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It Won't Be Easy: An Exceedingly Honest (and Slightly Unprofessional) Love Letter to Teaching
Tom Rademacher wishes someone had handed him this sort of book along with his teaching a clear-eyed, frank, boots-on-the ground account of what he was getting into. But first he had to write it. And as 2014's Minnesota Teacher of the Year, Rademacher knows what he's talking about. Less a how-to manual than a tribute to an impossible and impossibly rewarding profession, It Won't Be Easy captures the experience of teaching in all its messy glory.
The book follows a year of teaching, with each chapter tackling a different aspect of the job. Pulling no punches (and resisting no punch lines), he writes about establishing yourself in a new building; teaching meaningful classes, keeping students a priority; investigating how race, gender, and identity affect your work; and why it's a good idea to keep an extra pair of pants at school. Along the way he answers the inevitable and the unanticipated questions, from what to do with Google to how to tell if you're really a terrible teacher, to why "Keep your head down" might well be the worst advice for a new teacher.
Though directed at prospective and newer teachers, It Won't Be Easy is mercifully short on jargon and long on practical wisdom, accessible to anyone--teacher, student, parent, pundit--who is interested in a behind-the-curtain look at teaching and willing to understand that, while there are no simple answers, there is power in learning to ask the right questions.
The book follows a year of teaching, with each chapter tackling a different aspect of the job. Pulling no punches (and resisting no punch lines), he writes about establishing yourself in a new building; teaching meaningful classes, keeping students a priority; investigating how race, gender, and identity affect your work; and why it's a good idea to keep an extra pair of pants at school. Along the way he answers the inevitable and the unanticipated questions, from what to do with Google to how to tell if you're really a terrible teacher, to why "Keep your head down" might well be the worst advice for a new teacher.
Though directed at prospective and newer teachers, It Won't Be Easy is mercifully short on jargon and long on practical wisdom, accessible to anyone--teacher, student, parent, pundit--who is interested in a behind-the-curtain look at teaching and willing to understand that, while there are no simple answers, there is power in learning to ask the right questions.
176 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 25, 2017
101 people are currently reading
1848 people want to read
About the author
Tom Rademacher
21 books13 followersMy Story
I started teaching in 2006 at an Arts and Racial Integration magnet school near Minneapolis, MN as an 8th grade Language Arts teacher. Having grown up in Wisconsin, primarily in a suburb of Milwaukee, I entered the classroom largely ignorant of the ways that Race and Culture can impact every student's educational journey.
Thankfully, I had students who insisted I learn what it meant to be a white guy at the front of the room, do my best to empathize with the kids in front of me, and never stop working to be better.
Over the years of my career, I've taught middle and high school, coached middle and elementary school teachers, and been a member of many different leadership groups within my schools and districts.
In 2014, I was named Minnesota's Teacher of the Year. I spent my year speaking and writing about anti-racist education and supporting newer educators.
A few years ago, I released my first book, It Won't Be Easy, an Exceedingly Honest (and slightly unprofessional) Love Letter to Teaching. The book was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award, and is being used in many college and high school classes for pre-service teachers.
I am still a full time teacher, still teaching 8th Grade Language Arts, still counting on my students every day to hold me accountable to do the best possible work I can for them.
I started teaching in 2006 at an Arts and Racial Integration magnet school near Minneapolis, MN as an 8th grade Language Arts teacher. Having grown up in Wisconsin, primarily in a suburb of Milwaukee, I entered the classroom largely ignorant of the ways that Race and Culture can impact every student's educational journey.
Thankfully, I had students who insisted I learn what it meant to be a white guy at the front of the room, do my best to empathize with the kids in front of me, and never stop working to be better.
Over the years of my career, I've taught middle and high school, coached middle and elementary school teachers, and been a member of many different leadership groups within my schools and districts.
In 2014, I was named Minnesota's Teacher of the Year. I spent my year speaking and writing about anti-racist education and supporting newer educators.
A few years ago, I released my first book, It Won't Be Easy, an Exceedingly Honest (and slightly unprofessional) Love Letter to Teaching. The book was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award, and is being used in many college and high school classes for pre-service teachers.
