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Heartbeats: My Greatest Challenge and My Greatest Strength
155 pages, Hardcover
Published October 25, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 3, 2023
I had the absolute joy to start and finish Mike’s book Heartbeats last night (with no aid of caffeine!).
I’m not a person who oozes optimism, so I didn’t really know how strongly his book would resonate with me. Let the record show, this is the first time (in my mind) that I’ve been wrong. I’ve been in higher education for over a decade and though I’m definitely not out here molding young minds (just tweeting to them), there was so much I learned in this book that I highlighted to apply in my everyday life. One thing I’m constantly preaching in my work is the need for authenticity. “Authenticity does not require you to be perfect.” Consider that line stolen for the next time I’m helping someone do social media strategy.
Mike wove his story so well by building each chapter so that the section’s closing takeaways were presented to you when you were most ready to hear it. It was a beautifully written love letter to life’s obstacles and those who help you overcome them. I encourage educators, families, or anyone who considers themselves a good person (or someone aspiring to be one) to read Heartbeats!
I’m not a person who oozes optimism, so I didn’t really know how strongly his book would resonate with me. Let the record show, this is the first time (in my mind) that I’ve been wrong. I’ve been in higher education for over a decade and though I’m definitely not out here molding young minds (just tweeting to them), there was so much I learned in this book that I highlighted to apply in my everyday life. One thing I’m constantly preaching in my work is the need for authenticity. “Authenticity does not require you to be perfect.” Consider that line stolen for the next time I’m helping someone do social media strategy.
Mike wove his story so well by building each chapter so that the section’s closing takeaways were presented to you when you were most ready to hear it. It was a beautifully written love letter to life’s obstacles and those who help you overcome them. I encourage educators, families, or anyone who considers themselves a good person (or someone aspiring to be one) to read Heartbeats!
October 30, 2023
Book Review
Heartbeats: My Greatest Challenge & My Greatest Strength by is a book that I believe every educator needs to read.
I was lucky enough to have Mike as my administrator for almost two years. In that time I watched him love, respect, and value every student that walked through our doors. He cared about us as a staff like we were his family, and he inspired me to be the best educator I could be.
While reading about Mike’s heartbeats I laughed, smiled, and cried. I reflected on my own teaching practices. I thought of new ways I can be a heartbeat for my students. Most importantly I reflected on the heartbeats in my life, and how Mike is definitely one of them!
Some of my favorite quotes from the book…
* You are who you are. Our students are who they are. On the smallest scales within our personalities all the way to the grandest, who you are in your heart is who you need to be in real life. There is something unique special about that.
* Behavior is only a form of communication. At times, it is the only way children know how to explain they are undergoing emotions they don't recognize.
* Be an advocate so loud that I couldn't be mistaken for anything other than a heartbeat that wanted to help.
* Some of our students who appear to be the most difficult to work with make it feel like we will never get them where they need to go. They have some pretty stacked odds against them. Well, if we don't believe and push for them, who will?
* We fight so they do not become invisible in systems that refuse to get out of the way. We can't allow them to slip through the cracks into the darkness, but rather be the glimmer of light that eliminates it.
* The filthiest, most ambiguous and polluted paths can actually lead us to the most beautiful places with clarity in why we went through it in the first place.
* Try not to walk in someone else’s shoes. Try to see through their eyes. Then, you have to ask about what you see. And try not to judge.
And my favorite quote of all, and what Mike said to our kids everyday…
* Be kind. It is the easiest thing you can do for someone else. Know that you are loved and that you matter in every single room you walk into.
Heartbeats: My Greatest Challenge & My Greatest Strength by is a book that I believe every educator needs to read.
I was lucky enough to have Mike as my administrator for almost two years. In that time I watched him love, respect, and value every student that walked through our doors. He cared about us as a staff like we were his family, and he inspired me to be the best educator I could be.
While reading about Mike’s heartbeats I laughed, smiled, and cried. I reflected on my own teaching practices. I thought of new ways I can be a heartbeat for my students. Most importantly I reflected on the heartbeats in my life, and how Mike is definitely one of them!
Some of my favorite quotes from the book…
* You are who you are. Our students are who they are. On the smallest scales within our personalities all the way to the grandest, who you are in your heart is who you need to be in real life. There is something unique special about that.
