The inspirational story of one maverick fifth grade teacher, and the ways he helps his students excel.How does he do it? Rafe Esquith's students live in a poor, gang-and-drug-infested world--and perform Shakespeare. Most come from impoverished, single-family homes. Yet they go to school six days a week, score in the top 5 to 10 percent nationally in standardized tests, and attend the finest universities in the world. Esquith's answer? Spend time with them, expect more from them, and take them out to see the world.
The result is the stuff of miracles. His 10-year old students perform unabridged Shakespeare plays around the world and read complex classic literature. His Hobart Shakespeareans, as Esquith's students are known, have performed at the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Press Club, and the Globe Theater in London.
Esquith raises the bar and expects the most from his students. He pushes each child hard and believes deeply in his self-described job descriptions: To show children worlds beyond the ones outside their classroom windows. There Are No Shortcuts demonstrates clearly that by celebrating and strenthening the qualities that build strong character, kids can enjoy a future of hope and possibility.