I am still a full time teacher, still teaching 8th Grade Language Arts, still counting on my students every day to hold me accountable to do the best possible work I can for them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 191 reviews
January 4, 2017
This is a difficult review to write. The author, an award winning teacher, has penned an interesting book (part memoir, part instruction manual, part rant) about his thoughts and experiences in teaching. Part of me deeply admires Rademacher, for the obvious care he takes in his students. Part of me struggles with his constant demeaning of other teachers and the educational system as a whole. Part of me is very puzzled at his understanding of "white privilege" and "micro-aggressions", (perhaps because, the way I interpret his mindset, I will never be a good teacher because of the very fact that I am a white male myself). And part of me wants to sit down with him, over a beer, and discuss this all with him.
There is a lot to make you think in this book. For example, he states "Education is important, the ability to think in complex ways, to understand the people and the world around you, the ability to find, filter, and synthesize information is important. School is not." And, "We are applying our own standards of success, or what sorts of jobs or lives are acceptable or desirable, to the kids we have instead of listening to what they really want". My question is: what kid, in his early teens, really "knows" what he wants? Isn't it our job to show them possibilities that they might not have imagined on their own, or to give them the direction they need to find those possibilities on their own? Not to just accept their statement, that at the age of 15, they want to be a world famous rap star, sports star, movie star? It leans towards enabling and "special snowflake" status.
Just when I'm ready to give up on the author, he careens off in a different direction. With statements such as "My job, the thing I'm paid to do, is to try to make kids better at things". And "teaching makes you a better person". And I start to admire him again.
Ultimately, the author gets stuck in a quagmire of his own making. Worried about his "white privilege", he ends up with his hands tied in dealing with an extremely disruptive student. He admits, "I don't know what to do for this kid. I don't want to get into battles, because I'm scared to win them and scared to lose them. When I don't confront her most destructive behavior, it only persists, it only expands. I think I could bend and twist and beg and shift and get her to do okay in my class, but I don't think it would help her do much better in whatever class comes next". He worries about the perceived micro-aggression of saying hello to a female, worried that he might be hurting her. Its great that he is so in touch with himself, but, as students pointed out to him on other occasions, "Oh, you're in your feelings". My question is, while he's fretting over this one student who has learned how to manipulate him, what about the other 20-30 students in the classroom? Don't they deserve to have a safe and stable learning environment?
So, as you might be able to see from this review, I'm very torn on this book. Some great points and lessons, mixed in with some exasperatingly frustrating ideas and theories. I'll be interested in following further reviews to see how others see it.
I received an advance reading copy of this book from NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.
There is a lot to make you think in this book. For example, he states "Education is important, the ability to think in complex ways, to understand the people and the world around you, the ability to find, filter, and synthesize information is important. School is not." And, "We are applying our own standards of success, or what sorts of jobs or lives are acceptable or desirable, to the kids we have instead of listening to what they really want". My question is: what kid, in his early teens, really "knows" what he wants? Isn't it our job to show them possibilities that they might not have imagined on their own, or to give them the direction they need to find those possibilities on their own? Not to just accept their statement, that at the age of 15, they want to be a world famous rap star, sports star, movie star? It leans towards enabling and "special snowflake" status.
Just when I'm ready to give up on the author, he careens off in a different direction. With statements such as "My job, the thing I'm paid to do, is to try to make kids better at things". And "teaching makes you a better person". And I start to admire him again.
Ultimately, the author gets stuck in a quagmire of his own making. Worried about his "white privilege", he ends up with his hands tied in dealing with an extremely disruptive student. He admits, "I don't know what to do for this kid. I don't want to get into battles, because I'm scared to win them and scared to lose them. When I don't confront her most destructive behavior, it only persists, it only expands. I think I could bend and twist and beg and shift and get her to do okay in my class, but I don't think it would help her do much better in whatever class comes next". He worries about the perceived micro-aggression of saying hello to a female, worried that he might be hurting her. Its great that he is so in touch with himself, but, as students pointed out to him on other occasions, "Oh, you're in your feelings". My question is, while he's fretting over this one student who has learned how to manipulate him, what about the other 20-30 students in the classroom? Don't they deserve to have a safe and stable learning environment?
So, as you might be able to see from this review, I'm very torn on this book. Some great points and lessons, mixed in with some exasperatingly frustrating ideas and theories. I'll be interested in following further reviews to see how others see it.
I received an advance reading copy of this book from NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.
