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 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.

I buy this book for every student teacher and new teacher I know. It's honest, practical, and gets down to the most important aspects of teaching. No nonsense and a ton of excellent advice!

I'm a recently minted teacher facing my first year in a new position. Even though my only experience in handling a classroom was in my professional semester in college, it left me discouraged and uncertain about whether or not I should actually choose this career. Teacher-training gives a solid foundation in theory, but when it comes to translating theory to practice, airy platitudes ("be consistent," "involve the whole class," "build a strong classroom culture," etc.) are the norm. Practical advice and well-grounded encouragement are hard to come by in the early days of this profession, and this book provides it in spades.The author does advocate a few morally grey actions (such as how to "put on a show" for the benefit of classroom observers), and my professors would probably disavow at least half of everything. But when you consider how teachers are supposed to be ultra-patient, ultra-caring, ultra-organized people who care unconditionally for every student and runs the classroom like a well-tuned engine...well, you get the idea. The bottom line is that no one, not even teachers, are perfect, and that pretending otherwise won't do anyone any favors.TL;DR - New teachers, read this. Then go read everything else.

I bought this as a gift for an elementary school teacher working in a rather rough city school system.I was worried that a book about 'how to be a good teacher' would be insulting to her since she's already a good teacher. But I took the other reviews about it from other teachers who said that it's a great book ever for 30 year veterans, and rolled the dice.Sure enough the teacher I gave this too loved it! Teach, as you are probably aware, is a very exhausting job. It's very easy to get bogged down in the day to day operations of a class room and lose focus on why you got into the career in the first place. This book helped my sister remember why she was so passionate about being a teacher in the first place. And the advice it gives is just good advice, that helps to be reminded of even if you already knew it.This turned out to be a wonderful gift for a teacher. She's loved it and has thanked me for it numerous times.

An honest account of teaching.

Ich bin zwiegespalten, was das Buch angeht. Einerseits haben mich die aufmunternden E-Mails zu diesem Buch im Praxissemester über Wasser gehalten, andererseits werden hier dieselben nicht funktionierenden Methoden propagiert, was Disziplin angeht, wie von anderen altgedienten Lehrern, die einfach aufgegeben haben und die Kinder nur noch als ihren Job angehen. Vielleicht bin ich zu idealistisch, aber es gibt andere Methoden als „Don’t smile before Christmas“ wie das „Raise responsibility system“ von Marvin Marshall. Dieser Teil des Buches hat mich also dementsprechend sehr geärgert, denn es empfiehlt die autoritäre Haudraufmethode, die 1/3 der Lehrer dazu bewegt, den Job hinzuwerfen, weil sie Lehrer und nicht Polizist sein wollen.Andere Themenbereiche sind durchaus hilfreich, wie zu wissen, dass auch erfahrene Lehrer kein wirklich perfektes Ordnungssystem haben. Andererseits ist es eine Binsenweisheit, dass man zeitnah korrigieren sollte, zumal es laut Schulgesetz in BW sogar verboten ist eine neue Klassenarbeit zu schreiben, wenn die davor nicht korrigiert zurückgegeben ist. Einige der beschriebenen Probleme sind typisch amerikanisch und unterhaltsam zu lesen, weil sie einen nie betreffen werden.Teilweise sind die Anfangsprobleme aber durchaus übertragbar und es ist „ermutigend“ zu lesen, was einige Lehrer erlebt haben, die aber dennoch den Job weitergemacht haben.Wenn man das Buch kritisch liest, sich die Infos herausnimmt, die zeigen, dass andere auch nicht perfekt sind und akzeptiert, dass das erste Jahr für alle neuen Lehrer ein Höllenritt ist, ist das Buch durchaus unterhaltsam zu lesen und amüsant. Man sollte aber wohl nicht alle Ratschläge wirklich beherzigen.

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

Thanks

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