Teaching by Heart moves beyond the pressures of standardized education to boldly reclaim the creativity, spontaneity, and joy of teaching and loving children. Chenfeld shares the stories of amazing teachers, the children they inspire, and the infinite possibilities of the creative classroom. Meet Snowball the puppet, spend a year in the land of Oz, and learn how to say the "L" word (love) again!

"This small volume collects 19 short articles and essays 'written from the heart' that emphasize the critical importance of love and the arts in the profession of teaching. Chenfeld demonstrates how using a combination of spontaneity, flexibility, instinct, faith, and playfulness can help teachers meet the many unpredictable classroom situations that arise. Each chapter focuses on a true story about children and teachers and their daily agendas that touch on developmental issues as well as curricular topics such as 'whole language,' which the author claims is not about descriptions on the printed page but flourishes in the rhythms of daily life."