November 22, 2018
This is the first teaching book I've read, but I have a feeling it will remain the favourite for a long time . I loved how he was willing to point out his own screw ups (as well as others'), and the best and worst parts of teaching. I really appreciated his emphasis on anti-racism in education, and continually trying to learn and improve.
July 19, 2018
For all of my teacher peeps, this one's for YOU.
Tom Rademacher, 2014 Minnesota Teacher of the Year, has put together an unflinchingly honest look at the realities (both the joys and frustrations) of being a teacher today. I first came across this book after following Tom on Twitter. One of the things I admire about "Mr. Rad" is that he seems genuine, even through his online interactions. You get the sense that he is not one to sugarcoat things, and I think that's something I appreciate because I often find that to be a trait I haven't quite fully developed. This is not to say that I agree with EVERYTHING he argues/writes in It Won't Be Easy, but I really enjoyed this book. It has challenged my thinking throughout and has left me with a lot to consider as I enter my 10th year in the classroom in little over a month. If you're looking for an unconventional (the subtitle "An Exceedingly Honest and Slightly Unprofessional Love Letter to Teaching" is certainly apt) education read that doesn't pull any punches, It Won't Be Easy is definitely a book you should make time for.
Tom Rademacher, 2014 Minnesota Teacher of the Year, has put together an unflinchingly honest look at the realities (both the joys and frustrations) of being a teacher today. I first came across this book after following Tom on Twitter. One of the things I admire about "Mr. Rad" is that he seems genuine, even through his online interactions. You get the sense that he is not one to sugarcoat things, and I think that's something I appreciate because I often find that to be a trait I haven't quite fully developed. This is not to say that I agree with EVERYTHING he argues/writes in It Won't Be Easy, but I really enjoyed this book. It has challenged my thinking throughout and has left me with a lot to consider as I enter my 10th year in the classroom in little over a month. If you're looking for an unconventional (the subtitle "An Exceedingly Honest and Slightly Unprofessional Love Letter to Teaching" is certainly apt) education read that doesn't pull any punches, It Won't Be Easy is definitely a book you should make time for.
April 22, 2017
Neither heady theory nor overly-simplistic strategy dump, this book is perfectly humorous and critical and heartening. Rademacher articulates the tangle of teaching in a way that acknowledges what is and encourages what ought.
June 20, 2017
A good look into the real world of teaching in America. Teachers will benefit from all the practical advice and words of encouragement, but everyone else will gain valuable perspective into how messy teaching is because it is an inherently 'human' profession. If you read this and clutch your pearls at how unprofessional he is, you probably weren't actually paying attention to the point of the book: teaching is messy and unprofessional because developing children into self-actualized adults is messy and unprofessional work.
March 18, 2024
Brought that warm comfort you get when you realize that you aren't the first or the only person to go through something. I teared up during Dave Egger's intro. Ofc ofc just a single masculine tear.
At first I found it easy to read but ultimately I got a little tired of the writer's style.
Teaching's hard, man. It has so many dynamics that it's hard to ever feel like I'm doing a good job. Dynamics with the students, between the teachers, between the admin. Emotional dynamics, social dynamics, racial dynamics, educational dynamics. Data dynamics. How are you supposed to tell a kid talking about how hard it is to not have a dad that he needs to focus on his work? How do you tell a girl who's homeless and two grades behind already that she needs to be quiet or else you'll have to send her to the dean's office?
Each day is so draining. Push the boulder up up up. Then get home and enjoy my 4 hours, hoop or gym or date or lay down and turn off all the lights and stare at the ceiling so I can have no sensory input for just a few minutes. Then set the alarm, emerge from the darkness, and start pushing the boulder again.
Each day is so full. Life life everywhere. Humanity in every corner. Beauty in every corner. So many moments. The beauty in the ordinary unspectacular flow is quite frankly a survival strategy. Teaching gets overwhelming whenever I think in weeks and months. I come home sometimes and the Army doesn't sound so bad. But day by day, boulder by boulder, moment by moment, the beauty happens and all is not lost.
The book does a good job emphasizing that this isn't a unique feeling, that every teacher thinks (dreams) of quitting almost once a month, that the struggle is real, but so is the joy.
At first I found it easy to read but ultimately I got a little tired of the writer's style.
