Get Up or Give Up: How I Almost Gave Up on Teaching

by Michael Bonner

As seen on The Ellen DeGeneres Show! Michael Bonner knew he wanted to be a teacher after his favorite college professor, Dr. Poulson, inspired him. The professor’s passion and love for teaching prompted Michael to change his major and his life’s direction. But nothing prepared Michael for the reality of a Title One school. Teaching is fun until a 7-year-old is assaulting you or you’re dodging furniture being thrown at you. When you mix the craziness of a classroom with a marriage that was about to implode, anyone might want to quit. Smiling on the outside while feeling dead on the inside took this dedicated teacher to the breaking point. Michael knew he must change what was inside him, in his approach to life, or nothing would change anywhere else. So Michael took matters into his own hands to make four key paradigm shifts that helped him create a world of successful learning for his students and love within both the classroom and beyond. The result has been a transformation that’s taken Michael far beyond the classroom as he inspires thousands across the country. Many agree teaching is an amazing profession but there’s little discussion why so many teachers are leaving the profession. Get Up or Give How I Almost Gave Up on Teaching shines a light into the internal battles and decisions educators face daily, and how we must make a conscious decision either to give in—or push through.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction, Memoir, Professional Development

129 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 3, 2017

Reviews

[Nursebookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story that is truly inspirational. Don’t miss this book!!

[Lauren NN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Realized while reading the Foreword that I would finish this book on the same day starting it. A powerful and empowering read-reminding adults in education of the awesome privilege and responsibility we have when choosing to work with children. Readers should easily finish this book; inspired to keep expectations high for oneself and to believe in the futures of each and every unique life in their classroom!

[Nicole Geary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book in one sitting. I was lucky enough to meet Michael Bonner last week and hear him speak. He is incredibly inspirational!!! This book was all that I wanted it to be. It had real life examples of teaching, ways to overcome struggles, and motivation to keep your why in mind!! Thanks Michael Bonner!!!

[Rob O'Flaherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring and a necessary reinvigoration of why teaching and the role of the teacher is so important.

[Adrienne R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short quick read. This guy grew up about 2 hours north of where we live in NC. He faves some challenges and doesn’t forget them as he lesson plans for his students. We need more teachers like him - being innovative and truly enjoy their job 😊

[Erin Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been an excruciating year in education for so many. I am one of the many and was seeking some encouragement. I appreciate that the author taught in a similar school environment and isn’t ignorant to the struggles we face there. He does a good job of keeping it real and providing some reminders of a teacher’s original “why”.
I still struggle with teachers telling other teachers that make an impact you have to work every free moment of your life, which I do think this hinted at. Which is why I gave it a 4 instead of 5 star rating. I would rather the author encourage teachers to fight for systematic change so we do not have to work 80 hours a week to make a difference.

[Red Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael tells his thoughts on how to reach students if you are a teacher and mixes in a few stories that underline his message.
I borrowed this book from my grandson who received the book through his teacher from Michael. I am sure my grandson will have to look up quite a few of the words, but I am hoping he can grasp Michaels story because I can see this message working in all of our lives if given the chance! We all have interactions with young people, even if they are our kids and grandkids. I believe using this information can help us to reach our kids no matter their age.

Thanks, Michael, for your reaching out to my grandson, and being an individual that doesn’t look at the way things are and says, “good enough,” but looks at things and says “How can I/we do better?”

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started following Michael on social media after he appeared on the ED show. Even though I’m not a teacher, I wanted to support his book. His story is inspiring and not because he had a tough childhood, or didn’t go to college. His story is inspiring because in 2017 we need teachers like him. I thank every single one of you for being a role model to all the kids in schools.

[Thomas Jenkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing and inspiring! A must read for any teacher or lover of education! Bonners passion is evident throughout this book. I read it in one sitting as I just could not put it down! Will be sure to read again to get through tough teaching times when inspiration is being seemed.

[Jgramley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for any educators just starting out in the field or veteran teachers like me who needed a refresher course. It is not easy being a teacher, but Michael Bonner lays out simple ways and ideas that can be incredibly impactful!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational Book

I bought this book after hearing Michael speak at the ISTE conference. I was not able to put it down! It gave me hope as an educator and helped to continue to ignite my passion.

[Jessica Pritiken · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super quick read. He shared some good insights as a kid growing up in a small town, low income, largely black neighborhood and how that impacted him as a teacher. He shared some great resources and an overall desire to better the education system and how to start.

[Jeanine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book! I strongly encourage all teachers to read it. Michael Bonner was a keynote speaker at our summer professional development. He is a phenomenal speaker!
His kids are so blessed that he teaches and cheers them on in life.

[Bayleigh Saulmon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is what I needed to read before the start of the school year. I appreciated reading his journey and the exploration of passion and how its individual manifestation in each teacher is essential. Simple, short, and inspirational. Less theoretical and more personal.

[Jeff Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing separates this book from the countless other books to inspire teachers. Good stories, a bit preachy, but meaningful intentions to motivate teachers. I liked his 4 components to be a good teacher: passion, innovation, relationships, data.

[Seth Roy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An uplifting read about teaching from a relentlessly positive person. Mr. Bonner is an engaging speaker. The book is slightly less engaging, but still filled with positive thoughts to keep in mind while teaching the next generation.

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply written but inspirational story and strategies for anyone in a diverse classroom setting.

[Leslie Karlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw Michael speak in person, and it was amazing! I was such a fan I decided to buy his book. He is much better in person. I love his story but the book doesn’t do it justice.

[Allison Sirovy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful to read right now as I was feeling burned out.

[Lexie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will be one of those books I will reread to remind me why I started teaching, and remind me that it’s okay to keep inventing! 💖

[Marinel DeBerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

As an educator for over a decade, I was able to relate and see all Mr. Bonner speaks upon in his book. I learned some new things and for me, that is always a plus.

[Kara Davis Eckhardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminds you why you teach; or for a non-educator, what challenges there are facing teachers today!

[Chuck Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a struggling teacher right now, this book is for you. You can keep going. You have the choice - you can give up, or you can get up.

[Kinsleigh Vranish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books! Having met Mike in 2018, everything on these pages only makes him cooler!

[Jennifer Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Passion, data, relationships & innovation are the 4 pillars in his classroom culture that have proved successful

[Amber Weintraub · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in one sitting!
Bonner offers a fresh take on a combination of old and new ideas formatted in a clear, precise way. I appreciated his candor, his practicality, and his brevity. I took many notes throughout and immediately after reading I was inspired to update a specific aspect of my teaching I've been wary and unfocused around in regards to his four pillars of education philosophy.
Great teacher, great human, great story, VERY worthwhile read.

[Kendra McIntyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently attended a classroom training and was happy to receive Bonner's book. His experience was good to read about, and I was encouraged that he wanted to become a teacher because of his own experience growing up in a rural community. I am looking forward to a good school year with my class and am inspired by Bonner's experience.

[Susanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect read I needed for a discouraging moment. It was a quick and easy read that got me thinking and reflecting as I was being inspired and encouraged. Also there’s a great resource list for me to dig in deeper this summer.