The (Un)official Teacher's Manual: What They Don't Teach You in Training

by Omar Akbar

Teaching is a demanding profession. Many of the difficulties however, are not in the classroom...

In The (Un)official Teacher's Manual, Omar Akbar offers direct, humorous and accessible advice on how to deal with the daily issues faced by a teacher- none of which involve teaching!

Includes guidance on: lesson observations, emails, promotions, avoiding meaningless extra work, meetings, parents, maintaining a work-life balance, dealing with workplace bullying, and much more.

While Omar pulls no punches on the reality of working in a school, a positive streak is maintained throughout.

A must read for any teacher or potential teacher.

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Contents:

Introduction: Why This Book Was Written
1. How to Get the Most from Observations, Learning Walks, and Book Scrutinies
2. The Don’ts of the School Email System
3. How to Get Promoted and Other Things to Consider
4. How and When to Say No and Yes
5. The Dos and Don’ts of Meetings
6. How to Get Parents on Your Side
7. Guidance for Trainee Teachers
8. Ensuring a Life-Work Balance
9. Bullying: the Problem and the Solution
10. How to Get the Teaching Job You Want
11. Maintaining Good Relationships
12. Why It’s All Worth It

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction

141 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 5, 2017

About the author

Omar Akbar has been teaching for 11 years in 4 different schools and has also held various positions of responsibility in the school setting.

Reviews

[Nadya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really great and I am not joking. I am an experienced teacher yet I found it very interesting, useful, applicable and very honest. Transparency and honesty are not quite frequent nowadays in our profession when it comes to advice and guidance regarding some aspects of our hectic days in and after school. I can confidently confirm that Omar has managed to write a manual and hence he delivered on his promise given in the title. I was a bit sceptical when thinking whether to buy this book or not. Out of curiosity , just because I had met this teacher 'in the flesh' on our training day, I decided to 'check it out'. To my surprise, I never regretted neither spending my time, nor my money. Well done, Omar, excellent work!

[Michael Storer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having met Omar at a training session a few months ago I've been waiting for the chance to finally read his book, and it hasn't disappointed! Omar presents career-affirming and genuine advice that has me already itching to get back into the classroom one week into the summer break.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful!

[Barbara Leivang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely helpful!

Simple to understand and such valuable insights! I think every teacher trainee must make it a point to read this! I'm quite convinced it contains some life saving advice.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting.

[Nae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks Omar! A really helpful book that offers wisdom for the early career teacher and the experienced teacher alike.

[Tom Dolphino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really insightful and engaging read! Lots of useful information that is applicable to new teachers and experienced teachers alike.

[Katie Collier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calmed a lot of anxieties about starting teacher training and lots of useful advice that has already helped my research and planning

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read as a new trainee teacher.

Great read as a new trainee teacher. Simple (not full of unnecessary waffle) and to the point, great advice and funny!

[Elizabeth Thacker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of handy hints and definitely the voice of someone who knows.

[Nana Tokeh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read.

Although not a new teacher in that sense I still found this useful to read.It reinforced what I already know and reminded of some of what I'd forgotten.

[Adeel Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very realistic account of school-life.

This is the sort of advice that an older brother would give. Super wise and practical.

[Maruthi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy to read (major positive)
Lots of useful advice for new teachers and good reminding for experienced. It's very thin book and and more like a blog, slightly expensive for what it is. Omar could have spent more time gathering other people's opinions that teachers might benefit and that could have made it more complete manual. Right now it's like a quarter of an unofficial manual .