Humans Who Teach

by Shamari Reid

Love. Love now. Love always. Time and lives are wasting.

All of the humans in schools—kids and adults—deserve joy. Yet, our experiences in schools, and the experiences of our students, are often far from joyful.

Humans Who Teach invites readers to explore the complicated humanity of those who teach, with a focus on how we have been socialized to accept the status quo, our very real fears in disrupting the status quo, and how we can rely on our human capacity to love to engage in teaching for social justice even in the presence of fear.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Professional Development, Love, Teaching

136 pages, Paperback

Published March 26, 2024

Reviews

[Jessica Hostetter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, as far as professional development books go, this has been my favorite. Did it feel like I was on a meditative teacher retreat where we would all sit around in a circle at the end of the night and sing songs about loving one another? Yes. Is that kind of exactly what I needed this summer after being completely burnt out of teaching to the point where I almost quit my job last year? Also yes. There was only ONE cringe moment for me at the end of chapter four, but from the person who usually cringes her way through entire books written about teaching "by teachers" and refuses to believe that any of those people remember what it's like to actually be in a classroom, one cringe was pretty good. Mr. Reid did an amazing job at what he set out to do- humanizing the profession for those of us who had lost sight of the reality that we are- humans who teach.

[Kayse Maass · Rating 4 out of 5]

A guidebook that feels like an invitation to a healing meditation.

For people who teach- who all too often give and give and give of themselves in service of their students. Shamari invites us to reflect on how and why we give so much of ourselves to teaching, and how that can be a disservice to ourselves and the students we teach. He reminds us that people who teach deserve to lead lives full of peace, love, and joy—- not of burnout. In fact, if we want our students to live lives full of peace, love, and joy, shouldn’t we model this for them as well?

This guidebook is refreshingly honest and invitational. Shamari weaves together examples of his experiences as a teacher (including examples of how his mindset or teaching practices have been problematic in the past, how he recognized this, and how he worked to correct them) and exercises for the reader to reflect on their own motivations, practices, and biases.

Short book

Would make for a great multi-week book/discussion club book.

*Listened to on audiobook

[Izzy Letourneau · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

I was hoping for Reid to touch more on our current political climate and get deeper into how to navigate that as a teacher. That said, it felt very validating in the sense where yes you’re a teacher but you’re also a human being. Humans aren’t perfect. People make mistakes and oftentimes that gets overlooked in teachers. He talked a lot about love and loving your students which really resonated with me. He spoke about prioritizing their emotional and physical well-being and how oftentimes veteran teachers villainize new teachers for not giving homework or going “too easy” on their students. I also enjoyed how it synthesized a lot of the research I’ve already read in my classes. Overall, nothing too ground breaking but a good read for teachers putting in the culturally responsive teaching work who want validation that they’re doing something meaningful.

[Liz Meyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated this short, easy book that pulls together some of my favorite theorists into an accessible and enjoyable format for busy teachers. Reid’s attention to an ethic of love, self-regard and challenging fears is important and succinctly stated. I only gave it 3 stars because it was quite short and brought very little that I felt was new to the conversation. Chapters 4&5 were my favorites and where I felt the most energy as I read. This book is a great summer read for educators looking for a refresh or an introduction to thinking about social Justice and culturally responsive pedagogies.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reads more like a healing meditation for humans who teach than a "guide to teaching" and I'm so, so grateful for it.

I didn't realize how badly I needed something like this until I finally curled around a cup of tea this afternoon and let Shamari's soothing voice walk me through how to center love, even over learning, in the classroom. As I prepare to teach again this fall, with a heavier course load and at a new institution, this was just what I needed to center myself and remember why I fell in love with the profession in the first place.

To any other humans who teach, read this and remember that first spark that got you teaching in the first place.

[Tory · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a hard one for me as I saw many challenges to teaching and making sure that I make my classroom culturally aware and status quo disrupting by centering love for my students and myself in my curriculum. I am fortunate to live in a state where these things are not constantly challenged, but I still felt the fear that Reid addresses in the fifth chapter.
I only gave it four stars as I would have liked more concrete examples of what I can do in my classroom, but I also know that such a short book cannot address every educational situation.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have had this book on my night stand for several months - I had heard the author speak on a podcast or something. It has given me a lot to think about and had several points that affirmed why I do what I do. In a few places, I found myself skimming over pages. I think I would really enjoy listening more to the author speak and engage in conversation rather just read his words. But this was a good kick off to my new year of teaching and loving.

[Kennycia Hairston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book! It discusses many of the current elements of truly being a culturally responsive teacher. It discusses biases in many facets. My favorite part of the book is the tools provided to use in moment. I used this book with a team I managed for them to be able to identify their identifies and unpack how we all have different privileges.

[Anna W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly thought provoking book for any human in education. While I listened to the audio, I highly recommend getting a hard copy for the bonus materials included in the PDF. I plan to purchase one myself.

Love now. Love always. Have self regard.

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humans Who Teach is a reflective and timely read to gear up for the new school year.

[Charlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The questions in Chapter 4 will be useful during curriculum planning and considering purpose of form time.

[Dania Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strong messages about remembering to infuse love into classrooms because students who feel seen, heard and loved learn best.

[Carla Boniolo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the overall message of this book, but didn’t really learn anything new or get anything from the act of reading this book. Surface level stuff, when I wanted more of a deep dive.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a time where our jobs as educators can feel so challenging, this book reminds us to give ourselves grace — and that we are humans first before anything. Cannot say enough good about this.

[Danielle Vanek · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lame

[Mackenzie]

ESL Endorsement homework ✅

[Paris Michaud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love, Justice, and Liberation in Schools by Shamari Reid is a beautiful handbook that explores the complex humanity of educators and how they may implore that humanity in their instructional practices. He calls out to educators to let their humanity, specifically their capacity for love and compassion, lead them in responding to the challenges faced by students. It is the responsibility of the teacher to engage in anti-bias work and unlearn the lies and prejudices they’ve been socialized into believing, notice community patterns while addressing the challenges individual students face, and actively fight against the status quo, even when it may get them in trouble. It dismantles the idea of a perfect teacher with superhero-like powers, capable of eliminating all strife from the lives of their students. It honors the natural human nature of educators and encourages them to lead with love (love for themselves, love for their students, and love for their profession) rather than fear, even in challenging moments. Reid acknowledges that the system rewards those who perpetrate oppression and punishes those who don’t, but declares inaction as an action in itself, a very problematic action at that. He urges educators to let love sustain their anti-oppressive efforts. This book radically changed the way I navigate my journey of becoming an educator.