Show, Don't Tell: A Writer, Her Teacher, and the Power of Sharing Our Stories

by Kristine Gasbarre

From the #1 New York Times bestselling writer and author of How to Love an American Man comes a memoir that inspires us to remember the special teachers in our lives and reflect on the change we create when we share our stories. 

Mrs. Korthaus has always been ahead of her time—an educator who inspired her students to dream bigger, think deeper, and live boldly. For decades, she led an English classroom with caring and conviction, but it’s not until she’s retired, and then fighting cancer, that she begins to share her story: long ago marching with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., building a corporate career, and overcoming heartbreak before “accidentally” becoming a teacher and forever shaping the lives of countless young adults—including bestselling author Kristine Gasbarre.
     In Show, Don’t Tell, Kristine reflects on her thirty-year friendship with this extraordinary teacher who shaped her life so significantly. She shares the profound lessons Mrs. Korthaus taught her and other students on self-discovery, resilience, strength, and showing up fully for life. It shines a spotlight on the power of sharing our lives and our stories with each other as it moves between tragedy, awe, and the heartwarming relationship forged over decades between two women from different generations. Above all, it delivers a moving reminder about the elders who’ve believed in us—and a call to thank them for the lives they influenced us to lead. 
 

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Education

224 pages, Hardcover

Published April 29, 2025

Reviews

[Lucy Ellis-Hardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an educator, I was keen to read this book and learn about Mrs Korthaus and her influence on the author as a child and as an adult. I found the author's story of how Mrs K influenced her, taught her about female empowerment, and striving for the best truly inspirational. Their adult friendship is heartwarming and emphasises the importance of friendships, relationships, and making the best of opportunities. I sometimes found the book a little disjointed with the narrative jumping around a bit, but overall, I enjoyed it.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest review.

[Antonette Macindoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some stories find you when your heart is wide open—and Show, Don’t Tell by Kristine Gasbarre is one of those rare memoirs that doesn’t just tell you a story—it lives in you afterward.

From the very first page, this book hit me in a personal and emotional way. The dedication to Mrs. Blasdell—a brilliant high school teacher of mine who later became a patient I had the privilege to care for—stopped me in my tracks. Her bright smile and joy are missed terribly. May her soul rest in peace.

In this memoir, Kristine Gasbarre reflects on her upbringing in rural Pennsylvania and the bold, unforgettable woman who helped shape her: Mrs. Korthaus—a 4’11” powerhouse of a teacher who challenged Krissy to rise to her potential in a world not built to empower women. And yet, female empowerment is at the heart of this story. Through Mrs. Korthaus’s guidance, Krissy learns not just how to write or think critically—but how to take up space in a male-dominated world with grace, strength, and unshakable belief in herself.

Chapter 6 especially stood out to me, as Krissy shares her journey into publishing at Simon & Schuster. As someone who devours 80 to 100 books a year, seeing the industry from her eyes—especially from a publicity standpoint—was inspiring. But what struck me most was how she never forgot her roots. She gave books to those who helped and inspired her, continuing a cycle of gratitude and encouragement.

This memoir covers powerful themes: faith, politics, gender roles, banned books, and the weight of rural tradition—all handled with both challenge and poise. It doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff, but it meets it with humility and curiosity.

By the final chapter, I felt incredibly nostalgic. I couldn’t stop smiling, thinking of how lucky I am to know, have learned from, and still consider Mrs. Korthaus a friend. Krissy took the infinite wisdom from this woman and carried it into every stage of her life. Her story is one of struggle, strength, and resilience—proof that when someone believes in you, and you have faith in the Lord, anything is possible.

The teachers who shaped Kristine’s life also shaped mine. And for that, I am forever grateful.

[Karen Glickstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous, meaningful, easy read! All of us (I hope) have had at least one teacher who, knowingly or unknowingly, had a meaningful impact on our lives, helping us see a part of ourselves that we needed helping unmasking. And, I further hope, all of us have had moments realizing that it is ok to face your own self-doubts, but that, even if we are fiercely independent, there are others who have impacted us and that we have a duty to "pay it forward". This memoir is equal parts tale of Mrs. Korthaus and of the author's journey. I wanted to have a cup of coffee (or a glass of wine) with each of them to hear more about their stories. I wanted to connect with some of my teachers and professors (which I will try to do) who i have stayed in touch with off and on over the years. And, although neither the author nor Mrs. Korthaus had children of their own, I recognized in the story the meaningful impact that so many of my (now adult) children's teachers had on my children in a way I never could--and on my own parenting. So many words of wisdom in this book--just a couple that I will memorialize here (especially since I need to return the book to the Library!).
Mrs. Korthaus: "Whether I was teaching you in the classroom or directing you in a play, I engaged you kids. I didn't try to teach you." And, "I get tremendous joy in being behind other people's success. Everybody talks about being successful at something. I am very good at making other people look good. . . . I love the feeling of doing that. It's very self-rewarding for me."

Read this book. Then thank an educator. Any educator. Especially one who "showed", and did not just "tell".

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short and sweet book about the positive influence of a caring teacher. Though the book had occasional moments of inconsistency or less focus on the main topics of the book, it is overall a wonderful read. It is heartfelt, poignant, and optimistic. It reminded me of my gratitude for my wonderful teachers - and reminded me of my hope to inspire students in my classroom. I recommend this book to other educators and to anyone who wants to make a positive difference in their community, especially in the lives of young women. I give this book 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

Thank you to NetGalley and Worthy for the free eARC. I post this review with my honest opinions.

[Michelle Kimber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a heartwarming story of the effects of a teacher on one women's childhood. I found this to be empowering and uplifting. The author's voice is strong and the influence her teacher had on her is clear and powerful. A must read in my opinion.

[Lottie C · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

[a copy of this book was provided to me by the published from netgalley. thank you!]

a powerful book about the importance of words and stories. this book reminded me of the value of teachers and learning, and made me reminisce on the good teachers ive been fortunate enough to have in my life growing up