Teaching in tough places (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798349419737)

Tales from the height of the violent gang era. One teacher narrates the story of two schools that took on delinquency, gangs, and self-destruction on a Native American reservation and in South Central Los Angeles. Reinventing themselves, schools caught in the crossfire of destructive gang wars decide that kids and character come before mandates and curriculum. They make it their task to fight for the souls of their most difficult youth. Inspiring, harrowing, and revolutionary in the questions it asks about the purpose of education.

Arturo Hernandez-Sametier has been a teacher, counselor, and principal in high-risk, challenged urban and rural environments across the U.S. and Indian Country. He was honored as Educator of the Year in 2006.