Page 8 | West End Word


Middle School Teacher Pens Imaginative Debut Novel, “Teacher Of The Year”


Book Review


by Jennifer Alexander “Teacher of the Year” by Edward


Scott Ibur is a fanciful novel about an unusual year in the life of a seventh- grade English teacher. Ibur is a St. Louis native who


has been a middle school teacher for 20 years. He is also a professional musician. In this debut novel, Ibur blends teaching and music experience in an imaginative farce. Scott Eisenberg, the book’s


main character, is an experienced teacher who is informed that due to unsatisfactory performance evaluations he will be assigned an Intensive Assistance Interventionist for the next school year. He believes that he is being punished because of his students’ results on the state standardized tests, but submits to the humiliation to keep his job. Scott soon learns he will be assisted


by not one interventionist, or “shadow,” but three. Sherpa Lohan is a giant Nepalese man with long black hair and a cloak made from the skins of yak and mountain sheep. He commutes to and from school on a giant unicycle. Lohan was unable to follow in the footsteps of his Sherpa ancestors because of his fear of heights. He serves as an emotional sherpa, guiding Scott


through his difficult year. Scott’s second shadow is 2-Turns,


short for 2-Turntables, an African- American man wearing a white sweat suit, a rhinestone encrusted bucket hat and multiple gold chains. 2-Turns will assist in the classroom by playing background music chosen for whatever is happening. He describes himself as “more music commentator MC than master of ceremonies MC.” Despite Scott’s


objections,


turntables, a computer, speakers and stacks of CDs and records are set up at the front of the classroom. In any situation, 2-Turns instantly plays a relevant song. His choices range from opera to classic rock to hip hop. A running joke is that characters repeatedly ignore his broad musical taste and call 2-Turns a rapper simply because of his appearance. The third shadow is a retired army


general. Vietnam War veteran General Hubert Holmes sets up his own desk in the classroom complete with a microphone and an American flag. The general wants to become a military adviser on a cable news station, and he hopes to use the classroom as an audition of sorts. He leads a daily morning exercise routine for Scott and the other shadows and begins a torrid affair with the art teacher. From this initial improbable set up,


things become increasingly ridiculous. Scott weathers multiple bizarre episodes, each presumably illustrating a challenge of the teaching life. The examples are exaggerated to the


Join us at our new location! 7 North Gore Ave., Webster Groves


For over 60 years Ackermann’s Swim Program has taught ages 4-11 to swim. Group lessons in four varied- depth heated pools. Playground and pavilion area.


Join American Midwest Tae Kwon Do Academy (703-9040, 7 N. Gore) at their new location. Excellent instruction for children through adults, in tae kwon do and hapkido. www.americanmidwesttkd.com


BCC Early Childhood Center (962-0537) serves 8 months to 5 years. Since 1985 BCCEEC has provided a positive attitude towards learning and a foundation for school success.


breaking point. The humor throughout the novel is somewhat vulgar, effectively conjuring the atmosphere of middle school. The enjoyable passages are those


that describe Scott’s actual lessons. His instruction and assignments suggest that a genuine enthusiasm for teaching lurks beneath the crude wisecracks. Readers may wish that they could spend more time in Scott’s classroom learning about writing and less time following the wacky exploits of Scott, his vindictive principal and his three shadows. For more information on the author, visit www.edwardscottibur.com.


For information about the City of Sunset Hills Parks and Recreation visit www.sunset-hills.com.


Parents of high school students struggling with academics need not settle for simple tutoring from a college student. Metacognitive Educational Services offers ACT/SAT prep, physics/math tutoring, help overcoming test anxiety, improving note-taking and study skills - all from a 14-year professional educator. Visit www.stlouisMEW.com or call 593-0150.


New City School provides an unparalleled academ- ic experience that incorporates a comprehensive curriculum‚ including the development of personal intelligence, school-wide diversity and joyful learning. What its students are taught are the same subjects as other high-quality elementary schools. How they


HISTORY MATTERS


Celebrating Independence Day In The Spirit Of Our Forefathers by ROBERT R. ARCHIBALD


president of the Missouri History Museum Independence Day in St. Louis photo by Max Bouvatte PUGogenic:


Winner of pet photo contest named


Chelsea Clark of the Central West


End and her precious, round-eyed pug, Kensington, are the winners of the Best In Show Photo Contest sponsored by Wolfgang’s Pet Stop, 330 N. Euclid Ave. Contestants submitted a digital


photo of their pets to Wolfgang’s Facebook page. Visitors to the page then voted for their favorite shots. Kensington’s big win was announced at the June 27 screening of “Best in Show,” the opener to the Movies on the Plaza series at Maryland Plaza. The next outdoor movie, held fountainside on Maryland Plaza, is the July 25 airing of “When Harry Met Sally.” The show starts at sunset. Admission is free.


has traditionally featured a parade, all kinds of entertainment, food, and fireworks. Our local celebration is in the spirit of what John Adams believed would happen in honor of this day. Shortly after he signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776, he mused, in a letter to his wife, that the event “will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the day of deliverance . . . solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, bells, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other . . .” Twenty-eight years later, on July


