WORK HARD. BE NICE. How Two Inspired Teachers Created the Most Promising Schools in America

During their first teaching assignment in Houston, two freshly minted educators, unhappy with the way underperforming students were served, invented an alternative model, which they’ve exported to school systems across the country. This account of the KIPP teaching system they developed is less a discussion of their educational methods than the heartwarming story of their commitment, hard work, and respect for students and families. Along with a fascinating palette of tone and phrasing variations, Paul Boehmer’s performance adds a fitting amount of admiration for the authors’ achievements. His warmth and vocal skills keep the narrative from losing momentum when its focus blurs or the writing needs to be condensed. T.W. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2010]