Teacher Man -- Chapter 12

Chapter Summary

With chapter twelve, McCourt gets a new lease on life. He’s offered a position at one of the most prestigious high schools in New York, and the apple of his eye, daughter Maggie, is born not long after. Professionally and personally, life is looking up for McCourt.

At Stuyvesant High School, McCourt makes friends with his supervisor. They have drinks together, and McCourt is trusted to teach whatever grade and whatever topics he wants. Never before has McCourt been given this much freedom in the classroom, and he enjoys every minute of it.

Unfortunately, at age forty-nine, McCourt experiences another major setback. His wife divorces him, and he is forced to live in less than ideal conditions. Along the way, however, he connects with an artist who looks at the world a little differently.

Chapter Response

Personally, I thought it was really nice to see McCourt happy for once in his life. People always say that having kids changes your perspective on things, and I think McCourt would agree with that. The love he holds for his daughter is unmistakable.

I also thought it was nice to see McCourt coming out as a “real teacher” for the first time. Having the freedom to choose who and what he teaches really seems to be making him into the teacher he always wanted to be. He’s teaching literature, and he’s getting kids thinking. He’s no longer just telling stories to keep the kids entertained.

Finally, McCourt’s depiction of how students perceive their teachers is really funny. It’s true though. Kids never really want to see their teachers as being anything but teachers. They don’t want to think about their teachers being involved in relationships or doing things that would be deemed “unteacherly”. They want to believe that their learning is the only priority their teachers have. After all, the lives of students are already complicated enough as it is. They normally don’t want their teachers’ troubles thrown into the mix.

Thought Questions

1. Do you think McCourt made the right choice in ignoring Janice’s home troubles? While grading her paper, he considers letting the guidance counselor know what he’s read, but ultimately decides against it. Do you think he did this because he wanted more evidence of sexual abuse or because he thinks it’s a bad idea to get too involved in students’ personal lives? What’s your stance on reporting sexual abuse?

2. Do you think McCourt is a “sell out” for taking the job at Stuyvesant High School? These kids are the best and the brightest that New York has to offer, and they actually want to learn and become successful. Some might say that teaching them isn’t really a challenge. Do you agree with this point of view or do you think that teachers have to overcome difficult problems and issues no matter who they’re teaching?

3. Do you think it’s inappropriate for the teacher to bring his or her own life into the classroom? McCourt goes through a difficult divorce and is forced to live in less than ideal conditions. Do you think he made the right decision in not telling his students about all this?