Sometimes teachers end up learning the greatest lessons from their students.
FROM BEDSIDE by Fred Goldstein is the embodiment of that dynamic.
A 29 year old high school English teacher in Cherry Hill, NJ, bored to tears with the state curriculum and second-guessing his career choice, Goldstein finds inspiration in Steven Estep, a 7th grade student with an easy smile and sharp sense of humor.
Steven, recently diagnosed with bone cancer, is quickly bed ridden. Goldstein volunteers academic and moral support, beginning a journey to provide Steven the best and most exciting education possible, recruiting help from the director of the CIA, Bill Bradley, Julius Erving, Mike Schmidt and a host of other high profile individuals.
But this story isn’t about the fundraisers, the publicity; it’s about a courageous thirteen year old boy who quickly becomes an adult, and a young teacher who also must grow up fast.
This teacher was my teacher. Mr. Fred Goldstein taught me 7th grade English at Beck Middle School in Cherry Hill, NJ. He was humble and funny and witty and smart and he didn’t yell at me when I accidentally spilled my baseball cards on his floor. He taught me to love books and to write with a purpose. He taught me to think for myself, to challenge authors and debates classmates. And years later, he tutored me for the SAT. He was everything you could ask for in a teacher, and everything I wanted to become.
Reading about his work with Steven — the strides he made in Steven’s life, and most importantly the impact Steven had on him — made for a truly magical book. Which, as an English teacher, is about the greatest gift you can give.
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This sounds incredible! I’m hunting it down and moving it to the top of the pile. This is going to be a powerful read to me (and the fact he teaches 7th grade makes it even better!)
This book sounds so inspiring; I’m looking forward to reading it. Also, your review is a beautiful tribute to your teacher.
Wow! What a story. Truly inspiring…