Teaching's hard, man. It has so many dynamics that it's hard to ever feel like I'm doing a good job. Dynamics with the students, between the teachers, between the admin. Emotional dynamics, social dynamics, racial dynamics, educational dynamics. Data dynamics. How are you supposed to tell a kid talking about how hard it is to not have a dad that he needs to focus on his work? How do you tell a girl who's homeless and two grades behind already that she needs to be quiet or else you'll have to send her to the dean's office?
Each day is so draining. Push the boulder up up up. Then get home and enjoy my 4 hours, hoop or gym or date or lay down and turn off all the lights and stare at the ceiling so I can have no sensory input for just a few minutes. Then set the alarm, emerge from the darkness, and start pushing the boulder again.
Each day is so full. Life life everywhere. Humanity in every corner. Beauty in every corner. So many moments. The beauty in the ordinary unspectacular flow is quite frankly a survival strategy. Teaching gets overwhelming whenever I think in weeks and months. I come home sometimes and the Army doesn't sound so bad. But day by day, boulder by boulder, moment by moment, the beauty happens and all is not lost.
The book does a good job emphasizing that this isn't a unique feeling, that every teacher thinks (dreams) of quitting almost once a month, that the struggle is real, but so is the joy.
May 6, 2023
All of my positive reviews on here are just some variation of “I cried.” But I really did!
I didn’t realize that I HAD to be a teacher until I tried to leave the classroom. This book delves into the beautiful mess that is teaching teenagers with your whole self. I couldn’t put it down.
I didn’t realize that I HAD to be a teacher until I tried to leave the classroom. This book delves into the beautiful mess that is teaching teenagers with your whole self. I couldn’t put it down.
April 29, 2018
So the whole last chapter/acknowledgements made me cry. Because teaching makes me cry (in a good way, sometimes in a bad way, but mostly a lot of times in a "it's all about the kids" good way).
I appreciated that the contents of the book held true to the book's subtitle! I liked that Tom didn't shy away from the hard stuff and the sometimes terrible stuff that we have to contend with and figure out how to address in teaching, education, the classroom. I like that there was so much about race in here. Honestly that's what got me to buy into this book from the beginning. I'm tired of popular/well known/read/watched teachers or people-who-talk-about-teaching not touching on the Real Big Important Stuff. But also bc this is a place I can say this and my possible future employers won't know it's me... let's solve some problems by hiring more teachers of color.. HIRE ME.
The chapter about interviews was really comforting. Like, I re-read the second half of it in my car before going to my latest interview in order to help calm my nerves (it worked).
I like the candid and "slightly unprofessional" tone of the whole book. Idk, I guess if you have a problem with cursing in a book about teaching maybe this isn't for you (but you should read it anyway bc it's awesome and you might learn something).
I thought there was some good, solid, useful advice in here, too. I thought all the questions in the chapter on activism/supporting students' activism was useful.
I like that no excuses were made in a way? Idk uh like I mean.. that you know, how sometimes everyone is so focused on how "you know kids can get away with anything these days" and "it's so different these days, they don't let teachers get anything done or really deal with kids" and "haha remember when we could smack kids" (I'm so sorry?? Personally I'm glad I live in california where there is no law that allows corporal punishment of kids and if you think that's wrong, maybe you shouldn't be in teaching #harshopinions like i dont even wanna joke about it!). And yes teacher well being is important, but... we do this for the kids. We need to focus on what's best for the kids, and I think that will result in things that are good for teachers (Tom says this in there, thanks, I agree w u tom).
I appreciated that the contents of the book held true to the book's subtitle! I liked that Tom didn't shy away from the hard stuff and the sometimes terrible stuff that we have to contend with and figure out how to address in teaching, education, the classroom. I like that there was so much about race in here. Honestly that's what got me to buy into this book from the beginning. I'm tired of popular/well known/read/watched teachers or people-who-talk-about-teaching not touching on the Real Big Important Stuff. But also bc this is a place I can say this and my possible future employers won't know it's me... let's solve some problems by hiring more teachers of color.. HIRE ME.
The chapter about interviews was really comforting. Like, I re-read the second half of it in my car before going to my latest interview in order to help calm my nerves (it worked).
I like the candid and "slightly unprofessional" tone of the whole book. Idk, I guess if you have a problem with cursing in a book about teaching maybe this isn't for you (but you should read it anyway bc it's awesome and you might learn something).
I thought there was some good, solid, useful advice in here, too. I thought all the questions in the chapter on activism/supporting students' activism was useful.
