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Teacher Misery: Helicopter Parents, Special Snowflakes and Other Bullshit

Jane Morris (Goodreads Author)

3.91 · Rating details · 781 ratings · 130 reviews

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Published May 2016 by Truth Be Told Publishing

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· 781 ratings · 130 reviews

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Feb 04, 2018 Erin rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: kobo

Not sure if the author really enjoys teaching as much as she states.I certainly cannot connect her upbeat summary at the end of the book with all the hateful stories she fills her pages with. I have had my share of crazy stuff happen in my teaching career, but these are the most outrageous outtakes. But I did find myself connecting to a few and I certainly concur that teachers have their share of hurdles. I count myself fortunate because there has been more rainbows than thunder.

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Jul 06, 2016 CeeMarie rated it did not like it

Shelves: net-galley-arcs-reviewed

No. This is horrible. I get that teaching can be an unbelievably trying profession. I can certainly imagine all the scenarios she writes about. BUT she writes about them in such a mean spirited, judge mental, negative way with questionable language a lot of the time. I just don't even want to listen to her because she is just ranting about how horrible everyone-students, parents, administrators, etc.. are. There is no humor, or light heartedness in recounting these experiences. It's not snarky-i ...more

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May 18, 2016 Jessica rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Rate : 4.5 stars

TEACHERS! FUTURE TEACHERS ! GET THIS BOOK NOW! Yup, you see that right! This book is a necessity for every teacher, especially the future educators. First of all, let me thank to the author for sending me a copy of an ebook version of this book. To be honest, this is not really my kind of reading, I mean I rarely, like seriously rarely read a nonfiction book, but gosh, reading this book is a real eye opener. It is funny, real, full of amazing, weird , shocking and hilarious stori ...more

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May 10, 2016 Jane rated it it was amazing

Written in a way that non-teachers may actually get a glimpse of the absurdity that teachers must hurdle to accomplish their jobs.

This book is honest and relatable enough for teachers to find company in misery. It's the tip of the iceberg and I can only hope for a sequel.

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Mar 26, 2016 Monica Graves (nightreads) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arcs, read-in-2016

This book was eye-opening, intriguing and insightful.

I don’t normally read books like Teacher Misery, in fact this is the first non-fiction book I have read because I wanted to. I am so glad I did. The title of the book sets the premise for what it is about, the author goes over a series of things she has experienced with students, parents and the administration, and all I have to say is, Wow. I knew that some things were bad, but I didn’t know so much happened to teachers. I lucked out by going This book was eye-opening, intriguing and insightful.

I don’t normally read books like Teacher Misery, in fact this is the first non-fiction book I have read because I wanted to. I am so glad I did. The title of the book sets the premise for what it is about, the author goes over a series of things she has experienced with students, parents and the administration, and all I have to say is, Wow. I knew that some things were bad, but I didn’t know so much happened to teachers. I lucked out by going to really good schools and not having to go through what some students do. But even then, I have personally seen how bad some students treat teachers. I have always and will always respect them. Recently, I have even thought of becoming and teacher because I want to be a positive influence on the lives of others. Although after reading this book, I don’t think I am ready for all the stress that might come my way.

I learned so much and was able to think back on what I have experienced as a student. And although I want to someday teach in the future, after reading this I know I have to give myself time. The story was divided into three parts, students, parents and the administration and some of the things that people were able to get away with were ridiculous! I don’t understand how some people or students were able to behave and act out the way they did. I mentioned it before and I will mention it again, teachers do not get the credit they deserve. So if you have a teacher you really liked or just plain enjoyed their class, right them a letter. Get in contact with them and let them know how much they meant to you.

While this may not be romance or a book I typically read, everyone who has kids or is in college or even high school needs to give this book a chance. We all went through school at some point and I am positive that this will shine some new light on what happens in schools. I am so glad I chose to read this and I will definitely keep this information with me forever.
...more

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Jul 15, 2016 Dave rated it liked it

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I would more accurately rate this as a 2.5 star book.

Well, now that we've gotten that out of the way, I have to say this resembles the memoir thousands of teachers across the nation intended to write one day when they finally retired and could mentally compile all of the bizarro stories they endured over a 35 year teaching career. This lady beat us all to the punch and isn't even retired. We have to take her word for it and assu Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I would more accurately rate this as a 2.5 star book.

