For William Ayers, noted educator and activist, "the allure of teaching, that ineffable magic that draws me and many others back to the classroom again and again, comes from the particularly precious ideal that lies directly at its heart: Teaching, at its best, is an enterprise geared toward helping every human being reach the full measure of his or her humanity." In his new book, Teaching Toward Freedom, Ayers proposes a new way of looking at the craft of education; how it can be used in authoritarian ways at the service of the state, the church, or a restrictive existing social order—an idea he abhors—or, as he envisions it, as a way to achieve in students "their fullest, democratic humanity." Using examples from his own classroom experiences and those of his many colleagues, as well as from popular culture, film, and novels, Ayers redraws the lines concerning how we teach, why we teach, and what we find there when we help students become independent, curious, and involved learners. "Committed and aware teachers," Ayers observes, "are engaged in the struggle to understand the moral contract of teaching and must endeavor to accomplish two crucial tasks: to convince students that there is no such thing as 'receiving' an education as a passive receptor or vessel, and that all education is self-education. The other task is to demonstrate to students that they are valued, that their humanity is honored, and that their growth, enlightenment, and liberation are the teacher's core concerns." This lucid and inspiring book will help teachers at every level to realize that ideal. Join Northtown Books in welcoming Mr. Ayers for a booksigning and reading on August 13 from 7 to 9 pm. William Ayers is Distinguished Professor of Education and Senior University Scholar at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is founder of the Small Schools Workshop and the Center for Youth and Society, and he is the author of many books, including A Kind and Just Parent and his memoir Fugitive Days.