Time Out: A teacher's year of reading, fighting, and four-letter words

by Liane Shaw

Before she began writing books for teens, Liane Shaw was an elementary teacher. She brings her gifts for storytelling and humor to this account of her journey into the lives of emotionally challenged students. With little in the way of experience or resources, she found herself thrust into the most challenging kind of teaching imaginable. From the moment Shaw meets her first two boys, as they sit teetering precariously on top of a bookshelf while swearing at the principal, she is both fascinated and terrified. Funny yet sad, strong yet vulnerable, these boys are both the bullies and the bullied. All from different backgrounds, the one thing they have in common is that the odds are against them and that the myriad efforts of the adults involved in their lives often do more harm than good. Shaw moves from frustration to determination. Readers will root for her to succeed, as invested in the success of these kids as she is. Students and teachers continue to face the same challenges, and our education system is still struggling to cope with its most vulnerable students. Shaw's wish in sharing her story is clear - that as adults we can help children with mental health issues heal and succeed, and that stories like hers can be moved to the history shelf.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction

276 pages, Paperback

First published April 12, 2014

Reviews

[Edwina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I slogged through it, but I kept comparing it to "Teach like your hair is on fire", and it just didn't get there. This is a quieter book, less action, less horn blowing.

But I will tell anyone, read this, but read "Teach like your hair is on fire" if you want to feel good about teaching. This book, Time out, will only make you sad.

[Margaret Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bravo to Ms Shaw for her authentic, snappy-dialogued creative non-fiction narrative (set in southwestern Ontario, Canada)of her experience during the first of her many years teaching troubled kids!! It rings true on many levels, and is tightly written with insight and compassionate, self-effacing humour. Well done! Many many people should read this!

[Luciana · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those of us who have ever worked in a special ed classroom, this book brought home the trials and tribulations of working with kids that no one else ever wanted to help or could help.

Liane captures the very essence of what teachers have to do to make things work; the lack of staff, the lack of space, the lack of funding, the lack of support from admin....all these things that are so important to make these kids feel safe, secure, and give them a sense of belonging.

It is so important to have activities and life skills woven into the curriculum, as well as setting up successes so that everyone feels like part of the team.

A great read and great ideas!

[Costa Voutsinas · Rating 4 out of 5]

From beginning to end, Liane catches your emotions as a parent, teacher, neighbor, human being and transforms your innermost thoughts and beliefs into accepting our strengths but especially our weaknesses as a society when faced with the 'abnormal' path of childhood. Instead of giving up and turning a page, she absorbs the impact and truthfully seeks out the best we have to offer others who are not as fortunate as we are: empathy. Kudos to the author and especially those boys.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely awesome book. Anyone involved in education should read this...