Review: The Essential 55: An Award-Winning Educator's Rules for Discovering the Successful Student in Every Child, Revised and Updated

The Essential 55: An Award-Winning Educator's Rules for Discovering the Successful Student in Every Child, Revised and Updated by Ron Clark
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ron Clark is my educational hero... Full stop. I'm not shy about admitting that fact. I have devoured each of his books he has written, even recently re-reading Move Your Bus, which may be my favorite of his works. I recently have been connecting with him on social media, more to discuss his experience on Survivor than to talk education.

However, I saw he put out this revised copy of The Essential 55 and I ordered a signed copy for myself. Beyond the very touching inscription he made for me (comparing his experience on Survivor to mine as a cancer survivor), reading this edition after first reading the original in 2012 was like wrapping myself a warm, cozy blanket. While I would have to re-read the first edition to track the revisions, many of the principals, stories, and values I remember were still in there, with a few definite modern touches.

This is an excellent book for everyone to read - not just those of us in the teaching profession. I don't necessarily agree with all 55 rules, but the overarching theme is one I fully believe in with all my heart. It's about how to help rear children to be good humans in the future, and perhaps even reflect on oneself. It's a quick read, written in a conversational tone, and worth the time/money. While some may feel it's over the top or unrealistic, I beg to differ. This is a solid guidebook for improving the world.

Now I may have to re read Excellent 11 and End of Molasses Classes to finish out my Ron Clark 2019 binge.

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