Giving Tree Teachers: Women and the National Board Certification Process

by Tara Star Johnson, Mary Bruce, Peg Graham, Steve Oliver, Nicholas Oppong, Soonhye Park, and Dorann Mansberger

Shel Silverstein's children's book The Giving Tree imparts a useful metaphor for thinking about the role of teachers—women teachers in particular. The book's namesake is the epitome of altruism, providing branches, fruit, and even her trunk so that her beloved boy might have what he desires. In the final pages, she gives even her stump so that the boy—now aged— can rest. A refrain follows each sacrifice, which the boy takes without thanks as if he were entitled to them: "And the tree was happy."