* Behavior is only a form of communication. At times, it is the only way children know how to explain they are undergoing emotions they don't recognize.
* Be an advocate so loud that I couldn't be mistaken for anything other than a heartbeat that wanted to help.
* Some of our students who appear to be the most difficult to work with make it feel like we will never get them where they need to go. They have some pretty stacked odds against them. Well, if we don't believe and push for them, who will?
* We fight so they do not become invisible in systems that refuse to get out of the way. We can't allow them to slip through the cracks into the darkness, but rather be the glimmer of light that eliminates it.
* The filthiest, most ambiguous and polluted paths can actually lead us to the most beautiful places with clarity in why we went through it in the first place.
* Try not to walk in someone else’s shoes. Try to see through their eyes. Then, you have to ask about what you see. And try not to judge.
And my favorite quote of all, and what Mike said to our kids everyday…
* Be kind. It is the easiest thing you can do for someone else. Know that you are loved and that you matter in every single room you walk into.
October 26, 2023
✨BOOK REVIEW✨
Heartbeats
By Mike Azzalina
Release date: TBD (but coming soon)
Review:
Have you ever read something, and it came at the time you most needed it? Well that’s exactly what I found in Heartbeats. I was lucky enough to get an eARC that I absolutely flew three. But before I get to the good stuff, let me give you a little background.
Mike was my principal! This guy made students and staff feel loved every day. I felt supported every day I walked into school. I knew whatever game, idea, or plan Mike had up his sleeve was going to be fun, would have a positive impact on students, staff, families, or all of the above, and was purposeful. When Mike had to leave I was a puddle of tears. But I feel like a better teacher for having him in my life. And now I get to see him thriving around the country in his job, writing books like this one, and having an even bigger impact on kids across the country.
Now on to his book. a heartbeat is someone who has an impact on others that they sometimes never even know about. They keep us moving and growing, and a better version of ourself. While reading Heartbeats, I laughed, I cried, and quite a few times I turned to my husband to read him something. There were so many moments I thought, “And this is what made Mike an amazing administrator.” I hope all educators pick up a copy of this amazing book coming to the world soon!
Scroll through ➡️ to see a couple of my favorite quotes and inspiration.
A HUGE thank you to Mike Azzalina and Code Breaker Inc. for the eARC, and for trusting me to be one of the first readers!
Heartbeats
By Mike Azzalina
Release date: TBD (but coming soon)
Review:
Have you ever read something, and it came at the time you most needed it? Well that’s exactly what I found in Heartbeats. I was lucky enough to get an eARC that I absolutely flew three. But before I get to the good stuff, let me give you a little background.
Mike was my principal! This guy made students and staff feel loved every day. I felt supported every day I walked into school. I knew whatever game, idea, or plan Mike had up his sleeve was going to be fun, would have a positive impact on students, staff, families, or all of the above, and was purposeful. When Mike had to leave I was a puddle of tears. But I feel like a better teacher for having him in my life. And now I get to see him thriving around the country in his job, writing books like this one, and having an even bigger impact on kids across the country.
Now on to his book. a heartbeat is someone who has an impact on others that they sometimes never even know about. They keep us moving and growing, and a better version of ourself. While reading Heartbeats, I laughed, I cried, and quite a few times I turned to my husband to read him something. There were so many moments I thought, “And this is what made Mike an amazing administrator.” I hope all educators pick up a copy of this amazing book coming to the world soon!
Scroll through ➡️ to see a couple of my favorite quotes and inspiration.
A HUGE thank you to Mike Azzalina and Code Breaker Inc. for the eARC, and for trusting me to be one of the first readers!
December 28, 2023
I loved reading your story, Mike. Thank you for sharing your heartbeats with us and giving us all some added empathy.
My kids miss you and love you. They got some super heroes in their bath bombs for Christmas and exclaimed that the hero was you. It made me smile.
You are definitely a heartbeat for them. Thank you for touching their lives and giving them grace.
My kids miss you and love you. They got some super heroes in their bath bombs for Christmas and exclaimed that the hero was you. It made me smile.
You are definitely a heartbeat for them. Thank you for touching their lives and giving them grace.
December 10, 2023
This is a great book for anyone looking to learn more about impactful ways to build relationships with the people around you. Very inspiring and thought provoking!
April 2, 2024
All Educators should read this book.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews