Learnt (Duval County Book)

A black English teacher whose ashamed of his dialect and a white racist student learn the most valuable lessons of their lives in one of Duval County's worst high schools.

Kenny Houston is a white teenager with problems. His grades are in the toilet; his friend-count qualifies him for leprosy; his bathroom scale hates him; he's been challenged to a fight more times than the heavyweight champion of the world; he has a discipline record the size of a teacher's ego, and he's being shipped to Lincoln High, a predominantly black alternative school in a week. Still, Kenny doesn't care about any of that crap. All he wants to do is make it through each day without angering his mother, who hates having black neighbors and an overweight son. Tony Avery is a black man with problems too. He's Lincoln High's new English teacher, but he's not very popular. He doesn't fit in at all. Maybe it's his style of teaching. Maybe it's the way he corrects his students' inferior and embarrassing speech. Whatever it is, Tony has his share of problems. The last thing he needs is for a racist student like Kenny Houston to come along. Or is it? Portraying an authentic African-American dialect, Learnt tells the story of a discouraged teacher and a troubled student learning the most valuable lessons of their lives in one of Duval County's worst high schools. A tale that speaks out to teachers, parents, and anyone who has ever set foot in a high school classroom.

In his pursuit to make a difference, Edward M. Baldwin has served as a high school English teacher, literacy coordinator, and college adjunct professor. As an award-winning author, he continues to make a difference through his writing, focusing heavily on "classroom dramas." He enjoys visiting schools and colleges, where he talks to students about goals, motivation, writing, and the importance of reading. He lives in Florida with his wife, three children, and two cats.