Well, now that we've gotten that out of the way, I have to say this resembles the memoir thousands of teachers across the nation intended to write one day when they finally retired and could mentally compile all of the bizarro stories they endured over a 35 year teaching career. This lady beat us all to the punch and isn't even retired. We have to take her word for it and assume every word of it is true because it says so right in the beginning of the book, and if it's printed, it's true right? Everything is properly cited as well in the back of the book, good job, no plagiarism here, moving on. Using a pseudonym (naturally), Ms. Morris recounts tales, trials and tribulations of the first ten years or so of her teaching career at the middle and high school levels--they seem like the worst schools ever assembled this side of Rydell High. Grossly incompetent administrators, overly indulgent and meddling parents, students who are entitled/belligerent/psychotic or chronically asleep; the community that she has settled into sounds like it has self-destructed. And while I empathize with a lot of what she was saying, even snickered at some of the comical absurdity of it, I could have done without the smug tone with which it was written and the petty childish name changes that were used (i.e. Mr. And Mrs. Fuller-Crapp or I.M.A. Moran). As a teacher, knowing non-teachers would be reading this, it made me cringe knowing that on one hand the book is supposed to elicit sympathy, but here it is, at times, painting educators as snarky, bitter, and mean-spirited if we were only given that chance in a room with no one looking and no consequences. Yes, teaching frustrates the HELL out of me--the politics and adults surrounding the profession mainly, but also the daily grind and constant struggle to motivate uninterested adolescents. Yes, I have funny and goofy stories from the pits of despair too and lord knows I loathe standardized testing. BUT, I've enjoyed the heck out of being in the classroom for 18 years and have great memories to go along with the wacky ones. Those don't sell though, I get it. To her credit, she does end the book on a positive note, so kudos. Having said that, I believe this is a summary of what Ms. Morris was saying--to the parents that enable their children and try and bail them out of their shortcomings that they brought on themselves: stop it. You are failing your child. To the lawyers who take on petty cases against school districts and hinder the ability of a school to maintain order and clear lines between student and adult: you are reprehensible. When can I come to your office and tell you how to do your job? To the administrators that do not support their teachers: find a new profession. Why would anyone want to work in that environment? To politicians, lawmakers, and policy pushers who dictate educational reform without ever having been In a classroom: thank you for sucking the soul out of the profession. Someday you will see the long term result of the seeds you have sowed. And finally to teachers everywhere: here's to enjoying another summer of family, travel or whatever undoes your misery! ...more

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Aug 02, 2016 Becky Dixon Boer rated it did not like it · review of another edition

The title describes this book perfectly: miserable.

I kept waiting. Waiting for the light-hearted moments, for the "this is why it's all worth it" stories.

There weren't any.

No, this is just a person who hates her job.

It's hard to say which is most disturbing: the stories she tells about her severely troubled, needy students, or the hateful attitude with which she relives the stories.

Ms. Morris has no empathy, despite working with children who need it badly.

She complains about special needs ...more

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Jul 15, 2016 Annie rated it did not like it

I think the biggest issue I had with this book was that I didn't like the writer. She comes across as arrogant and rude and all in all the writing left a bitter taste in my mouth. The whole book just seemed like a rant against everyone but the author.

I came into this book with high hopes. Being not long out of school myself, I thought it might bring back the memories of some of the insanity that occurred in my school. Either American schools are very different from English ones, or the author w ...more

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Jul 16, 2016 Randal White rated it liked it

Shelves: netgalley, psych-religion-self-help

Morris recounts her experiences as a teacher over the course of several years.
At first, I found myself amazed that any teacher had to put up with the behaviors of students, parents, and educators, that the author described. Truly horrifying to have to go to work and deal with that!
Eventually though, I found myself becoming weary of the author's stories. I had to ask myself, why did she go into teaching in the first place? And if she found no joy in the teaching, why did she stay so long? It just ...more

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Jun 13, 2016 Ellie rated it it was ok · review of another edition

I wanted to like this book, mostly because I want to support other teachers and also because I think the general public needs to read a little more about the current realities of public school, but I just didn't connect with the book. While I frequently nodded my head in agreement, I felt the writing was unorganized and somewhat repetitive (in several sections she references either the first day assignment or teaching Night...I know in 10 years she's taught boatloads of other things!). I also wi ...more

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Nov 11, 2017 Rachael rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Ok, people who review this book saying that it's horrible, whiny, and written by an arrogant author who hates her job have it all wrong. Did you bother to read the whole book? Still other reviewers say that the stories are implausible or far-fetched. I am a teacher and I can tell you that I have been through MANY of these exact same experiences, and still other more ridiculous ones than the ones Ms. Morris mentioned.

