Matthew Lotti

The Gifted & the Worthless Matthew Lotti

Compiled over several years as a substitute teacher - sometimes referred to as a "guest teacher" - this collection of essays covers issues in all grade levels, from kindergarten to 12th grade. It was written from the perspective of an outsider and gathers testimony and first-hand experiences of other teachers, students, principals, administrators and parents. The book details day-to-day classroom experiences ranging from the funny to the sad to the downright absurd. Some of the episodes might come as a surprise to the unaware: a teacher is a surrogate parent and must face a medley of behavioral problems, political red tape and principals incapable of running an institution.