“Get Out.” Advice on Teaching High School From the Late, Great Frank McCourt

On the author's second day as a new English teacher at Stuyvesant High School, a veteran teacher named Frank McCourt—known for his Irish accent and creative writing classes—pulled him aside in the hallway. McCourt warned him to 'Get out while you can,' comparing teaching to performing in front of a tough audience five times a day. The author was confused by the advice but soon realized McCourt was a respected mentor. Two years later, the author followed McCourt's suggestion and left teaching to pursue journalism. Despite this, their friendship endured, and McCourt continued to inspire the author's career.

Frank McCourt was a beloved high school teacher but dreamed of becoming a professional writer. In his late 50s, he still hadn't achieved this goal and sought advice from Jerzy Kosinski, author of Being There and The Painted Bird. McCourt told the author that he struggled to write his memoir, Angela's Ashes, because the sounds of the classroom haunted him. The author later recalled McCourt's frustration during their teaching years, as he worked nights and weekends on the book while unable to escape his teaching past.

The author left Stuyvesant High School at 24 to become Editor of a new weekly newspaper covering Manhattan's West Side. McCourt supported this decision, proud that the author was chasing his dream. About a year later, the two had dinner at the Lion’s Head restaurant in Manhattan, a popular spot for journalists and authors like Pete Hamill. McCourt expressed envy for Hamill and Jimmy Breslin, two famous New York columnists from the 1980s, and revealed his own ambition to become a columnist.

Two weeks after the dinner, McCourt published his first monthly column, Forays, in The West Side Spirit. The debut piece was a literary review of McSorley’s, a historic pub on East Seventh Street in Manhattan that opened in 1854. McCourt’s column was witty and engaging, reflecting his love for the pub. The article gained unexpected visibility when it was framed and hung above the men’s urinal in the pub, exposing it to thousands of patrons. This was a proud moment for McCourt, who had worked hard to refine his writing.

Frank McCourt was known for his dynamic teaching style, which made learning joyful and engaging. He often asked provocative questions to elicit detailed responses from students, even those who answered with short phrases. His assignments were creative and memorable, such as writing a restaurant review of a parent’s home-cooked meal with vivid sensory details or crafting the most creative excuse note for missing homework. His goal was to inspire students to write with passion and purpose.

Frank McCourt’s memoir Angela’s Ashes became a worldwide phenomenon after its publication, selling more than 10 million copies. The book captured the attention of millions and earned him numerous awards. Despite his sudden fame, McCourt remained humble, joking that he was 'the mick of the moment.' The author, who had left teaching to pursue journalism, took pride in showcasing McCourt’s talent and helping him gain recognition in New York’s journalism scene.

After McCourt’s death in July 2009, the author worked to create a new public high school named after him. The school, Frank McCourt High School, opened in Fall 2009 on West 83rd Street in Manhattan. The idea came from the author, who collaborated with Council Member Gale Brewer to develop a school focused on creative writing. The project faced a challenge: schools cannot be named after living people. McCourt’s response to this obstacle was, 'Well, I guess I better hurry up then,' which the author later realized was a sign of his declining health.