I like that no excuses were made in a way? Idk uh like I mean.. that you know, how sometimes everyone is so focused on how "you know kids can get away with anything these days" and "it's so different these days, they don't let teachers get anything done or really deal with kids" and "haha remember when we could smack kids" (I'm so sorry?? Personally I'm glad I live in california where there is no law that allows corporal punishment of kids and if you think that's wrong, maybe you shouldn't be in teaching #harshopinions like i dont even wanna joke about it!). And yes teacher well being is important, but... we do this for the kids. We need to focus on what's best for the kids, and I think that will result in things that are good for teachers (Tom says this in there, thanks, I agree w u tom).
January 14, 2018
Great read!
This is a memoir about teaching- the good, the bad, and the ugly! There are things said in this book that you won't believe but most teachers have felt, but the author is sincere and you always know it comes from a place of love that is evident throughout the book. Teaching is hard, but the sign of a good teacher is someone who is passionate and always questioning which this author does throughout the course of the book. There are things in this book that made me laugh out loud like calling teaching a "shitshow" and the story he told of his first job interview after an all day field trip in the mud. There were so many things I could relate to including the chapter called "I Quit" because if you are a good teacher these words probably come up quite often in your mind...and he finds the humor in these dark areas of teaching and again his love for students shines through!
This is a memoir about teaching- the good, the bad, and the ugly! There are things said in this book that you won't believe but most teachers have felt, but the author is sincere and you always know it comes from a place of love that is evident throughout the book. Teaching is hard, but the sign of a good teacher is someone who is passionate and always questioning which this author does throughout the course of the book. There are things in this book that made me laugh out loud like calling teaching a "shitshow" and the story he told of his first job interview after an all day field trip in the mud. There were so many things I could relate to including the chapter called "I Quit" because if you are a good teacher these words probably come up quite often in your mind...and he finds the humor in these dark areas of teaching and again his love for students shines through!
January 5, 2018
This is by far the best book about teaching that I have ever read. His voice is casual, honest and relatable. His advice is actually grounded in reality, which is surprisingly rare for a book about teaching. Trust me, I read a lot of them. I wish that I had had this book back in 2011 when I started teaching. He explains his own failures, past and ongoing, and how that is FINE and expected as long as you learn from those mistakes. Teaching is a messy business and he promises no short cuts or cure alls, which I appreciate. He covers all of the things that no one ever formally tells you, like the importance of bonding with your coworkers and the ins and outs of navigating extra duties and how to respect admin without necessarily following everything they say if it is not in the best interest of the kids. I so desperately want a definitive ''how to'' guide to systematically follow, and you will not find that here, as every classroom/student/year/school/you is different. It takes a lot of grit and humor and hard work to face each day with flexibility and an open mind and to embrace and learn from your failures, and this book inspired me to go back on Tuesday with a sense of rigor and chillness.
April 11, 2017
I have read many books for educators. It Won't Be Easy by Tom Rademacher is unlike them all. In some circle Rademacher might be considered a radical. I like radicals. He tackles issues in education head on, exploring how race and gender add complexity to our lives in the classroom. While I might not agree with EVERYTHING he says here, I agree with much of it. It also made me ready to go back to my classroom and do better. I have seen a review which takes issue with Rademacher pointing out flaws in other teachers. That is not an issue for me. The reality is that there are some individuals in classrooms who perhaps are better suited to other professions. In addition, he spends a great deal of his book exploring his own failures. Rademacher is pointing out that it's ok to make mistakes. It is even better to recognize them, own up to them, and then do better in the future. And this book will make you laugh out loud. How many education books can you say that about?
July 12, 2018
This book is unlike any other education book I've read -- it's memoir and advice and true introspection. It's painfully honest and made me think deeply about where I am at in my career and how I want to teach moving forward. I love that it is less about "fixing" our broken system and more about digging into ourselves and figuring out how we can be the best we can be for our students.
July 2, 2024
This book was a timely read. The author reminded me that the most important part of teaching is the students. The curriculum and other tasks should come second to the needs of students.
This is a high school teacher which means his problems in teaching are much different from my grade 2 world. He had great reminders about being intentional about teaching a multicultural classroom though.
I appreciate that he didn’t sugar coat the difficulties of teaching. He didn’t make it seem like he was perfect. He just reminded me that hard is still worth it. In the end, it felt like sitting with an experienced teacher and asking, what’s it like to be a teacher? Then, the person rambles on for 6 hours.
