his own mistakes and discovered an unexpected well of inspiration to discipline and teach and make a difference. The Great Expectations School is the touching journey of Class 4-217 and their teacher, Mr. Brown, but more than that, it is the revealing story of a broken educational system and all those struggling within and fighting against it.

©2007, 2011 Dan Brown (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Not your typical Dan Brown

I’m a teacher so a lot of his experiences in this book really hit home with me.

The fortitude of teachers in the public schools in deprived communities

This story of transition and survival of a committed teacher in a socially deprived area in New York City was inspirational. The reading transmitted the spirit of the story.

Phenomenal

The experiences of Dan Brown in a Bronx school with his observation are profound and enlightening. A must read to any educator. But still very interesting to everyone.

I had to stop

The book is well written and shows insight into what must be the most miserable job on earth. I am not a school teacher but the frustration of this character mad me angry to the point I had to turn it off. Probably a great book for someone just not me.

Interesting account of a part of Mr. Brown’s life

This is about Dan Brown’s early years of teaching. His account of public school systems is informative, sometimes upsetting and heartfelt.
Very good story. It’s almost like a diary.
Don’t care for the narrator though. He’s got an awkward tone and would sound angry sometimes when I didn’t think it matched the words.
But not bad to listen to on a road trip or while cleaning house.

Every teacher should read

If you've lived the life of a teacher you will NEVER regret this read. Hopeful.

Retired teacher has walked in Dan Browns shoes, and then some.

Im a retired teacher and can relate to all situations, fears, doubts and successes that are shared in this book. I loved the summation of “caring” being at the heart of good teaching.

The Great Expectations School

This is a true story of author Dan Brown who is best known for his Angels and Demons symbology stories as his beginning year as an educator in The Bronx of New York City. Anyone who has a grade school through high school age child or is an educator ought to read this or anyone who just wants a good read

A real disappointment

The reader was so-so but the story was drawn out with no real climax. I am a Dan Brown fan so this was a real let down for me. Unless you are a school teacher I would pass on this one.