Martin Settle’s “Teaching During the Jurassic” is Wit, Wisdom and Humor in the Classroom
Podcast: Download (Duration: 42:51 — 39.3MB)
In this episode 260, we visit with Martin Settle, author of “Teaching During the Jurassic,” an introspective, poignant and often humorous take on what it means to be a teacher.
Martin calls himself an “Old Hippie Teacher. His memoir is in the vein of Bill Bryson’s “A Walk in the Woods,” but instead of the Appalachian Trail, we follow the twists and turns of Martin Settle’s teaching career from his first approach to teaching as a hippie subversive to his eventual triumph as a self-actualized person.
Part memoir, part teaching guide, this book charts the “Jurasic” period of teaching – no personal computers, no cell phones, no internet, and the introduction of new social movements in the classroom (women’s rights, civil rights, and gay rights). Settle addresses some of the universals of the profession – how to deal with administrators, behavioral problems in the classroom, the outsider student, the psychologically dangerous student, and more.
Connect With the Author
About the Author:
Martin Settle taught 15 years as a secondary school teacher at a variety of high schools both in the Midwest and the South followed by 17 years at UNC Charlotte. He has a BA in English from Quincy College, an MA in Communications from University of Illinois, and an MA in English from UNC Charlotte.
In the school system in Quincy, Illinois, he received the Teacher-of-the-Year award in 1972. His immersion in the profession allows him to speak with authority about most facets of the public school system.
Since he’s retired from teaching, he has published three books of poetry and one multi-media work (self-published): The Teleology of Dunes (Main Street Rag, 2015), Coming to Attention: developing the habit of haiku (Main Street Rag, 2016), The Backbone Alphabet (Xlibris, 2017), and Maple Samaras (Wild Leek Press, 2018). He has been awarded The Poetry of Courage Award (North Carolina Poetry Society), the Nazim Hikmet Poetry Award, and the Griffin-Farlow Haiku Award.
Praise for Teaching During the Jurassic
“Perfect for the reader who is an aspiring, current or retired educator, the book is also a must read for those who enjoy exploring the intersection between all domains of knowledge and long for hopeful possibilities for the future.”
— Robert Corbin, PhD, Educational Consultant, International, Discovery Education
“In a year that’s shown us just how essential good teachers are, Martin Settle’s book Teaching During the Jurassic will leave you with a newfound respect for this noble profession.”
—Taylor Bowler, lifestyle editor at Charlotte magazine
“There is wisdom in this book about not only enduring the teaching experience but prevailing as a self-actualized person. This memoir is a must read for all in the education profession.”
—Jackie Fishman, National Teacher Leadership Team, Facing History and Ourselves
Extra Stuff
Sign up for The Book Report for free on the Home page. We won’t spam you. That takes too much time.
Receive exclusive audio content when you become a supporter of the podcast for a small monthly contribution. You will be able to access author interviews on the craft and business of writing and other creative topics. Check out the offerings on the Exclusive Content Page or scroll through what’s available at the Patreon page.
Use promo code Charlottereader (all one word) to get a free audiobook when you join Libro.fm, the audiobook provider that supports independent book stores.
Meet Our Networks:
Queen City Podcast Network is a carefully selected collection of more than two dozen podcasts produced in and centering around Charlotte, North Carolina focused on news, non-profits, entertainment, literature, sports, food, culture, health and wellness, and comedy.
Authors on the Air Global Radio Network is an international digital media corporation comprised of more than two dozen radio talk shows, podcasts, & book reviewers interested in speaking to writers in all genres and other creative people.
Meet Our Team:
Learn About Our Social Media Team – Social Grit Marketing
Learn About Our Publicity Manager – Spellbound Public Relations
Learn about our Web Master – TM Petaccia
Thank you for listening!