This is a high school teacher which means his problems in teaching are much different from my grade 2 world. He had great reminders about being intentional about teaching a multicultural classroom though.
I appreciate that he didn’t sugar coat the difficulties of teaching. He didn’t make it seem like he was perfect. He just reminded me that hard is still worth it. In the end, it felt like sitting with an experienced teacher and asking, what’s it like to be a teacher? Then, the person rambles on for 6 hours.
October 23, 2017
This will definitely a book that I continue to return to throughout my teaching career. Although I don't agree with all of Rademacher's ideas, he did an amazing job putting my own thoughts about the beautiful and challenging world of education into actual words. I have tons of quotes underlined in this book and I can't wait to share it with a few of my colleagues.
I loved the reminders that we do this for students. We do this because we choose to do it. We do it for the kids. I hope that is something we as teachers will never forget. We work in an environment that is filled with humans. And we are all so incredibly different. Teaching is hard. It's messy and it's insane and it's not always fair, but we show up day after day to help make it better. That's what it's all about and that is what makes it worth it.
I loved the reminders that we do this for students. We do this because we choose to do it. We do it for the kids. I hope that is something we as teachers will never forget. We work in an environment that is filled with humans. And we are all so incredibly different. Teaching is hard. It's messy and it's insane and it's not always fair, but we show up day after day to help make it better. That's what it's all about and that is what makes it worth it.
July 30, 2018
This is the best book about teaching that I’ve ever read. Not that I have an exhaustive knowledge about teacher-books, but still. The author articulates to a tee the philosophy that is at the core of my educational philosophy- the radical idea that students are people and that good teaching requires constant remembering that the humans in your class are equally human as yourself, with equally important thoughts and feelings that need to be respected and cultivated. Love this book. If you’re a teacher, want to be a teacher, want to stop being a teacher, or know a teacher you should probably read this book.
August 6, 2021
Read #5 Aug 2021:
I don’t have anything new to say about this, except that it’s had as much influence on my work as pretty much any other written thing.
Read #4 July 2020:
Sure enough, here I am 4 years later, somehow drawn again to this book during the time when I’m working the most closely with kids and simultaneously feeling like I’m doing the worst at it. I mean, we’re in a pandemic, for crying out loud. And I’m trying to take some wobbly baby steps on the path of inclusion and anti racism through a Zoom program that I make up from scratch the day before it’s scheduled. This book is here to remind me that the mess is so worthwhile, as long as I devote my utmost care and attention to these kids.
Read # 3 June 2019: When I first read this two years ago, all I thought about was how badly I was doing, how much more I had to learn in order to connect with my kids and be effective as someone who teaches informally. I still have work to do, especially in antiracism and equity, but now with a couple years’ worth of student relationships in my career, I feel like I’m making progress toward the kind of teacher/librarian I want to be, the kind that Tom Rademacher lays out in this book. This book will continue to ground me, to bring me back to the things that matter about working with kids.
Read # 2 May 2018: I have a feeling I will be reading this cover to cover on at least a yearly basis from now on. At a time when I desperately needed a break before summer, and needed the inspiration and energy to show up for my library kids and my soon-to-be library kids, this book was there for me.
Read # 1 August 2017: I will be buying this book and keeping a copy at my desk, to turn to when I need a kick in the pants to be a better advocate for my library kids, a less controlling prick who gives them far less opportunity than they can use, or a racist white guy who lacks empathy and awareness of what kids of color feel when the come to the library. I'll also turn to this book during brutal days when I'm stuck in bureaucratic nonsense or struggling to connect. I'll also turn to it when I feel like I have the best job in the world and my library kids have proven it with their creativity and passion. Worth a read for anyone who works with kids.
I don’t have anything new to say about this, except that it’s had as much influence on my work as pretty much any other written thing.
Read #4 July 2020:
Sure enough, here I am 4 years later, somehow drawn again to this book during the time when I’m working the most closely with kids and simultaneously feeling like I’m doing the worst at it. I mean, we’re in a pandemic, for crying out loud. And I’m trying to take some wobbly baby steps on the path of inclusion and anti racism through a Zoom program that I make up from scratch the day before it’s scheduled. This book is here to remind me that the mess is so worthwhile, as long as I devote my utmost care and attention to these kids.
