Rafe esquith biography for kids
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They come during vacation. They read passionately, far above their grade level; tackle algebra, and stage Shakespeare so professionally that they often wow the great Shakespearean actor himself, Sir Ian McKellen.
Yet this takes place in Room 56, a private facility that the kids call their safe haven. Mediocrity has no place in their classroom.
These children work long hours after school and even work on Saturdays.
These children want a more challenging curriculum than traditional schools are offering. With his compelling narrative and dedication, Esquith continues to inspire educators and audiences around the globe to prioritize and transform education.
Year after year, The Hobart Shakespeareans excel.
They play rock and roll music. These kids are hungry, and they want out. And the results follow them for life, as they go on to outstanding colleges.
It is not easy, but these children dare to defy society's expectations. His exceptional contribution to education has been recognized with the President's National Medal of the Arts, making him the only teacher to have received this honor.
Esteemed figures including Oprah, the Queen, and the Dalai Lama have also acknowledged his impactful work.
An established author, Esquith has penned several influential books including "Real Talk for Real Teachers," "Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire," "There Are No Shortcuts," and "Lighting Their Fires." His insights extend beyond the classroom through his participation in the PBS documentary "The Hobart Shakespeareans" and his delivery of a TED Talk titled "Ladies and Gentlemen, the Hobart Shakespeareans." In his presentations and books, Esquith offers an insiderâs perspective on educational reform, underscoring the complexity of teaching and the critical role of family and socioeconomic background in student success.
A diet of intensive learning mixed with a lot of kindness and fun. Why do you cry? I suppose it's happiness, really, and a regret that not all the children in the world could have a Rafe Esquith for a teacher."
— Sir Ian McKellen
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Rafe Esquith
Bio
Rafe Esquith has been a fifth grade teacher for 18 years at Hobart Boulevard Elementary School in Los Angeles.
Students then perform that play at Shakespeare festivals round the country. They work their way out. His unique classroom environment at Hobart Elementary, known as Room 56, offers an unparalleled educational experience. Many of his students, who are all from a community of poor and immigrant families, startclass very early, leave late, and typicallyachieve high scores in standardized tests.
After all, there are no shortcuts.
“You can’t watch the little actors without wanting to cry.
Awards he has received for his teaching include the Walt Disney American Teacher Award for National Teacher of the Year and Parents magazine's national "As You Grow Award."
Who is Rafe Esquith?
Rafe Esquith is an award-winning Americanteacher at HobartBoulevardElementary School, in Los Angeles, California, where he has taughtsince 1984.
This includes studying a musical instrument and one of Shakespeare's plays for the entire year. Esquith's dedicated teaching has resulted in his students' consistent scoring in the top five to 10 percent nationally on standardized tests. Additionally, he has been named National Teacher of the Year.