Class Notes: A Young Teacher's Lessons from Classroom to Kennedy Compound

by Carolyn Wood

In May 1968 first-year English teacher Carolyn Wood takes a day off from school to campaign for Robert F. Kennedy. Invigorated by the senator's hopeful message, Wood develops big dreams to effect change beyond just her classroom. So when she's invited to be the family's governess, the appeal is undeniable. Class Notes follows her journey from the classroom into the famous family-ten boisterous children and one on the way-still reeling from Robert Kennedy's assassination. From inside the Kennedy Compound, stories emerge, the glimmer of fame fades, and the young teacher who sought worldliness and sophistication discovers instead the value of enough.

334 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2021

Reviews

[Marleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Through a fortuitous chain of events a young teacher takes a year off of teaching after being asked to be a nanny for the children of Robert Kennedy. Unfortunately her assignment began shortly after his death. Carolyn was a young, curious, energetic woman when she entered the large, rambunctious Kennedy household. Ethel Kennedy was pregnant and on bed rest. Carolyn's job was to get up the kids, help them with school work, shepherd them to their after school activities and otherwise do all the tasks a busy mother does. This was not an eight hour job. Ethel Kennedy does not turn out to be an easy boss and the job eventually becomes overwhelming despite the fact that so many celebrities visit.

[Kate Rood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed finishing this book right as this year 2021 ends - being transported to the 60’s was exactly what I needed to keep staying present in the history unfolding now. I loved the deeply personal details and glimpses into such a famous family — opening the “fan mail” spread out across the ping pong table, watching the election returns for Nixon with Bobby Kennedy’s kids, Christmas shopping with the Kennedy credit card. Wonderfully written!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an enjoyable memoir, from the author's account of her first days as a very young high school teacher, to a challenging year as governess to the children of Ethel and Robert Kennedy, on the heels of Kennedy's assassination. A nice followup to "Tough Girl," Woods' earlier book.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readers here will find a fascinating memoir that says something about our shared history, the process of education and learning, the value of teachers, our misplaced worship of celebrity and the human condition. Besides this is very well written.