I first learned about Albert Cullum through an enthusiastic teacher, Cindy Frady. Cindy guided fifth grade students as they transformed their classroom into a Georgia O’Keefe Museum. I watched her students grow in their enthusiasm for art, business and event planning, and public speaking, as they prepared the museum conversion. Their enthusiasm and confidence ignited the school.
Another year Cindy taught Middle School English. She knew that most kids hate to study grammar, so she developed Grammar University. As students took turns being the professor they learned what all teachers know: if you don’t understand it, you can’t teach it. They willingly studied for exams, reviewed one another’s work, and revised their own writing.
Many of Cindy’s inspired ideas came from Albert Cullum’s book, Push Back the Desks. And push them back she did. By the time I had the privilege to see the results she produced, she was full of her own imaginative ideas.
Albert Cullum (1920 – July 2003) was a teacher in Rye, New York in the 1950s. He introduced his students to classic literature such as Shakespeare and Greek Dramas. Cullum was a proponent of learning through play, even with upper elementary students. He became a professor of education at Boston University and Stonehill College.
Cullum’s dream was to become an actor, but when that failed, teaching chose him. He said, “Teachers can be bearers of gifts. Not only do we have the privilege of introducing great literature to young, imaginative minds, but we also have the priceless opportunity of giving each child the gift of believing in him or herself.”
Albert Cullum wrote numerous books on children’s education, including the following titles:
Push Back the Desks
(MacMillan, 1967)
This classic book contains innovative ideas for all elementary school grades and curricula, including the “grammar hospital” seen in A TOUCH OF GREATNESS.
(MacMillan, 1967)
This classic book contains innovative ideas for all elementary school grades and curricula, including the “grammar hospital” seen in A TOUCH OF GREATNESS.
Shake Hands with Shakespeare
(Scholastic, 1968)
Cullum’s revisions of eight Shakespeare plays includes tips for costumes and staging.
(Scholastic, 1968)
Cullum’s revisions of eight Shakespeare plays includes tips for costumes and staging.
Greek Tears and Roman Laughter:
Ten Tragedies and Five Comedies for Schools
(Citation Press, 1970)
Cullum’s famous adaptations of Greek and Roman classics for budding dramatists of all ages.
Ten Tragedies and Five Comedies for Schools
(Citation Press, 1970)
Cullum’s famous adaptations of Greek and Roman classics for budding dramatists of all ages.
Aesop in the Afternoon
(Citation Press, 1972)
These sixty-plus dramatizations of Aesop’s fables are suitable for younger students and include staging suggestions.
(Citation Press, 1972)
These sixty-plus dramatizations of Aesop’s fables are suitable for younger students and include staging suggestions.
Murphy, Molly, Max and Me
(Delacorte, 1976)
In this fictional work, a child's friends, a dog, a doll, and a frog visit his teacher to see if they can work together to help him with a school problem.
(Delacorte, 1976)
In this fictional work, a child's friends, a dog, a doll, and a frog visit his teacher to see if they can work together to help him with a school problem.
You Think Just Because You're Big, You're Right
(Harlin Quist, 1976)
Text and pictures examine the inconsistent behavior of “big” adults towards children.
(Harlin Quist, 1976)
Text and pictures examine the inconsistent behavior of “big” adults towards children.
Greek and Roman Plays for the Intermediate Grades
(Fearon Teacher Aids, 1993)
Cullum’s versions of ancient plays are adaptable for school children, but preserve the content of the originals.
(Fearon Teacher Aids, 1993)
Cullum’s versions of ancient plays are adaptable for school children, but preserve the content of the originals.
The Geranium On The Windowsill Just Died But Teacher You Went Right On
(Harlin Quist Books, 2000)
Written in 1971 and reprinted in 2000, this best-selling and timeless commentary on teachers and education is inspiring and illustrative of Cullum’s philosophy.
(Harlin Quist Books, 2000)
Written in 1971 and reprinted in 2000, this best-selling and timeless commentary on teachers and education is inspiring and illustrative of Cullum’s philosophy.
A PBS documentary, A Touch of Greatness, was made about Cullum’s life in 2004 by Robert Downey Sr. The film includes scenes from his classroom and interviews with former students who became teachers, judges and company presidents.