Read # 3 June 2019: When I first read this two years ago, all I thought about was how badly I was doing, how much more I had to learn in order to connect with my kids and be effective as someone who teaches informally. I still have work to do, especially in antiracism and equity, but now with a couple years’ worth of student relationships in my career, I feel like I’m making progress toward the kind of teacher/librarian I want to be, the kind that Tom Rademacher lays out in this book. This book will continue to ground me, to bring me back to the things that matter about working with kids.
Read # 2 May 2018: I have a feeling I will be reading this cover to cover on at least a yearly basis from now on. At a time when I desperately needed a break before summer, and needed the inspiration and energy to show up for my library kids and my soon-to-be library kids, this book was there for me.
Read # 1 August 2017: I will be buying this book and keeping a copy at my desk, to turn to when I need a kick in the pants to be a better advocate for my library kids, a less controlling prick who gives them far less opportunity than they can use, or a racist white guy who lacks empathy and awareness of what kids of color feel when the come to the library. I'll also turn to this book during brutal days when I'm stuck in bureaucratic nonsense or struggling to connect. I'll also turn to it when I feel like I have the best job in the world and my library kids have proven it with their creativity and passion. Worth a read for anyone who works with kids.
September 10, 2017
whew. good lord. hits the spot, don't it?
May 5, 2017
Disclosure: I know Tom. I supervised his student teaching, and then researched his classroom later on. Still, believe me when I say that current and future teachers will get so much out of this book. His voice is funny and true. He reminds us what the heart of this profession is, always: the students. He also provides other important insights and guidance, like how to get along with the other adults in education. Perhaps my favorite part of the book is how Tom shows many of the things wrong with school, the ways it fails kids and the ways it is unfair and the ways it needs to be changed. And at the same time he shows how you might make peace as a teacher in such a system: working to change it, of course, in solidarity with students, and reflecting constantly, and taking care of yourself. I recommend the book highly.
June 26, 2018
So, I’ve taught for three years. It isn’t long, but in many ways, is an eternity. I’ve read countless educational books, thinking many of them wise, and yet lacking a measure of “realness.” This book discusses education as it should be discussed, as student-centered and very (VERY) human. It amazes me that the author (I say the author because his last name is hard and I don’t want to look it up (laziness) is able to address each and every concern I have. In my own teaching, in where I teach, how I teach, and still focus everything around the (often forgotten) idea that teaching about the students. I cannot praise this book enough. It is one I will be giving to many aspiring teachers, new teachers, or old teachers (if we weren’t aware, books make the best gifts). Please, put down whatever teacher-book you are reading and buy this one. You will not regret it.
July 26, 2021
This book helped me think more reflectively and critically about my teaching than my Masters in Education program has so far (might be more reflective on my M.Ed program...). A fun, quick read about real life as a teacher. I plan to reread later in my teaching career
November 22, 2021
I needed this book right now. “Good teachers who can work in difficult schools have no business teaching anywhere else, because those schools need the best teachers.” This, among many lines, helped my mindset about teaching right now. Thank you.
There are countless student stories I don’t tell myself enough. I had a student who I practiced patience with over and over again who didn’t do any work and pretended he couldn’t read. At the end of the year, he wrote a letter saying thank you for always believing in and teaching. I have students who didn’t want to do a lick of work, who I encouraged everyday and laughed at their jokes. They might not have done English, but they didn’t drop out either. I had a student who had so much trauma, chose to tell me about it, and who I got to sit with and cry with. I have countless students who I am filled with joy over. I have a student who reads for fun now bc of my class. I have students who’ve written me beautiful letters. I need to read those today. Even if I do leave teaching, I cannot forget this.
Teaching is a sh*tty job, but a remarkable profession. I cannot forget.
There are countless student stories I don’t tell myself enough. I had a student who I practiced patience with over and over again who didn’t do any work and pretended he couldn’t read. At the end of the year, he wrote a letter saying thank you for always believing in and teaching. I have students who didn’t want to do a lick of work, who I encouraged everyday and laughed at their jokes. They might not have done English, but they didn’t drop out either. I had a student who had so much trauma, chose to tell me about it, and who I got to sit with and cry with. I have countless students who I am filled with joy over. I have a student who reads for fun now bc of my class. I have students who’ve written me beautiful letters. I need to read those today. Even if I do leave teaching, I cannot forget this.