For real teachers, and people who want to get a taste of what the American educ ...more

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Jul 15, 2016 Stacie C rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2016, e-book-arcs

If you are looking for a book that is going to sugarcoat how amazing it is to be a teacher then you might as well throw this book out of the window because this is not the book for you. But this is the book that people need to read to understand the climate of schools in this era. Classroom teachers are severely underappreciated and neglected. This book written by a teacher under the pseudonym of Jane Morris is a testament to the everyday struggles of teachers in public schools.

Morris decided If you are looking for a book that is going to sugarcoat how amazing it is to be a teacher then you might as well throw this book out of the window because this is not the book for you. But this is the book that people need to read to understand the climate of schools in this era. Classroom teachers are severely underappreciated and neglected. This book written by a teacher under the pseudonym of Jane Morris is a testament to the everyday struggles of teachers in public schools.

Morris decided to separate this book into three different parts: Students, Parents and Administrators. Why you may ask? Because these are the three different elements that teachers have to deal with. Each part is equally depressing and distressing and you won’t want to believe any of it. Unfortunately I have enough experience working in classrooms to believe and acknowledge that the crazy she mentions is all too plausible. I wish I could read this book, shake my head and exclaim “There is no way any of this true.” But I would be lying to myself and to you.

What Morris did really well with this book is provide examples of why so many problems exist in this day and age. Work samples from students in her class, statements from other teachers, combined with her experiences creates a case for teachers and their frustrations. When you are trying to teach a class and students are disruptive, disrespectful, uninterested and unengaged you look to parents and administration to help. If the parents are clueless or entitled or don’t care then the next step is administration. When administration leaves you out to dry what do you? You’re hands are tied.

There is a problem right now with the education system in the United States. I don’t have the answer but what it boils down to, in my opinion, is supporting the teacher in the classroom. They don’t have a leg to stand on and that’s what it is so depressing and absurd. I enjoyed this book because I am so glad someone is speaking out. She needed to speak out. More teachers need to speak out in the same way Morris dead. Give examples. Speak on the problems and the misunderstandings with parents and how much things have changed. Respect for the teacher has fallen. It’s obvious in the attitude of parents, students and administration. I’m not sure we are preparing kids for the real world anymore.

I recommend this book for many reasons. Morris is a great writer who did a great job at presenting her case. She is funny and entertaining. She is above all honest with her interpretation and the things that she sees around her. I liked the variation in text and material. Overall, this books needs to be spread around the country. She isn’t the only person that feels this way. There are thousands of other people out there like her and their voices need to be heard.

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Jun 05, 2016 Resh (The Book Satchel) rated it it was ok · review of another edition

This book is about teachers. What they go through and how they are so helpless in a world ruled by parents and school administration. I felt very sympathetic to their plight. I couldnt relate to some of the incidents described in the book due to cultural differences. But the book was outright shocking. In addition to feeling sorry for the teachers I was secretly glad I studied elsewhere. Because it would have been very very difficult to be friends with some of the kids mentioned.

The positive:
It ...more

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Nov 05, 2016 Alyssa rated it did not like it

This was a very challenging book to read. I disagree whole heartedly with the attitudes and teaching philosophy presented in the book. Many times I felt I should stop reading all together.

Although, yes teaching is an incredibly challenging profession, many of the examples given could have been turned into less explosive situations had the teacher displayed empathy and the training to deal with anxious, violent or aggressive states. In many instances I felt the teacher's reactions worsened the c ...more

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May 14, 2017 krystal rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Hilarious, snarky, and tragic view into the trenches of my everyday life.

I'm curious at the people who rated it low. Did they not read the part where you can only make fun of your experiences in order to survive? I'm also curious if they're teachers. As an English teacher, I sincerely appreciated it and suggested my library order a digital copy :)

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Dec 26, 2018 Lauren rated it really liked it

Shelves: memoir

I think if I read this book 2 years ago I would have found it much funnier. I am at a bit of a jaded point in my teaching career so overall this book made me continue to be scared for the future of society (and my career, to be honest). Yet it is important for these stories to be told. Non teachers should read books like these to have some semblance of what teachers in the United States go through every day. I wish there was an elementary version of this book (as the author is a high school teac ...more

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Jan 03, 2019 Kristy rated it liked it · review of another edition

This book is what you make of it. Your attitude as you read will impact your opinion.

I related to many of the stories being told and at times wondered- is this person at my school? Other times I was horrified but not shocked by things that happened. Quite often I thought that some of these scenarios would be great case studies for department chairs and administrators or a Public School Law class.

