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My Teacher's Secret Life
Everyone knows that teachers belong in school. But one day, Mrs. Quirk is spotted in the supermarket. And, as if that isn't bad enough, she is later seen trying on skates at the mall. Does she have a secret life? And just who is that girl that looks just like her -- only smaller?
In this delightfully zany picture book, every child's curiosity is made wonderfully plain as Mrs. Quirk and her cohorts are found out at last!
In this delightfully zany picture book, every child's curiosity is made wonderfully plain as Mrs. Quirk and her cohorts are found out at last!
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
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96 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 31, 2017
My teacher’s secret life, by Stephen Krensky & illustrated by JoAnn Adinolfi. Published by Simon & Shuster Books for Young Readers in 1996.This book could be used in PK – 2, or even 3rd. Guided reading level: N; Lexile: 590L. 32 pages.
This story answers that question that a lot of students have: what do teachers do when the bell rings? In the story, one Mrs. Quirk’s student speculates as to what she does outside of school. He knows she has a “secret” life. On each page he explains more about what he thinks she does and then it culminates with him seeing her outside of school where his curiosity is really piqued. He sees her with a man and a younger looking version of Mrs. Quirk and tries to put the puzzle pieces together.
I would teach this as part of a unit with What do teachers do (after you leave school?) where we talk about point of view in story. Both books are perfect for talking about and teaching point of view, or who is telling the story. We’d compare and contrast the books, talk about the point of view of both books (and how they can change based on who tells the story; I may even bring in The True Story of the Three Little Pigs as well for further study,) and it may culminate with students re-writing a story from a different character’s POV or writing their own story.
3.RL.6 Distinguish their own point of view from that of the narrator or those of the characters.
3.RL.9 Compare and contrast the themes, settings, and plots of stories written by the same author about the same or similar characters (e.g. in books from a series) *
3.W.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
This story answers that question that a lot of students have: what do teachers do when the bell rings? In the story, one Mrs. Quirk’s student speculates as to what she does outside of school. He knows she has a “secret” life. On each page he explains more about what he thinks she does and then it culminates with him seeing her outside of school where his curiosity is really piqued. He sees her with a man and a younger looking version of Mrs. Quirk and tries to put the puzzle pieces together.
I would teach this as part of a unit with What do teachers do (after you leave school?) where we talk about point of view in story. Both books are perfect for talking about and teaching point of view, or who is telling the story. We’d compare and contrast the books, talk about the point of view of both books (and how they can change based on who tells the story; I may even bring in The True Story of the Three Little Pigs as well for further study,) and it may culminate with students re-writing a story from a different character’s POV or writing their own story.
3.RL.6 Distinguish their own point of view from that of the narrator or those of the characters.
3.RL.9 Compare and contrast the themes, settings, and plots of stories written by the same author about the same or similar characters (e.g. in books from a series) *
3.W.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
April 8, 2008
This was always one of my "first week of school" reads for the younger grades. They loved it. But I think I got more of a laugh from it than they did! Even though it's so absured, it rings true, becasue I have had many students assume I live at school. They see me in the market or the library and have a fit! Too funny...
September 8, 2011
This book capitalizes on that awkwardness some children feel seeing their teachers outside of school. It's bad enough at the grocery store, but what about on roller blades! This story imagines that all the teachers live at school and what really goes on when the kids go home. A fun way to start the school year.
July 16, 2014
I thought this book was too cute. I know when I was younger, I would ALWAYS wonder what my teacher would be doing after school.Love the illustration and the beautiful colors. Very entertaining book.
July 9, 2017
I love the premise of this book, that teacher's live at school, because that is a common thought for younger students. Imagining what they are doing at school, for example the librarian telling the teachers bedtime stories is cute. I also like the idea that the child is shocked when they see the teacher in the grocery store and at the roller rink...but somehow, it just doesn't have the oomph in the surprise ending for me. Again, I think this might be a good story for younger students, but I probably won't share it with my fourth graders because the ending just doesn't give it everything it needs for me.
February 24, 2021
This book would be fun to read to K-3rd grade students. Many students at this age have a theory that their teachers live at the school and this book brings their beliefs to life. The illustrations are fun and colorful and would draw the attention of these young students. At the end of the book the students start to question if their teacher really does live at school or if they have a different life outside of the school. Definitely a fun read.
September 7, 2018
A young school boy thinks he knows all there is to know about his teacher, Mrs. Quirk. He uses his imagination on what she does once school lets out for the day. But when he sees her actually away from the school, and some of the activities that she participates in, he has a whole new outlook on her, and her secret life.
March 12, 2019
Super cute, funny picture book about a student who is catching on to his teacher's secret life. Would bring up fun discussions. Would use for storytime, but kids would have to be old enough to know about teachers. 4-5+
November 26, 2018
Good picture book to open up a personal narrative writing activity. You can relate the teacher's life outside of school to the students' lives. What would they share about themselves?
