Becoming the Teacher I Needed: Lessons in Radical Kindness and Resilience

by Jere Chang

Rediscover your passion for teaching and build the resilience to thrive in today's challenging classroom Becoming the Teacher I Needed by Jere Chang (known as “Ms. Chang”) offers a candid roadmap for educators struggling with burnout, disillusionment, and the mounting pressures of modern teaching. Drawing from her two decades in both general and gifted education classrooms, along with her childhood challenges in the classroom and experience as a social media sensation with over 4 million followers, Ms. Chang provides authentic insights into the realities teachers face daily. This isn't just another motivational book – it's a practical guide that acknowledges common teaching challenges while empowering educators to rediscover their purpose, prioritize their well-being, and continue making a meaningful impact on students' lives. Ms. Chang honestly addresses the systemic issues and daily struggles that leave so many teachers feeling overwhelmed and undervalued, from behavioral challenges to unsustainable workloads. Rather than dwelling on problems, however, she offers actionable strategies for building resilience, maintaining work-life balance, and reconnecting with the profound reasons you became a teacher in the first place. The book culminates in a comprehensive framework that helps educators thrive in their calling.
Authentic perspective from the trenches: Written by an active classroom teacher who has navigated over 20 years of real-world challenges, not theoretical advice from someone who's never encountered today's students or classrooms Proven strategies for avoiding burnout: Practical techniques for self-care, boundary-setting, and sustainable teaching practices that protect your mental health while maximizing your impact Relationship-building expertise: Methods for creating meaningful connections with students that enhance learning outcomes and make teaching more rewarding Resilience-building framework: A systematic approach to developing the mental toughness needed to navigate educational bureaucracy, difficult parents, and challenging student behaviors Community-tested wisdom: Insights refined through engagement with millions of educators across Chang's social media platforms resulting in relevant, effective advice This essential resource speaks directly to K-12 teachers who entered the profession with hope and passion but now find themselves questioning their career choice due to mounting pressures and systemic challenges. It will also prove invaluable to teacher leaders, administrators, and education advocates hoping to understand and address teacher retention issues. Whether you're a new teacher feeling overwhelmed, a veteran educator considering leaving the profession, or a school leader working to support your staff, Becoming the Teacher I Needed provides inspiration, validation, and practical tools that will reignite your love for teaching and build a sustainable, fulfilling career in education.

Genres: Teaching, Nonfiction, Education

208 pages, Hardcover

Published May 19, 2026

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was full of nuggets of wisdom that I NEEDED to hear right now. Thank you, Ms. Chang, for hearing all the worries that have been rattling around in my head and answering them so clearly and encouragingly.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely phenomenal!

As a teacher, this book literally saved me. I was in a funk about this school year (as a Title 1 teacher who still in October doesn't have reading groups yet and was frustrated and feeling burned out by a long commute).

This book reminded me of the reasons why I love what I do. It reminds me of despite all of the bad, the good part is the light at the end of the tunnel - the students.

I loved Jere's words of wisdom and advice, so much so that I want to buy a copy and highlight it (I read a library copy).

This is honestly a book that EVERYONE should read. Educators and non-educators alike. Different perspectives but shows exactly what we go through as teachers trying to make the world a better place for the future generations.

100% 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Laurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read. It was a great way to end a tough school year. I. Love this profession and the people in it. Lots of good reminders and food for thought for the summer.

[Ashley Isom · Rating 4 out of 5]

great inspirational teacher read

Loved this easy read from one of my favorite teacher TikTok’ers. It was a nice refreshing read that wasn’t all about data and actually felt more like a conversation with Jere.

[Kassidy]

Ms. Chang is the inspiration I never knew I needed. When her videos started popping up shortly before I graduated from high school, I yearned for a teacher like her. I wanted someone to embrace who I was and how I thought. Reading her book makes me realize just how much I could have benefitted from her as a teacher. She inspires me to not only keep going in the gifted education field, but also embrace my own giftedness. Thank the heavens for teachers like Ms. Chang.
Even though this book is 100% deserving of a 5-star, the rating won’t be enough to capture the wonder that lives within Becoming the Teacher I Needed. It’s a must-read for every educational professional.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Compelling backstory of her childhood as a queer, disabled student who experienced bullying and for the most part hated school who became an adult determined to help all kids find a supportive environment there.

Tailed off for me in second (longer) half of the book, consisting of some charming anecdotes about the kids she teaches but mostly very predictable advice for other teachers and philosophizing about education. Presents it a bit as contrarian, and maybe it's just me (I work in education, albeit not K-12), but with the exception of an E.D. Hirsch-influenced "content every second grader must know about how great America has always been" type, everybody in the field would agree with this author. Project-based learning is on trend, social emotional learning important, foster creativity and teach the whole child, test scores are overemphasized--check, check, check.

Good self-summary on p. 123: "When test scores become the only thing schools focus on, we start to lose the soul of education, because let's be real, learning isn't just about numbers on a spreadsheet. It's about curiosity, creativity, connection, and growth......Kids are more than their scores, and teaching is more than hitting a benchmark."

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very short to the point Book. It is great for any parent teacher anyone. To learn about their child, their classroom and learn how to make those connections that we need more and more in the world. Learning that we as educators and his parents need to listen to the students and the children that we are around watching how we our selves control our ourselves and how it is interpreted with the children. These are the world that we have in the future. Teaching the children to make connections with other’s and develop their creativity and their imagination is outstanding.Jere has done an amazing job and opening up herself and letting everybody into her past along with giving some wonderful strategies to how we can start making connections. This is something we all need to start learning about taking the phones out of our face and making the true connections with each other. i’m so proud to say that the connections that she made in this Book is the reason why we all have that favorite teacher. It is the reason why I’ve been able to reconnect with the teachers that have made my education and my teaching career possible. This is definitely a must read for all.

[Emily Grizzell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was exactly what I needed to read before the school year starts. Jere does an amazing job at laying out practical tips and bits of encouragement for teachers. It’s realistic and comes from someone deep in the trenches of teaching who is okay with saying she’s not perfect, but that it’s OKAY to not be perfect. Sometimes the best thing we can do for ourselves is say no, or let the small imperfections in our lessons roll off our backs. Because the real magic that happens in teaching isn’t from the posted “I can” statement, or the colorful anchor chart, it’s the connections we make with our students every day. It’s making sure they feel seen and heard, while also making sure to do the same for yourself. I recommend this to any teacher that’s starting to feel that burnout. It completely flips the narrative and brings back some of that spark

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a teacher and really enjoyed this book. Ms. Chang is a blessing to all the kids she has teached. She is highly educated and full of good ideas. I wish I knew someone graduating college with a teaching degree this would be the perfect gift! I had a terrible time In school, to think if I had a teacher like Ms. Chang, I could of survived my school years. She has passion and dedication. She's molding great kids to see it in themselves to succeed. I think everybody will find this book heartfelt and inspiring even if you're not a teacher. Keep up the great teaching Ms. Chang. I loved the book and I love following you on instagram.

[Kristin Donegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short book with tangible advice for any teacher, new or not. Like another reviewer said, it felt like a conversation with the author, and that made it feel authentic and doable. Her story is riveting, but her advice is better. I would highly recommend it to any teacher who needs to, I'm really sorry,... remember their why. Or to see if there's no longer a spark left and to figure out they need to prioritize themselves.

[Alicia Wolff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chang, an Atlanta-area Elementary Gifted Education teacher, recounts her call to education and gives educators tips for the upcoming year.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️ A solid read of good reminders to head into the school year

[Brittany Grubb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! I am not usually one to highlight things in books, but I HAD to highlight some things! It also was very helpful, even for a Toddler teacher like me!