Dear Parents: Letters from the Teacher—your children, their education, and how you can help

by Gabbie Stroud

In this funny, heartfelt and passionate call to arms, Gabbie Stroud makes a plea to all parents to understand their roles as their children's lifelong teachers and show how they can best help their kids' teachers and schools achieve the best results for the next generation of leaders.

So many parents are buying the government line about standardised testing of students and programs like NAPLAN and MySchool, which somehow satisfy the 'consumer' in many people as they think they are getting results because of ranking and comparisons. But what these parents don't seem to realise is what those new ways of assessing students' skills are actually doing to their kids' ability to learn the crucial life skills and appreciation for learning that has thus far been the primary aim of teaching.

In this funny, heartfelt and passionate series of letters to the Mothers and Fathers of Australia, Gabbie Stroud makes a plea to all parents to understand the fundamental changes to the way their children are being taught, and the results of such a process on the development of future generations. She wants parents to understand their responsibility as primary educators and to appreciate the benefits to their kids of the life-long benefits that committed and dedicated teachers can bring to them.

Genres: Nonfiction, Education, Parenting, Teaching, Psychology, Audiobook

351 pages, Paperback

First published February 4, 2020

Reviews

[Lysh · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was one of my most highly anticipated reads for 2020 and I'm sorry to say that I was disappointed. I went into this believing it might make a difference in education. Stroud's first book, "Teacher" brought to light many of the problems in education, and I read it at a time when I was in the midst of experiencing many, if not all, of them simultaneously. I was not in a good space and was only just surviving in my career. It was validation that what I was feeling was what many other teachers experience too. However, that first book didn't offer any solutions to these problems. It brought us down without building us up. I had hoped that this epistolary novel would be different. I had hoped that it would bring these problems to light in a way that made sense to parents and offer solutions that we can achieve together. But I was wrong.

There were points that I found myself in agreeance, but for once there were also points where I found Stroud to be stretching the negativity a bit too far. Her portrayal of another teacher in the 'make-believe' school wasn't fair and a single paragraph at the end of the book about why this teacher's actions might be that way was not enough to save her bringing them down. Teachers need to stick together and I didn't like the way that she portrayed the put-downs of a colleague. I felt like the NAPLAN story was oversold as well - it felt like she was beating a dead horse!

The tone of the book was too negative towards parents themselves. No parent (who isn't a teacher) is going to read this and agree with teachers because she was constantly belittling them and telling them that they do everything wrong! I teach the children of many amazing parents, and just because a handful take up more time and energy because they perhaps don't know the whole story or evidence behind certain parenting approaches, doesn't mean that those amazing parents are any less of a hero! I wish she would have spent more time describing the positive behaviours of parents, rather than the negative ones. Teach through modelling! And then, when describing the negative, Stroud could have offered alternatives backed by research instead of rambling thoughts and complaints.

I may not have sided with Stroud as strongly, since I am now in a better place in my career. I am at an amazing school. I have some truly amazing parents. All my kidlets are awesome and great little personalities. I feel really confident in my role as their teacher. There is also what is happening in the world right now...as I was reading about the woes of NAPLAN, thousands of people were dying overseas due to the current pandemic. It really puts these issues into perspective. This may have swayed my views.

Easy to read, but I wish this book was a bit easier for parents to swallow....I feel like that would have been more productive for all.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything I hoped it would be! Smart, insightful, hilarious - I devoured all of it. Teachers, non-teachers, parents and non-parents - everyone needs to read this book. There's a gem of advice on every page. I lost count of how many times I laughed out loud, fist-punched the air in agreement, cheered Ms Stroud on. Her thoughts, concerns, and ideas about education and teaching closely mirror my own - literally every word she wrote I was in agreement with. It also made me nostalgic for the classroom (I had a brief stint as a primary teacher before I escaped for the quieter life of a librarian). And the anecdotes - my god - you could read it for the classroom anecdotes alone! Dear Teacher, please write more! Needless to say - highly recommend.

[Née Jayne · Rating 1 out of 5]

*warning unpopular opinions ahead!*
Sadly as a parent, this book made me feel lost, overwhelmed, and bewildered. Wow! What a hugely negative opinion this teacher has of parents! And it's shocking to see so many other teachers agree and rate the book highly. I'm all for honest feedback (full disclosure I don't even have kids in school yet), however this book made me feel like there isn't really much a parent can do right in a teacher's eyes! Even the chapter on teaching conferences which lists the contradictory comments from parents (some of which were kind and positive) was written up as another example of teacher gripes with parents and how hard it is "to please everyone". If this book had included some kind of a fictional parent who represented what teachers wanted, then I think the profession would find that this book would help educate parents and possibly help close this weird divide between "us and them". I fear all it does is lead to more disengagement and possibly defensiveness (my review is an obvious case in point).


Also, whilst constantly complaining about parents and insinuating that they have poor parenting skills, I disliked her righteous comments about her own parenting style (e.g., the example of the beautiful teaching moment she had with her daughter and tooth brushing, whilst also commenting on how many parents in her class haven't bothered to teach their kids basic self care skills). Could she have reflected that she too is a flawed parent? As we all are? It would have made her seem more realistic and easier to connect with.

Unfortunately, for someone who isn't a teacher, this just felt like a long sad rant from a lady who should find a different job. As an aside, *warning really unpopular opinion coming up* what is with this seemingly toxic culture amongst teachers which makes it fine for them to write books complaining about the people they care for in their job? I'm a health care worker and yes it isn't all butterflies and rainbows but I can't imagine I'd be popular amongst my colleagues if I wrote a book outlining all the negative patient and family experiences I have had. But it's totally okay to do if you're a teacher right?
Sorry, big thumbs down for me.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this book just didn't do it for me. As an experienced teacher myself, I agree wholeheartedly with a lot of the sentiments expressed (ie: invidious nature of NAPLAN), but found the criticisms often read like lectures and weren't balanced enough with 'Magic Moments' which, in small ways, happen every day. For me, teaching is just not that wretched.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

The argument is pretty much uniform: Stroud
* lives off your taxes even if you don't have school children
* can't be avoided, because school is mandatory
* can't be fired, because magic
* isn't responsible for the consequences of his actions and will be shielded by Union and School
* will trump any discussion because he is "a professional"

Yet, the parents are supposed to do the work, because Stroud is
* stressed, but not unfit,
* busy, but not unqualified,
* intelligent, but can't answer basic children questions outside the routine of the standard curricula

[Jasmine's · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gives you a teachers perspective of school and dealing with parents. Reading this made me even more Pro home education. How much stress and work load our teachers have is ridiculous. Schools need a overhaul as the system hasn't been updated really since just after WWII.

[Tonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final page includes, "No one can really tell you what it's like to be a parent until you become a parent. In the same way, no one can really tell you what it's like to be a teacher until you become one."

Parents will gain some insights fron reading the book but only teachers will understand how well Stroud has captured education as it is today in urban NSW.

[Millie May · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so good!! While being fictitious still an amazing insight to teaching!! Very relatable as a pass student and current preservice teacher!!

[Chantel Chandler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Absolutely loved the anecdotal nature of this book. I could relate to so many of the stories. I didn’t finish it though because I feel the writing about NAPLAN is so strong that it takes away from the story.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious, relatable, heartwarming and painfully honest. Love Gabbie's 'real-ness' and also enjoyed the unfiltered prose and commentary. A must-read for any teacher!

