See Me After Class: Advice for Teachers by Teachers

My best friend from high school has been a teacher for more than a decade. Over the years, we've stayed in touch and he suggested that I consider getting my teaching certification and become a teacher. His words: "You'd be a great high school or middle school English teacher." It piqued my interest and I had considered it in the past. So I've started the research portion. I've already requested my transcripts from my undergrad schools so I can apply to a teaching cert program. The actual application to the program is still sitting around here somewhere waiting for me to fill out and submit. After reading this book (which I did in a day) I find myself NOT searching for that application. I still intend to go through with it but my zeal has now been tempered with realistic expectations. A week ago, it was all about fantasizing about the Mr. Holland's Opus moments that I'll be living out. After this book, I'm now taking a careful inventory of myself just to make sure I have what is needed to actually DO the job of teaching. This book, (hilarious at some points; had to catch my breath after laughing so hard) is exactly what the author says it is in the first chapter. A realistic view of the teaching profession in America. I feel it somewhat inoculated me against naive pitfalls and armed me to do an important job. At the end of the book, I realize it's not about me living the Stand and Deliver fantasy. It's about the students. At the end of the book, I am left with the realization that there are millions of kids in this world, and they all need at least one good teacher at some point in their lives. If I plan to be that, I can't let the harsh realities of the profession surprise and demoralize me. I can now go into it prepared to conduct myself with a professional work ethic. My Lean On Me delusions are now in their proper place; right next to my NFL Quarterback fantasies. I am now ready to devote myself to making a meaningful contribution to this world and don't need a credit roll at the end to motivate me. Wonderful book. Thanks.

I will be reading this again! This book is funny and honest. The content is excellent. Did I mention honest? This book thoroughly covers it all: the braggers, slackers, oblivious, perfectionists, the good and bad, and even the classic 'inept administrators.' Tons of advice that would fit a wide range of experience levels - strategies for teaching, professionalism, and social interactions. Great for new teachers, and for those who have experience already - it will get your wheels turning on where and how to improve. Are you a perfect, expert teacher? Great! This will help you be a better colleague and mentor to younger teachers. I couldn't put this book down, and I am no longer a teacher (private industry now). Hopefully that speaks to the humor and charm of this book and not to my extremely lame use of free time :) Cheers!

I only found this book during the summer after my first year of teaching, but I think it is actually better that way. I think 90% of this book would have seemed like nonsense to me had I read this last summer at this time. Now, I see so much truth in everything she (and the other teachers) wrote in this book. That is, of course, not to say that I have no need for this book. I see so much of myself and my past year on each page, and to ward off some of those problems from repeating themselves this year, I will certainly be implementing her advice. I cannot say enough about how excited I am to try her suggested filing system. The system is simple and comprehensive, and I am betting that it will help me feel much more organizationally-empowered this year!! Hers is a book I will return to again and again for the next few years. I found myself wondering "Will I ever know enough to write such a thorough book like this about teaching, or will I always be the one hunting down books like this?!" Oh, and thank goodness it is not one of those sappy *ahem* There Are No Shortcuts-esque books that just leave me feeling like I'm wrecking a sacred profession.

I debated between 3 and 4 stars. I went with 4 because, while the negative stories can get you down, even horrify the sensitive, and I was internally begging for an answer to "What did you do about it?!", if you read the book you understand why those stories are there. They prepare you, make the people 'in the trenches' feel less alone, and can act like 'shop talk' with that small negative spin so many of us desire to indulge without getting into a cycle of bitching. (And if you're offended that I cursed in a review of a book about teaching, then a) wake up, and b) this book is not for you. Or maybe it will be once you get a dose of teaching reality.) Why pick it up? Because even if you don't get specific answers to the personal anecdotes, you do get a trove of tidbits that can soothe a newbie (like myself) and possibly give pockets of inspiration to the more experienced. For myself, I know how to create relationships, and I can give reward and punishment that is appropriate spur-of-the-moment, but ideas for consistent and manageable systems escape me. Not only does this book give you ideas for classroom management tactics (such a relief after 3 years of a program that insisted I'd 'figure it out') but it discusses the reality of implementing and fudging systems. And not just for classroom management--grading, organization, classroom systems, social interactions, all of it. This isn't a comprehensive 'how to teach' book. This is a 'fill in those all important gaps' book, once you're past the idealism and ready to face the fact that teaching, extraordinary and fulfilling as it is, is your career, and you have to start acting as much like a competent employee as you do a fantastic mentor.

An honest account of teaching.

I loved it, thank you for make me realize I'm not the only one in with these feelings as a new teacher

Hilarious and insightful. I bought a couple extra copies to distribute because I didn't want to lose mine.

Thanks

a great book for new teachers