December 23, 2018
Good for teaching inferencing
May 2, 2019
One of my favorites... definitely have students who believed teachers lived at school!
October 17, 2019
Fun read and students love it!
November 8, 2019
This was totally adorable! Being a teacher, I know many kids who think like this. The illustrations are lovely too.
August 20, 2025
It was pretty funny I recommend this book!
December 11, 2013
This book answers the question that every little kid has, "what does the teacher do when she or he is not teaching us?" This witty and wonderful book answers that question in a brilliant and whimsical way. The answer is perfect because it is an answer that a child would give you. It talks about how the teacher still lives at school and what they do when the students are not there. When I was reading this with my reading buddy, I would ask her questions such as, what do you think your teacher does after school? An activity asking a question like that would be a great to get children to think more creatively as well as use critical thinking skills in order to try and figure out what not only a teacher does after she is done teaching them, but people in other professions as well such as doctors, lunch ladies, firemen, etc. Over all I found this book completely splendid and will put this on my own shelf.
I would recommend this book for grades 1st grade through 5th.
I would recommend this book for grades 1st grade through 5th.
October 1, 2013
We recently read What Do Teachers Do (After You Leave School)? by Anne Bowen and we discovered a similar book at our local library. I thought this story was very similar, although it focuses on just one teacher and the narrative doesn't rhyme.
The story is humorous and our girls laughed at the idea of a teacher living and sleeping in her classroom. The names for all of the staff at the school match the job or personality and we had a chuckle at the word play. The gouache, watercolor and pastel illustrations are colorful, but a bit too childish for my taste. We enjoyed reading this book together.
The story is humorous and our girls laughed at the idea of a teacher living and sleeping in her classroom. The names for all of the staff at the school match the job or personality and we had a chuckle at the word play. The gouache, watercolor and pastel illustrations are colorful, but a bit too childish for my taste. We enjoyed reading this book together.
January 28, 2015
3.75 Stars This books is from a perspective of a student...and the artwork is clearly suppose to look like a child did it.
What makes me laugh is that this boys thinks teachers live at the school. They have food in the Cafeteria, inflatable beds and pjs under their desk...etc etc...but this boys sees his teacher outside of school...with some kids that look like her but are younger and a MAN with his arm around her...AND She doesn't seem to mind....MRS QUIRK has a secret life away from school! AHHH!
What makes me laugh is that this boys thinks teachers live at the school. They have food in the Cafeteria, inflatable beds and pjs under their desk...etc etc...but this boys sees his teacher outside of school...with some kids that look like her but are younger and a MAN with his arm around her...AND She doesn't seem to mind....MRS QUIRK has a secret life away from school! AHHH!
March 2, 2013
My Teacher's Secret Life is so funny! This book would just be good to use as an introduction of yourself to the class. A lot of students really think that teachers don't have a life outside of their job. This could also be used to teach perspective.
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December 6, 2014This is a fun story about a boy who thinks his teacher lives at school and doesn't have another life. This book would be good to use in the classroom at the beginning of the year for teachers introductions of themselves to their students to show that teachers are people too!
May 26, 2015
I had a few extra minutes with my fifth grade students, and so I picked up this book and read it aloud to them. We all thought it was cute and funny. It kicked off a great discussion of all the ways they could relate to this book.
November 23, 2016
Stephen Kerensky writes a funny tale full of adjectives and descriptive language. Many students have no idea what their teachers do when they are not teaching. This book explores that concept in an engaging way. I recommend this book as a creative writing tool for many elementary grades.
November 17, 2010
* Fiction
* Good for independent reading or class library
* Funny story about what teachers do when students aren’t around
* Good for independent reading or class library
* Funny story about what teachers do when students aren’t around
November 23, 2011
Such a cute story that children would LOVE! Many students think their teachers LIVE at school! Would be a great fun read during the first week of school with your students.
November 27, 2011
I would definitely use this book as a read aloud to help students see that teachers actually have a life outside of school!
March 7, 2012
After observing her teacher at the supermarket, at the mall, and even in a park, a young child begins to think that the teacher has a secret life.
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December 1, 20171. n/a
2. First Grade
3. This book is about a teacher named Mrs.Quirk. She is spotted at the grocery store and at the mall. The children don'd believe this because teachers live at school!
4. This is a silly book about teachers lives outside of school. Children's imaginations run wild trying to explain her life when school ends. This book is a great way for children to be creative.
5. a. The class discusses what they do when they get out of school.
b. The class will make their own story about the students' "secret life", which can be how they live on the bus.
2. First Grade
3. This book is about a teacher named Mrs.Quirk. She is spotted at the grocery store and at the mall. The children don'd believe this because teachers live at school!
4. This is a silly book about teachers lives outside of school. Children's imaginations run wild trying to explain her life when school ends. This book is a great way for children to be creative.
5. a. The class discusses what they do when they get out of school.
b. The class will make their own story about the students' "secret life", which can be how they live on the bus.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews