Teacher, Teacher: Stories of inspirational educators

by Megan Daley (Editor)

The power of an exceptional teacher cannot be overestimated. Sometimes it is not about what they taught you, but about how they made you feel as a person.
Teacher, Teacher is an anthology of stories showcasing those brilliant educators who have nurtured, inspired, championed or created change - in one student or in a community.
Edited by award-winning teacher-librarian Megan Daley of Children's Books Daily and the Your Kid's Next Read podcast, these are authentic accounts focusing on both light and more sombre educational journeys of contributors including Jessie Tu, Tony Birch, Rick Morton, Jacqueline Harvey + many more. Defying the usual stereotypes, Teacher, Teacher provides insight into what makes an exceptional teacher and is a celebration of great educators everywhere.

Genres: Nonfiction

342 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 25, 2023

About the author

Megan Daley is passionate about children's literature and sharing it with young and old alike. In daylight hours, Megan is a teacher librarian at St Aidan's Anglican Girls School in Queensland and was recently awarded the Queensland Teacher Librarian of the Year by the School Library Association of Queensland, as well as the national Dromken Librarians Award, presented by the State Library of Victoria.

A former national vice-president of the Children's Book Council of Australia, she is currently on the Queensland chapter of the board of the Australian Children's Laureate and on the Publications Committee of the National Library of Australia. She blogs about all things literary, library and tech. She also thinks sleep is overrated.

Reviews

[Olivia Angel-Keys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved reading so many different stories about how teachers are remembered and how they can make a difference to one’s life. Needed this book as a reminder of the like-minded teachers and schools out there, that understand school needs to be a safe space where connection is formed and children feel supported. Where we can learn from children and where relationships are the centre of everything. Where children remember how they felt in that moment and the words that were spoken. Where educators and children can constantly inspire each other.

[Caren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having taught in three countries over many decades before retirement, many of the teachers’ and students’ comments in this collection resonated with me. However, the writing itself disappointed me, mostly that of the teachers themselves. Rather than inspirational, many of their accounts were chronicles of where they’d taught and what they’d done. What most interested me were the students’ memories of their special teachers, those who understood “Sometimes it is not about what they taught you, but about how they made you feel as a person.” {attributed to Maya Angelou} I remembered my high school English teachers, Linda Kreithen and Louis Murphy, who had both helped me further my love of literature.

The story that did grab me was undoubtedly “Physical Education”, written by Sam Drummond, who remembers his first PE class and how he had dreaded being the only kid in a wheelchair. His teacher, however, made Sam comfortable in his new surroundings. Mr. Hazlett had lined up 21 empty wheelchairs, one for each of the other students, announcing that they were going to play wheelchair basketball. Sam’s account of this moment moved me as I felt my admiration for the teacher who had planned this important lesson and understood how it had impacted on this student with a disability.

I wish there had been more of these moments recorded in the collection.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because my friend is one of the teachers honoured in it - but I actually really enjoyed the exploration of the topic of teaching and found it a lot more interesting than I expected.

[Emily Stavljanin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable and easy read, though some sections were a little insufferable/not well written. I enjoyed most of the pieces in this book and would recommend it.

[Tim Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating insights & inspirational stories esp Tony Birch’s drawing upon his live of running to refocus his academic studies.

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many emotions right now!!!

This book bought me to so many tears and exactly what I needed to read just before I started my final placement as a student teacher. It really reminded me why I spend countless nights writing assessments, lesson plans, unit plans and resources.

It is for stories like these and reminding myself that I am not doing this for me but for the students and those who I can hopefully make an impact on, whether academically or socially and emotionally.

I could not recommend this book more for those student teacher questioning why they are putting themselves through the pain of the degree, early year teachers who are panicking about being underprepared or any teacher who needs a gentle reminder for why we are in this profession and who we are doing this for.

[Kate McLean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading the different stories from teachers.

[Tallulah Griffin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very poorly written by some contributors.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some stories were great and relatable - skipped through some others.

[Tobi Weepers · Rating 2 out of 5]

I keep waiting for the stories to be inspirational.....

[Kikkra Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every few months I find a books bout teaching or teachers and I pick it up. This is a topic I love to read about, especially when it comes to Aussie teachers, with me being an Aussie primary school teacher and all.

I didn't know what to expect when I picked up this anthology. I really loved some of the essays, they had my laughing or crying or nodding in agreement. One essay had me excited because it is set in the same town I teach in! But then there were some essays that I didn't agree with, I questioned. Some made me angry or frustrated.

Maybe that is a sign of a good anthology. I spoke about it with teacher friends, and I just kept reading, even when super frustrated. Either way an interesting read and one I plan to leave in the staffroom for another teacher to pick up and read.