Matthew Ohlson

The Other Side of the Harbor: the Journey of a First-year Urban Teacher Matthew Ohlson

After graduating from college, author Matthew A. Ohlson returns to his hometown to be a fourth-grade teacher. Ignoring offers to work in the private sector or to teach in safer, more prestigious suburban schools, he returns to his old neighborhood to teach in one of Boston's most troubled schools. The Other Side of the Harbor follows the obstacles Ohlson and his students encounter, both in and out of the classroom. The twenty-eight students that make up the class of room 213 initially greet Ohlson with a display of bedlam that would send most teachers running in the opposite direction. But this is where he wants to be-and he knows these impressionable young minds need him-so he perseveres. By the end of the year, the kids become as much a part of Ohlson's family as his own flesh and blood. A fictional story based on true events, The Other Side of the Harbor showcases Ohlson's passion for education, yet brings to light the harsh realities of the Boston streets. Hilarious, inspiring, and heart-breaking, the stories of The Other Side of the Harbor encourage a new appreciation for the educational system and those striving to make it better.