An interesting exploration of an American teacher's year spent teaching at a prep school in Oxford, and how it affected her personal and professional development. The author was not afraid to examine her own flaws as a teacher, so this could be a useful work for those entering the profession.

This was an interesting memoir, but not quite what I expected. It began talking about the author's experience of dyslexia and about her becoming inspired to be a teacher. I was expecting details of how she helped others with the same problem, but this felt much more like a travelogue. As a teacher myself (who trained in Oxford!) it was fascinating to read about an American moving here and discovering the beautiful buildings and area, and the differences in education. However, a lot of the book was dedicated more to the difficulties she had being away from her husband and their relationship issues. She also came off as quite naive, especially with her teaching in very middle class private schools. The blurb also made much of the religious theme to this book. I was concerned that this would be a little jarring, but actually it was nice to hear about how she found spiritual sustenance in the music and architecture of the Oxford college services. Recommended as a snapshot of Oxford in the 80s, but not quite what I expected.

Barbara Kennard knew that she wanted to become a teacher from a young age, like her first-grade teacher. She did not want to be over bearing, like her sixth-grade teacher.

Let me start from the beginning. Barbara had a learning disability, dyslexia. It is a very common problem but when she went to school, there was no such thing as special education. Luckily for her, her first-grade teacher would not give up on her and she learned to read. That teacher influenced her so much that she wanted to follow in her foot steps. Even though when she started sixth grade, she was discouraged by her over bearing teacher.

I completely understood how she felt. You see, I also had dyslexia and struggle to learn how to read, write and do basic math. By the time I went to school, in the 60’s, my school had a special education first grade class. My teacher, Mrs. Conden, had the patience of a saint and I learned. Once I caught on how to read, you could not get me to stop! However, I also had a terrible Kindergarten teacher who punished me for things like not being able to cut out a heart on Valentine’s day that actually looked like a heart. Of course, that was from the dyslexia as well. At least, I know that now, as an adult who had studied disabilities towards my Social work degree. I also had an over bearing fifth grade teacher.

I wanted to be in a helping profession, like Ms. Kennard but certainly not teaching, due to my negative experiences! That is where we differ. She wanted to be like her first-grade teacher and not her sixth-grade teacher. She succeeded in becoming a teacher. She loved teaching in a Montessori school but eventually ended up teaching in an all-boys school in Boston. That was more challenging for her. Between the administration and the parents, she started to feel burned out.

A friend of hers, from the administration came to talk with her one day. He could tell that she was feeling burnt out. He told her about a program they had with a school in Oxford, England. Teachers would swap places for two years. He said that he did it and he gained an entirely new perspective from it. After discussing it with her husband, she decided to do it and moved to Oxford for 2 years. It was named the Dragon school.

She loved the experience and grew leaps and bounds from the experience. After the 2 years she was back in Boston with renewed energy. She had a new outlook. How so you ask? Sorry, I am not giving away any spoilers here, you will have to read the book. Yeah, I can hear you now, “but a book about teaching must be boring!” Well, I am here to tell you, not this book, not ‘Dragons In My Classroom’!

Ms. Kennard writes with poetic prose that is anything but boring. She writes lovingly about her students, about Boston, and Oxford. I felt like I was there, as her friend and assistant teacher. You don’t have to be a teacher, parent, or student to love this memoir! It has something to teach everyone while entertaining at the same time. She has achieved so much, especially for someone with dyslexia!

Kennard writes from the heart and I cannot recommend ‘Dragons In My Classroom’ highly enough. If you do read it, please come back and share your thoughts. In fact, I think it would make for excellent book club discussion!