Authored by Amanda Ripley
I read this book with both my parent and researcher hat on. Ripley, a journalist, explores education and student experience in three countries often heralded as among the best performing in the world: Finland, South Korea, and Poland. To gather data, Ripley draws upon the case studies of three American students, each studying abroad for a year. The three students offer insights into the life of students abroad. In Finland, we encounter old fashioned, technology free classrooms where teachers are valued and love what they do. In South Korea, we hear of the motivation of many ambitious students and parents in competitive spaces, some studying at hagwons (cramming schools) until after midnight. And in Poland, a country that has invested heavily in education over the past ten years, Ripley presents a case study of academic achievement over social interaction. Yet all three countries have one thing in common- highly trained, dedicated, and passionate teachers, who are recognised for their contributions to the education system. As a parent and an educator, it was the valuing of teachers in other countries that struck me the most. There are lessons to be learned as to the link between educator wellbeing and student achievement.
You can purchase a copy of this book here: The Smartest Kids in the World