4, 1804, Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and their hardy company were on their way to the far end of this continent, camping in “one of the most beautiful plains” Clark had ever seen. Pomp and parade were missing from their celebration, but Clark noted that they “ushered in the day by a discharge of one shot.” Then they proceeded on, passing through an extensive prairie and coming to an unnamed rivulet – unnamed as far as they knew – and declared it Independence Creek. “We closed the day,” he wrote, “with a discharge from our bow piece and an extra gill of whiskey.” A year later it was Lewis who


recorded their observance of the Fourth of July: “An elk and a beaver are all that were


killed today. We contrived however to spread not a very sumptuous but a comfortable table in honor of the day, and in the evening gave the men a drink of spirits, the last of our stock . . . as is usual among them on all festivals, the fiddle was produced and a dance begun. It was interrupted by a heavy shower of rain. They continued however their merriment till a late hour.” The Corps of Discovery was far from


home, exploring a terrain and a series of cultures that was for the most part completely foreign to them. Dependent in many instances upon alien peoples for their very lives, Lewis and Clark and the men of the expedition surely learned that other perspectives of life on this continent were available and meaningful. Yet even while they were learning


others’ viewpoints, they remembered the Fourth of July and noted it in their journals and diaries. Despite criticism and even discontent with some aspects of our nation, we too still celebrate, for we have the freedom to voice that criticism and to work for a better future for those who will celebrate after us.


315 W. Pacific


Webster Groves 314-968-9494


www.stlouisgymcentre.com


Join us for Gymnastics! We offer classes ages 1 - adult!


New School Year Sessions... online information coming soon!!


Join us weekly for Adult Open Workout!


Your child can finish summer by attending any of our 1/2 day


We are offering one more full day, full week camp August 6-10.


We offer... Birthday Parties & Field Trips


Ackermannʼs Swim Program


Teaching children to swim in Kirkwood for over 60 years. 4-11 year olds.


Ackermannʼs Swim Program


Teaching children to swim in Kirkwood for over 60 years. 4-11 year olds.


*Ask about 2011/2012 Past Student Special!


best summer sports camps St. Louis Magazine


best summer sports camps St. Louis Magazine


Nominated for Nominated for


ASPKirkwood.com ASPKirkwood.com


Download applications at: Download applications at:


1044 Curran Ave. Kirkwood, MO 63122 1044 Curran Ave. Kirkwood, MO 63122


e-mail: swimprogram@me.com e-mail: swimprogram@me.com


Call: 314-821-1070 Call: 314-821-1070


20 Allen Avenue Webster Groves 63119 314.963.4400 yucandu.com


One and two week sessions One and two week sessions


4-11 year olds. One and two week sessions


Teaching children to swim in Kirkwood for over 60 years.


EARLY MORNING SUMMER HOURS June thru August


Mon. thru Wed. 9 am - 6 pm Thurs. thru Sat. 9 am - 9 pm


OPEN-STUDIO PARTIES WORKSHOPS CAMPS


camps offered every Monday & Thursday now through August 3!


are taught is unlike any other school in the world. Using the theory of multiple intelligences, New City School helps students understand and apply complex concepts to new and different situations. New City School prepares graduates for success in secondary school, in college and in life. For a tour of the school, call Melanie Harmon at 361-6411.


St. Louis Gym Centre (www.stlouisgymcentre.com, 968-9494) offers gymnastic instruction for ages one to adult. Summer 5-day and half-day camps available. Birthday parties, field trips and adult open workout.


Yucandu (20 Allen Ave. 963-4400) is an interactive art studio for adults and children with projects to mo- saic, decoupage and paint‚ no appointment needed. Yucandu also offers holiday workshops, after-school art clubs, summer camps and private parties. Sum- mer hours: Mon-Wed. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thurs-Sat. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Visit www.yucandu.com.


Excellent instruction for all ages, children through adult, in taekwondo and hapkido.


Join us at our new location!


Excellent instruction for all ages, children through adult, in taekwondo and hapkido.


7 North Gore Ave., Webster Groves Excellent instruction for all ages, children


3915 S. Lindbergh Blvd. • Sunset Hills, MO 63127


“Creating Community through PeoPle, Parks and Programs” Parks & recreation amenities:


Aquatics Facility • Athletic Fields Community Center • Fitness Facility


Pavilion Rentals • Trails & so much more!!! 314.842.7265 • www.Sunset-Hills.com


314t.703.9040 / america mwtkd@gmail.com


314.703.9040 / americanmwtkd@gmail.com Rwww.americanmidwesttkd.com


hrough adult, in taekwondo and hapkido. www.americanmidwesttkd.com


Red Dragon Special Try a class


314.703.9040/americanmwtkd@gmail.com www.americanmidwesttkd.com


Red Dragon Special Try a class with two free lessons!


with two free lessons! Try a class with two free lessons!


ed Dragon Special


7 North Gore Ave., Webster Groves Join us at our new location!


July 6 - 19, 2012


July 6 - 19, 2012


West End Word | Page 9


metacognative


Evaluative Services – help students identify their learning preferences – issues with note taking – issues with studying for tests


The next Education section runs in September 2012.


Call 314-968-2699 for more information.


BRENTWOOD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH


EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Come Grow With Us!


8 MONTHS - 2 YEARS T/W/Th • 9:15 a.m.–2:15 p.m. 2-5 Year Olds


M/T/W/Th • 9:15 a.m.–2:15 p.m. 2400 S. Brentwood Blvd. • Brentwood • 314-962-0537


since 1985


Prescriptive Services – improving note taking skills – improving study skills – overcoming test anxiety


Tutoring Services – physics (any level offered in high school) – math (algebra up to second semester calculus) – ACT/SAT exams


Please call 314.593.0150 or check out our website www.StLouisMES.com


educational services


e


ENROLLING


NOW


r


c .


r a


n .


a ti v e


m e i n


r t r


e


d s


u


.


u r e d h e


Page 1