"Who's The Boss" of sophomore English at Northeast High this year? That'd be Tony Danza, he of boxing and 70s-sitcom fame. He was recently approved to teach in that Philly school as part of a new A&E series, Teach. Move over Jon & Kate Plus 8, it's Tony Danza... Plus 30. We can only hope his students won't call a "Taxi" in a hurry to escape his class. The "Angel in the Outfield" will be accompanied by a (certified) co-teacher in the classroom and, according to the district, the students will not be able to see the rolling cameras. (Unclear how that works logistically, but we'll suspend our disbelief for now.) Though it's long been known that "Tony Danza cuts in line," he says he's "honored" and "humbled" by the opportunity to stand in front of the blackboard. Heidi Ramirez, a former member of Philadelphia's School Reform Commission, disagrees, voting against the scheme as a "potential distraction" for students. Seems hard for it to be a distraction, though, when the kids are still wondering: Who is Tony Danza, anyway?
"Tony Danza gets OK to teach at Northeast High School," by Kristen A. Graham, Philadelphia Inquirer, August 20, 2009