Chicken Soup for the Teacher's Soul: Stories to Open the Hearts and Rekindle the Spirits of Educators

by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen (Compiler)

Most people recall a teacher or two who had a significant impact on their future. In fact, outside the family unit, teachers have more influence on our lives than anyone else. Good teachers help students believe in themselves with a glimpse of what they might become. They go the extra mile to make learning fun and meaningful, and they inspire students to dream and broaden their horizons. Teachers have the power to change lives. Written by a wide range of teachers, counselors, administrators, educational consultants and former students, the stories in Chicken Soup for the Teacher's Soul will convince teachers that they're needed now more than ever. Chicken Soup for the Teacher's Soul is required reading for every teacher, student and former student. Readers will learn treasured lessons on the importance of encouragement, the power of love, the value of taking a risk in the classroom, and the need for mentors and allies. Teachers will recognize themselves and their students in these stories of hope and love. They will see their growing challenges as newfound opportunities to transform lives.

Genres: Teaching, Education, Nonfiction, Inspirational, Short Stories, Self Help, Adult

384 pages, Paperback

First published April 11, 2002

About the author

Jack Canfield is an American motivational speaker and author. He is best known as the co-creator of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" book series, which currently has over 124 titles and 100 million copies in print in over 47 languages. According to USA Today, Canfield and his writing partner, Mark Victor Hansen, were the top-selling authors in the United States in 1997.

Canfield received a BA in Chinese History from Harvard University and a Masters from University of Massachusetts. He has worked as a teacher, a workshop facilitator, and a psychotherapist.

Canfield is the founder of "Self Esteem Seminars" in Santa Barbara, and "The Foundation for Self Esteem" in Culver City, California. The stated mission of Self Esteem Seminars is to train entrepreneurs, educators, corporate leaders and employees to achieve their personal and professional goals. The focus of The Foundation for Self Esteem is to train social workers, welfare recipients and human resource professionals.

In 1990,he shared with author Mark Victor Hansen his idea for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. After three years, the two had compiled sixty-eight stories.

Canfield has appeared on numerous television shows, including Good Morning America, 20/20, Eye to Eye, CNN's Talk Back Live, PBS, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Montel Williams Show, Larry King Live and the BBC.

Canfield's most recent book, The Success Principles (2005), shares 64 principles that he claims can make people more successful. In 2006, he appeared in the DVD, "The Secret," and shared his insights on the Law of Attraction and tips for achieving success in personal and professional life.

Jack Canfield was born on August 19, 1944, in Fort Worth, TX. He is the son of Elmer and Ellen (a homemaker; maiden name, Taylor). He attended high school at Linsly Military Institute, Wheeling, WV, 1962. He went to college at Harvard University, B.A., 1966; University of Massachusetts at Amherst, M.Ed., 1973. Canfield married Judith Ohlbaum in 1971 (divorced, November 1976); he married Georgia Lee Noble on September 9, 1978 (divorced, December 1999); he married Inga Marie Mahoney on July 4, 2001; children: (first marriage) Oran, David, Kyle, Dania; (second marriage) Christopher Noble. He is a Democrat and a Christian, and his hobbies include tennis, travel, skiing, running, billiards, reading, and guitar.

Reviews

[Debbie W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not technically professional reading, but I appreciate what fellow teachers also experience!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morale in my building is really low. We have a teacher bookshelf in the lounge with light reading for stressed teachers. When I realized how stressed everyone in the building is, I decided to do something about it. This is one of my contributions.

As usual, I laughed and cried while reading this book. I had to take frequent breaks due to the emotional impact while reading.

But I do have one gripe: the majority of the stories deal with elementary school. I teach middle school, the grades no one loves. I have never heard an adult say, "Seventh grade was the best year of my life." I've never heard an adult say, "I'd love to be 13 again." I've never heard an adult say, "If I could do it all over again, I'd be a tween again."

We, middle school teachers, would like more support. Sure, our kids aren't as cute as they were when they were in kindergarten but they're still here, learning.

[Melissa Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book! I've tried multiple CSFTS books before, but this one is the only one I've been able to read cover to cover...twice! Maybe it's that I'm a teacher and can relate to it, or maybe it's the wonderful stories, but whatever it is, I plan to read it again and again.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish there were less religious stories because I'm not into the whole "God" thing but I guess there weren't too too many. There were still plenty of moving stories. Some stories were also a bit outdated... how old is this book? I also wish there were less elementary-age oriented stories. It seemed like a lot of those were the same story over and over.

[Alicia Pelletier · Rating 5 out of 5]

J’ai pleuré. Si humain. Ça ne me permet pas de devenir une meilleure enseignante après ma lecture. Cependant, ce livre permet de se reconnecter aux côtés humains de l’enseignement. C’est beau, c’est touchant.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some great stories about and from the teaching profession. Great way to start the 2017-2018 school year!

[Hayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got one of the newer Chicken Soup for the Teacher's Soul books from one of my favorite teachers/mentors in high school, and I loved it. I found this book at a second-hand bookstore and decided to get it! It was a good, quick read that really tugs at your heartstrings at times, but ultimately reminds me why I'm doing what I'm doing--which is important, especially when life gets hard!