Teaching is a sh*tty job, but a remarkable profession. I cannot forget.
September 25, 2018
This book is exactly as claims - exceedingly honest and slightly unprofessional. I was on the fence for a while about this book - the language seemed unnecessary, unprofessional, yet true and the honesty was just too honest at times. Once I got to Spring though (the book is organized by seasons), I saw the exceedingly honest and slightly unprofessional narrative as a plus. Some of Rademacher's confessions gave me the courage to be transparent in my advisement class this week while we were talking about making mistakes which in turn gave my students courage to share. The bottom line - teaching is hard, and if you need a book that makes you laugh and cry and you don't mind the truth (not the perceived truth about teaching) and an unprofessional approach, you'll enjoy this book.
January 1, 2024
A good quick book to start off the year (quick, but definitely a heavy read, even with the lighthearted and humorous writing style). The author is so refreshingly real and truthful about his experiences as a classroom teacher and it is affirming to see something like that in print. So many teaching books are high and mighty and focused on advice being gifted from the wise. This book strays from that narrative and is instead heartbreakingly honest; merely a glimpse into one teacher’s life and his ideas. Instead of telling others what to do, he allows us to explore the circumstances of our own classrooms through his stories; considering white privilege, oppression, social justice, and empathy and how they affect our roles as educators and the impact we have on our students. At times the writing is a bit repetitive and dry and it’s a little tough to relate to as an elementary educator, but the root is still the same: it’s all about our students.
4/5 ⭐️
4/5 ⭐️
August 14, 2019
Love how frank and honest the author is. It’s so affirming to have a person talk in detail about the mistakes they’ve made. We don’t talk about our mistakes enough, probably because we are just trying to survive. We often let the “good enough” be our bar, and are likely embarrassed to admit that it’s not even close to what many students need. This was a great read, and I snorted out loud constantly and shared anecdotes regularly. Sometimes an inspiring workshop or book or person makes me feel dead in the water - defeated before I even start to try something new. This was not like that. This was inspiring, encouraging, accessible and realistic. Thank you for this great book. I will enjoy gifting this to other educators.
November 14, 2021
GLORIOUS book that had me laughing, tearing up, cheering, and truly learning from the brilliant mind of Tom Rademacher. This book is about the things we can do as teachers to prevent prejudice and racism from happening in our very own classrooms. The first and most important thing we can do? Simply be aware that the school system promotes it. I enjoyed reading this book and suggest that any person going into education, or already in education should read this book and annotate it to your hearts content. Thanks Tom!
August 27, 2022
A great book for new highschool teachers, with some stuff applicable for middle grades as well. While the writing gets too corny for its own food at times, it is obvious Rademacher is an incredibly passionate and enthusiastic educator who truly wants to shake up current systems in the United States.
September 8, 2022
I may not agree with everything Rademacher believes, but his hilarious, often sarcastic, sometimes cynical, thoughts and experiences with teaching painted such a raw and real picture of the profession. He truly knew how to BE WITH his students, to know them and value them and cheer them on, because they are so worth it.
August 5, 2018
Maybe a little too sarcastic for some, but it is nice to see a flawed but dedicated teacher be so completely honest and open about his own hopes, insecurities, screw ups, disappointments, and goals.
"I'm so tired and so full of energy. I am frustrated and inspired."
"I'm so tired and so full of energy. I am frustrated and inspired."
December 16, 2019
First book I’ve read ABOUT being a teacher that is not just all theory and strategy and super self-congratulatory academia. Wow. I like how it’s organized and separated. Some chapters really spoke to me and some really didn’t. The quality of writing for me varied.
July 8, 2022
If I could give this book a 10/5 I would. As a Preservice teacher, and a support staff of diverse learners for 5 years, this is what I needed. I was getting so tired of hearing about curriculum, reading, typical learners and linear learning. My hard questions in university were often answered by professors and peers by saying, things are changing, we won’t be like that, we won’t make mistakes, don’t rock the boat until you’re established, infuriated me. I cried in laughter, sadness and frustration in this book. I’ve been questioning if I can truly go into the public system as a teacher with everyone pretending that things aren’t are messed up as they are. Truly the shit show. I found comfort in the words and the shit displayed in this memoir. The empathy and drive to help the next generation is something I can continue to get behind.
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