The author tried to leave us on a positive note, but after reading I am feeling more down than up- a ...more

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Aug 15, 2017 Dorian rated it liked it · review of another edition

This book was pretty weird. A lot of situations were definitely ridiculous, and therefore entertaining because I think most teachers have experienced this kind of thing and it's so hard to explain to non-teachers what makes this job so weird. However, there was also a lot of ignorance and disrespect when discussing student identities and disabilities. Not very understanding IMHO.

Would love to read a book in this kind of setup from a fellow elementary school teacher though! Maybe I should just w ...more

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Aug 01, 2016 Ryk Stanton rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I will start with the good: This book was equal parts amusing and frustrating. Amusing because of some of the ridiculous situations we teachers find ourselves in because of our students. Frustrating because the book really does reveal the sense of helplessness that we teachers have when dealing with students, parents, and administration. I think I should also add in an equal part of frightening, for some of the situations Mrs. Morris describes would give caution to any person considering a caree I will start with the good: This book was equal parts amusing and frustrating. Amusing because of some of the ridiculous situations we teachers find ourselves in because of our students. Frustrating because the book really does reveal the sense of helplessness that we teachers have when dealing with students, parents, and administration. I think I should also add in an equal part of frightening, for some of the situations Mrs. Morris describes would give caution to any person considering a career in teaching.

I will now move on to the merely okay: Some of what she says seems exaggerated. Perhaps some exaggeration is necessary in order to create adequate imagery for readers to understand what she has dealt with, but parts feel off. Do I believe bizarre things happen in schools? Absolutely. Do I believe that all of these things happened to her? I have my doubts. But I don't know; I'm not living her life. I do feel as if some of the ways administration handled (or failed to handle) situations she describes seem unrealistic.

And here is the part of the book that really gave it a bad flavor, in my opinion: Some of the names she creates for students and parents who sent her email are perhaps meant to be humorous but are in truth offensive. Dick Schwett? Emma Royd? Jack Haas? Going for the cheap humor takes away some of the book's power. This is further exacerbated by the author's own use of profanity. Teachers curse just as much as anyone, of course, but this book is written by a teacher and for her to use such profanity weakens her credibility. I know there are people who will disagree with this, and they are free to do so, but I just found that extremely offputting. At one point, for example, she reflects upon a student who was a problem to her in her class but who went on to make six figures working for an Internet startup, and she very clearly ends that section with "Yeah I was admittedly a bit bitter. Fuck Bob." We should want our students to be successful, no matter what. She might consider this ironic, and she may have whatever thoughts in her head she would like, but she should never get to the point where she is writing for public consumption the words "fuck [this student]."

Ultimately, I am happy that I read this book. There was quite a bit of wit and wisdom throughout, and she is entirely justified in her criticism of today's schools. I wish that I had thought to capture my thoughts and experiences since I started teaching 20 years ago so I could have written a book like this, and I appreciate the fact that she has shared her experiences with us.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to review this book. ...more

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Jul 21, 2016 Sarah rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

If you feel like being completely entertained while also losing all hope for the American school system, read this book.

I could not put this book down. The stories that Morris tells about the school system are riveting. The antics and violence and outright stupidity that she and other teachers have had to endure are outright insane — some of it is so crazy it’s almost unbelievable. If I did not know many public school teachers personally, I would be inclined to believe some of her stories are em If you feel like being completely entertained while also losing all hope for the American school system, read this book.

I could not put this book down. The stories that Morris tells about the school system are riveting. The antics and violence and outright stupidity that she and other teachers have had to endure are outright insane — some of it is so crazy it’s almost unbelievable. If I did not know many public school teachers personally, I would be inclined to believe some of her stories are embellished. But while I was fortunate enough to escape the atrocity that is public school, I’ve heard enough to know that this is all real.

In a lot of ways, this is such a depressing book. We all know that our school system needs some vast improvements, but this book is a down-and-dirty look at all the ridiculous ways it needs help. While many of the stories and episodes are hilarious, the fact that these stories actually happened is really a cause for concern. Teacher Misery simultaneously makes me feel hopeless about our school system and gives me so much more respect and appreciation for every teacher I know.

Teaching is hard. I think it is one of the most difficult professions a person can choose, right alongside going to war — seriously. Not only do teachers have to pursue extensive training, but they also have to deal with ridiculous or unenforced policies, parents who refuse to discipline their children, and students who are blatantly disrespectful and sometimes dangerous. They must watch out for psychological issues, bad living conditions, and substance abuse while staying within the confines of privacy, policy, and procedure. And they must do all this while actually teaching — introducing new ideas and concepts and encouraging students to think critically about all aspects of their lives — in between mandatory testing, of course. The stress that teachers are put under is incredible — Morris starts the book by stating that almost half of all teachers quit within their first five years. Most cannot handle it.

