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The (Un)official Teacher's Manual: What They Don't Teach You in Training
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 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.
- GenresTeaching
140 pages, Paperback
Published May 4, 2017
4 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Omar Akbar
8 books4 followersOmar Akbar has been teaching for 11 years in 4 different schools and has also held various positions of responsibility in the school setting.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 31, 2023
As a trainee this book was a valuable read. As Akbar is a teacher himself, the advice told in the book hits at the core of teaching life - as opposed to theory and ideas form non-teacher authors.
This book is not one filled with theory, pedagogy and unnecessary amounts of advanced English language - that mean you need to Google worlds to understand the point the author is trying to make. This approach makes the reading experience all the more enjoyable, as the advice is easily accessible and digestible.
The chapters on bullying, time management and advice on being observed were extremely welcomed and valued by me. As a trainee, the advice in these chapters made me feel more prepared and excited, as I feel I can handle the demands of the profession in a more organized and efficient way.
My only drawback is I thought the book could do with a few extra chapters. Even if it meant diving into a little bit of pedagogy such as how to make planning efficient and effective, how to make lessons enjoyable and effective, dealing with negative behavior. I feel this would really bring the teacher manual full circle, especially since the author is a teacher.
All in all however, I have learnt a lot from this little book and will be following the advice given. I will definitely refer back to this book in my teaching career!
This book is not one filled with theory, pedagogy and unnecessary amounts of advanced English language - that mean you need to Google worlds to understand the point the author is trying to make. This approach makes the reading experience all the more enjoyable, as the advice is easily accessible and digestible.
The chapters on bullying, time management and advice on being observed were extremely welcomed and valued by me. As a trainee, the advice in these chapters made me feel more prepared and excited, as I feel I can handle the demands of the profession in a more organized and efficient way.
My only drawback is I thought the book could do with a few extra chapters. Even if it meant diving into a little bit of pedagogy such as how to make planning efficient and effective, how to make lessons enjoyable and effective, dealing with negative behavior. I feel this would really bring the teacher manual full circle, especially since the author is a teacher.
All in all however, I have learnt a lot from this little book and will be following the advice given. I will definitely refer back to this book in my teaching career!
January 21, 2019
I liked this book. It was very useful to me having just got a place for teacher training straight out of university to have the more political side of teaching explained in such a straight forward and honest way. Throughout the book the author stated that he was pulling no punches, and that was true. As much as I knew before that there was going to be negative sides to teaching, I had never had them explained to me before, so I am thankful to this book for doing just that. However, I was in no way put off the profession. Despite making it seem a little scary Akbar was overall very positive about a career as a teacher and told many little anecdotes that I will be sure to pass on. In short, I will be recommending this book to my peers on my teacher training course and will be referring to it throughout my first year!
August 14, 2024
This book was hilarious, sobering, inspiring and moving in equal measure.
A no-nonsense insider’s head up for me to read as I begin my PGCE. And after a heavy dose of truth, the final chapter left me uplifted and even a little teary with possible excitement (having spent much of the book a little daunted …!). I finish it feeling better informed and most importantly, more ready.
Thank you Mr Akbar
A no-nonsense insider’s head up for me to read as I begin my PGCE. And after a heavy dose of truth, the final chapter left me uplifted and even a little teary with possible excitement (having spent much of the book a little daunted …!). I finish it feeling better informed and most importantly, more ready.
Thank you Mr Akbar
December 3, 2017
some great advice to enter teaching field especially the bulliying part. this book will make you want to become a happy teacher.
June 30, 2020
Fantastic support for anyone thinking of going into the teaching profession!
July 12, 2020
Absolutely brilliant. This needs to be read by all teachers, new or old. Honest and refreshing. Loved it!
October 2, 2020
Really straightforward and easy to read. Offered some good tips
August 2, 2023
All common sense really. Not as good as expected.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews