Essay- Letter to a teacher

By Nora Rossi and Tom Cole

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1. The Powerful Critique
- The book "Letter to a Teacher" is a scathing critique of
the injustices present in the traditional educational system. It
was published in 1967 by eight students from the Barbiana
school in Italy.

2. The Barbiana School

- Barbiana is not the name of a school nor the name of a
town. It is a community of about twenty farmhouses in the
hills of the Mugello region, in Tuscany. The school, known as
"Santa Andrea di Barbiana," was founded by Lorenzo Milani,
a progressive educator, journalist, and priest. It was
established to provide an alternative for poor children who
had been excluded or failed by the traditional school system.

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3. Collaborative Project
- The book "Letter to a Teacher" was the outcome of a
collaborative project involving the students at Barbiana. This
project was coordinated by Lorenzo Milani towards the end
of his life.

4.Examining Class Bias

- In their book, the students at Barbiana used clear and
sometimes forceful language to challenge ideas regarding
class bias in public schools. They supported their claims
with data and real-life examples of discrimination against
poor students.

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5. Mechanisms of Discrimination
- The students in their letter exposed a range of
mechanisms used by schools to discriminate against less
privileged students. These mechanisms, both overt and
covert, were detailed in their critique.

6. Lorenzo Milani's Background

- Lorenzo Milani was not just an educator but also a priest
and a journalist. He was born in 1923 and dedicated his life
to advocating for social justice, especially in the realm of
education.

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 - Before his work at Barbiana, he was assigned to
Calenzano, a town near Florence, where he served as a
young priest. It was during this time that he opened a night
school for working people. This experience was
transformative for him, as he witnessed firsthand the
struggles and challenges faced by individuals who had been
marginalized by the traditional educational system.

- Milani learned the critical importance of a relevant

curriculum and proper encouragement for students who felt
excluded and discouraged by the school system. This
experience deeply influenced his educational philosophy.

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 - When he arrived at Barbiana, he noted that many of the
children who came to the school had either been failed or
discouraged by the conventional educational system.
Recognizing the need for a different approach, he
established the Barbiana school to provide a nurturing and
supportive environment for these students.

- Lorenzo Milani's educational approach at Barbiana was

characterized by a deep commitment to social justice, the
promotion of critical thinking, and a focus on the lived
experiences of the students. He believed that education
should be a tool for empowerment, particularly for those
who had been marginalized or excluded by the system.

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 - Milani's work at Barbiana was instrumental in shaping the
school's innovative approach, which included a rigorous
daily schedule and a curriculum that encouraged students to
critically examine their own lives and experiences within the
traditional school system.

- His dedication to addressing the injustices in the

education system and empowering disadvantaged students
left a lasting legacy. Even after his passing in 1967, his work
continued to inspire the students at Barbiana to produce the
powerful critique found in "Letter to a Teacher."

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Lorenzo Milani's life and work reflect a passionate
commitment to education as a means of social change and
the pursuit of justice for those who had been left behind by
the traditional educational system.

7. The Barbiana Approach

- The Barbiana school started with ten peasant students
aged 11 to 13 and included a rigorous schedule of eight
hours of work per day, six to seven days a week. Over time,
the number of students grew to 20, with older students
taking on the role of teaching the younger ones. The
curriculum focused on analyzing and discussing the
children's own lives and experiences in the school system.

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8. Letter to a Teacher
- "Letter to a Teacher" is the book written by the students
at Barbiana, and it was structured as a letter addressed to an
imaginary public school teacher. The contents of the book
were drawn from the children's real-life experiences in public
schools, highlighting the challenges and injustices they
faced.

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9. Milani's Legacy
- After Lorenzo Milani's passing in 1967, the Barbiana
school closed its doors. However, the students paid tribute
to him by publishing one of the most significant works of the
20th century on the topics of school and social class. This
book became a powerful testament to the impact of the
Barbiana school and its innovative educational approach.

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1. Origin of "Letter to a Teacher
- "Letter to a Teacher" was originally written in Italian by
students of the Barbiana School in 1967. It became a
bestseller in Italy and was translated into multiple languages.

2. First English Translation

- The first English translation of the book appeared in 1970,
making it accessible to a broader international audience.

3. Location of Barbiana
- Barbiana was a small village located in the hilly region of
Tuscany, Italy. It consisted of about twenty houses.

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4. Purpose of Barbiana School
- The Barbiana School, with its full name "Santa Andrea di
Barbiana," was established by Lorenzo Milani, a progressive
educator, journalist, and priest. Its primary purpose was to
provide an alternative education for underprivileged children
who had been marginalized by the traditional school system.

5. Background of Student Authors

- The authors of "Letter to a Teacher" were boys from
Tuscan peasant families. However, their experiences and the
issues they addressed in the book were not limited to their
own situation. Many village children who joined Milani's
school had faced similar challenges – they had either been

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failed out of school or were deeply dissatisfied with the way
they were taught.

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The Synopsis of the essay
1. Student's Eloquent Address to the Teacher
- The student opens the passage by addressing the
teacher in an eloquent yet critical manner. He points out that
many students, including himself, have been failed by their
teachers and the education system. This sets the tone for
the student's critique of the educational experience.

2. Isolation at School
- The student recalls the school environment where
teachers observed students making mistakes during tests
but never provided any guidance or assistance. He contrasts
this with the home environment, which had constant

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interruptions, implying that school should ideally offer a
more conducive and supportive learning atmosphere.

3. Teacher's Disconnect from Reality

- The student criticizes the teacher for being out of touch
with the lives of common people. He highlights how the
teacher uses modern conveniences like elevators, cars, and
telephones, which create a barrier between her and real
human interactions. This suggests that the teacher's
privilege has distanced her from the everyday experiences of
ordinary people.

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4. Contrast with Rich Students
- The student points out the contrast between rich
students who may have received classical education but lack
practical knowledge and empathy. They are unfamiliar with
their neighbors, never visit kitchens, or help the sick and
vulnerable. This emphasizes the importance of practical life
skills and understanding the community.

5. Sensitivity to the Community:

- The student asserts that he, in contrast, is more sensitive
to the people and community around him. He understands
the nuances of his valley, the people, families, and their
personal connections. This reflects the idea that true culture

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involves respecting and understanding people, which is not
something that can be solely gained from books.

6. Advice to the Teacher

- The student advises the teacher to acquire a different
kind of culture, one rooted in humility and respect for
individuals. He suggests that the teacher's education has
gaps that could be detrimental when teaching in an
elementary school. The point here is that teachers should
have a broader understanding of human experiences beyond
traditional knowledge.

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7. Gymnastics Teacher's Lack of Instruction:
- The passage shifts to the topic of a gymnastics teacher
who provides equipment but fails to teach students how to
use it. The teacher lacks the sensitivity to the students'
abilities and needs, emphasizing the importance of effective
teaching and guidance.

8. Contrast in Grading
- The student highlights a disparity in grading, where the
teacher rewards a rich student with an 'A' grade for having
expensive exercise equipment while ignoring the practical
abilities of other students. This underlines the issue of
fairness and equitable treatment of students, regardless of
their socioeconomic backgrounds.

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English by Rohit