Teacher Misery is a brutally honest look into teaching, and I think it’s something that needs to be read. When I began writing this review, I was going to write that my only complaint was that Morris does not counter her bad experiences with any good ones. But then I remembered it was titled Teacher Misery for a reason. If I had experienced all that Morris had been through, I would rant for 244 pages too.

I received this book from Truth Be Told Publishing through NetGalley for free in exchange for this honest review.

This review originally appeared on www.missionincomplete95.wordpress.com ...more

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Jul 06, 2016 Sarah rated it it was amazing

Shelves: freebie, nonfiction, kindle

Thanks Netgalley for this book!

Lord help. I've been following Teacher Misery on FB and had heard of this book. I'd even looked and not found it at any of my local libraries so I contented myself with waiting until the holidays to order it when lo and behold it arrived on Netgalley.

Needless to say, I read the whole thing in a day. Ms. "Morris" and the teachers, students and admins (whose names are hilariously changed ex: Harry Pitts, Jack Haas, A. Nell Retentive etc, in order to protect the guil ...more

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May 28, 2016 Jenny Buchta rated it it was amazing

Definitely one of the most brutally honest and real books about teaching that I've read. Anyone who couldn't imagine these scenarios occurring has never taught. I audibly LOLed several times and snapped pictures of hilarious parts to send to my fellow colleague, just so someone else could enjoy the truthfulness that I was reading. All in all, I read this book in less than 24 hours, so yeah, it's that good.

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Jul 20, 2016 Sarah rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I really enjoyed this. I thought it depicted well the struggle of being a teacher in a public school. I teach elementary special education and while I haven't dealt with the amount that she has in her career, I related with the struggle of dealing with parents and testing and administration. In the end, teaching isn't all negative and she is right - those positive moments when you see a child finally understand a concept they've been struggling with make all the negativity melt away.

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May 27, 2016 Rebecca Pruitt rated it really liked it

This book is exactly what I needed to read right now. Teaching is the craziest, hardest, most fun profession that I could've picked for myself. This book made me laugh out loud while also reminding me that I'm truly not alone and I'm lucky to have the job that I do.

The author says it all perfectly:
"But honestly, to me, there's something addictive about the daily challenges, outrageous as they are."

❤ ...more

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Jun 28, 2018 Tiffany rated it it was ok · review of another edition

I don’t understand all the reviews calling this book “funny”. It was mostly horrifying with a side of annoying. As a newish teacher I’ve experienced only a few of my own horror stories, and I bet not a single aspect of the accounts in this book is fabricated or exaggerated. That being said, sometimes I found the author’s reactions to her students to be really insensitive and sometimes rude. The instagram account is definitely funny, so I’m not sure what happened between that and the book.

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Jun 11, 2016 Jeanie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Amazing read for the newbie teacher.

I picked this up for my kindle after seeing it advertised on Instagram and burned through it in a matter of hours. As someone who just finished her first year of teaching, it was refreshing and strangely therapeutic to read about the trials and tribulations of newbies and veterans alike. I couldn't recommend this more highly, and I have no doubt I will revisit it for a good laugh in my (frequent) times of educational angst.

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Jul 14, 2016 Laura rated it it was amazing

I got a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Great book for teachers but if you don't have any super powers it's also awesome. I felt so identified
in some bits of it! I laughed out loud but other parts are simply sad because they're true. It's fast-paced so I encourage everybody to give it a go!

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Nov 09, 2016 Jen from Quebec :0) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, school, non-fiction

As a teacher, I identified with SO much of this book (sadly). EVERYONE should have to read this, to understand better what being a teacher is actually, truly like. It should be REQUIRED reading for every parent with a kid in high school! THAT would be FANTASTIC. Then they would have *some* notion of *our* lives with *their* kids daily at school....

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Jun 02, 2016 Vintage Daisy rated it it was amazing

Great book. If you're a teacher, or work with kids in an educational field in some way, you should read this. Sometimes shocking, sometimes hilarious. Might make you reconsider sending your kid to high school.

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Jul 07, 2016 Feathertofly rated it it was amazing

As someone who is about to begin studying to become a high school teacher, I found this book to be extremely entertaining and thought provoking. It really made me realize how hard of a process it will be to teach but also how wonderful it can be. A must-read for every teacher

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