[Kim Hampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and this is a great addition to it. As a substitute teacher, I get to witness the miracles that a loving teacher can bring about.

[Dini · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought the Indonesian translation of this book when I was still teaching. I've only read like half of it before losing it in a house fire. A few months later I quit teaching. Nothing causative between the two incidents, though. Chicken Soup, as always, was heartfelt and inspiring.

[Sandy Haramut · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these Chicken Soup books but this one was special. My sister taught 7th graders for 39 years and I loved all the stories she told me. Now my daughter in law has been teaching 5th graders for two years and I am looking forward to her stories. Kids are so special, and so are their teachers.

[Gina Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

For teachers, students, and anybody else who loves uplifting stories. Filled with stories of teachers that helped students to overcome obstacles so they could learn and be better people. Also has stories of students who inspired teachers to continue going on teaching, sometimes not meeting again until years later. Even if you aren't a teacher or a student, this book will show how sometimes even if you are unaware you're making an impression, you could be changing a person's whole outlook on life. It gives insight on how to bring out the best in children so they can learn and succed

[Erica · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were a few cute stories that I appreciated in this anthology; however, I felt that many of the stories were outdated. Not quite the inspiration I was looking for as a new school year approaches.

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

, have been receiving the Chicken Soul Daily emails since getting my first email address almost two decades ago. I have finally read one of the books and enjoyed it thoroughly. This was just the right book for me to read as a currently not-working teacher and in general.

[Samra · Rating 2 out of 5]

i just dont care. i like teacher stories but this leans too religious for me.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. That's all I have to say. If you're in the educational field, read this book. I have over 20 stories I truly enjoyed from the book.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was okay. Stories were outdated, religious, and more geared towards elementary. The stories involving treatment of special education students honestly infuriated me.

[Dennis Maher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tremendous stories that motivate, captivate ... a book meant for people interested in a career in education, but not just a book for educators.

[Mary Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread this book.

[Francica Cornwall · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a teacher this book gives me the inspiration to deal with the challenges of the profession. I always refer to it on those days when I feel down. Good book for educators.

[Erinn Dimond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a first year 7th grade English teacher and I cried at least a dozen times while reading this. I am so inspired!

[Melissa Muul · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! Gives lots of good tips for things to do with your class and heartwarming stories.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, but encouraging anecdotes of why people love being a teacher. Hint: it's not the money or the fame.

[Linda George · Rating 5 out of 5]

This title was filled with inspirational stories about teachers.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspirational.

[Molli927 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been reading it at school on my lunch break so I do something that isn’t emails and grades for a little bit. Such touching, sweet stories.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book every morning before I went to work. It gave me the perfect push to teach, love, and uninhibitedly.

[Evva Starr · Rating 2 out of 5]

Treacle but comforting

[Jenna Palermo French · Rating 2 out of 5]

Being a public school classroom teacher is the hardest, most rewarding job in the world. Everyone should be required to do it for one year ;)))

It didn’t feel very chicken soup-ey to me

[Terri Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband recently bought this for me for only a dollar in mint condition in a used bookstore because of my longtime work educating children (including homeschooling my own). He has a knack for finding things I like (he knows me well!)

I loved this warm, friendly book full of sweet stories from teachers, parents, and people writing about teachers who made an impact on them. It has a plethora of viewpoints and experiences but above all, you can feel the love and how children changed the hearts and minds of adults and how some very kind adults made the difference in children's lives.

Two things I was not wild about-(1) a number of the teachers apparently proselytized in public schools to public school students which is both illegal and disrespectful to a student's (and family's)right to be free of having someone in power's believe in religious myths imposed and (2) A number of the writers insisted some things were "miracles". It is not a miracle with supernatural help if a school kid learns to read or starts talking to others when they show the child kindness for months. It is a result of the behavior of the people around the child and the child's reaction to it and requires no god. Also, one of the stories had both the proselytizing to kids and the miracle storyline- a class took two potted plants and put them in two separate windows, giving each the same amount of light and water but they ignored one and prayed over the other. The writer insists (and I don't believe it) that the prayed for plant grew large and strong while the one not prayed for nearly died until they prayed for it. That is absurd. Think of all the lovely crops around the world that have the sun and water and good soil they need- yet are never prayed for or belong to Atheists and yet thrive. I suspect this teacher of doing something nasty to one plant to weaken it so to make her students believe her mythical god had taken special care of the prayed for plant.

At any rate, this is a lovely book for anyone who loves children.

[Angie Orr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chicken Soup for the Teacher's Soul. Canfield, Jack.

Rating: ****

Summary: The book is a collection of inspirational short stories on how a teacher can make a difference in a student's life. The stories are all true and very motivating. When a student drains your hopes and you think there is nothing left for you to do but give up, read a story to pick your spirits back up. The stories show that it can be done. Lessons can be learned from another’s experience. The short stories are encouraging and powerful.