[Sonja Schaalo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well..fuck me sideways. I simply loved this! I listened to it as an audio and the voice actress did a great job of bringing Gabbie's voice to life. I wonder if the written version would be as effective? Gabbie Stroud, you have done a great job. You are an important voice in the advocacy of Australian teachers and I salute you. My partner is a firefighter and when he walks down the street, he is waved to, cheered and thanked. All the time. For what? Being of service, putting himself on the front line and doing a job that most of us would be too scared to do. He is acknowledged and thanked. Wow.... and Australian teachers? Nope. All we hear time and time again is how we are incompetent, lazy, whingers and dumb. Really? Years ago I promised myself to never talk to anyone about my job unless they were teachers. Now, I will refuse to discuss education with anyone unless they have read your book. Especially the chapters where she describes her average day to someone who simply refers to our many holiday breaks. You know, I will admit... I LOVE the holidays we get. Whenever someone highlights the holidays, I laugh and say: Yep, it is the best job. We've got it so good. You should retrain and join us! End of discussion. I gave up years ago justifying myself and the perks of my profession.
The last chapter brought me to tears. I felt that Gabbie was thanking me. I have worked at a tough school, private schools and independent schools. To be thanked is amazing. Parents can be so cruel. So unkind and oh so demanding. In fact, you only ever hear from them when they complain. A classroom is a community and I am responsible for all the little souls in it. Not just for one student. Where is the trust that I know what I am doing? I left Australia and have been working as a teacher in Germany and it is like a Sabbatical. I have time for lunch, toilet breaks, chats with colleagues, time to plan and so much more. But it is soon time to return home. And I am nervous. I dont want to face the workload anymore and so I am thinking of retraining and leaving the classroom. If I do, then that's yet another experienced and competent teacher to hit the dust.
I loved Gabbie's critique of the over involvement of parents in the child's life, and the constant invitations for parents (mums) to be at school. The apps, the data, Naplan oh what on earth is it all for? Gabbie, did you slip into my mind and read it?
The only critique was that Gabbie's description of the farm life childhood. She lost me there. But that was just a fleeting moment. I also agreed that it is not a parent's job to play with your kids. When did we think we need to micro manage everything our children do? Let them breathe. Let them become bored. I also loved: "you parent, so I can teach."
I cant help but think if we had more men in our profession we wouldnt be in the situation we're in. Because it has been primarily a women's profession, well.... we can just as well raise them. How many times in moments of stress, have I asked if we need to cook our students dinner as well? It is TOO much.
Gabbie - please can you become the minister of education? We need you. We really do.
If I do end up back in the classroom, your collections of essays has given me the strength to only do the things that matter. My wellbeing matters, too. The teacher's wellbeing is so overlooked and totally taken for granted. We dont even admit to each other that we are 'not coping'. We are expected to smile and just be happy. Because we are women. We give and give. We smile. Dont dare to complain. Come home, continue to take care of those at home etc. Enough is enough.
Thank you Gabbie Stroud. Thank you for voicing my thoughts and daring to speak out. You are my hero.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were passages in this book I wanted to read aloud to others.

There were passages where I wanted to put my arms around the author, Gabbie Stroud (or ‘Stroudy’ as The Ax called her).

In this semi-fictional memoir teacher Gabbie Stroud shares her inner-most thoughts and emotions through a series of emails.

The implausible format didn’t detract from the genuine discourse.

But the overall effect is crushingly sad. An educated, caring and sensitive woman gives so much to her profession (teaching), that her family and personal life suffer.

A true and intelligent educator. This is what we want for all students. But, not at this price.

[Helen - Great Reads & Tea Leaves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well worth the read for every teacher and parent.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Insightful and humorous. I liked the format with Stroud writing an honest email to her students' parents each week of the school term. Sometimes I felt like her critiques of the system didn't quite work in the email format, but overall it was a good balance of criticism, information and entertainment. I didn't like it as much as Teacher, but I'd definitely recommend to both parents and teachers in Australia.

Thanks to Allen & Unwin for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Ngarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written in an entertaining manner which I think certain readers will respond really well to, but for me, it's highly subjective and written by someone who seems to be suffering from high anxiety. I agree with a great deal of the content but I felt at times it swung between preaching and whinging. Important to at least get the conversation started though.

[Alyssa Markmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this book for literally anyone. So much of the education system is revealed that people just don't think about, and it's written in such an entertaining and accessible way! While reading this as a first year teacher made me a little freaked out at times of what could happen, the magic moments are so worth the pain.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A succinct encapsulation of the life of a teacher. Would recommend to anyone involved with schools - parents, leaders and civil servants.

[Kimberley Shaw]

A little improbable, but still a good, fun enjoyable read - especially for teachers.

[Michele Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. Every parent should be issued it when their child starts school & made to reread each year after 😂😂 Fabulous read

[Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining and painfully accurate account of a year in the life of a primary school teacher, interspersed with the author's views on education. She'd potter along for a bit documenting the funny, chaotic, never-a-dull-moment highs and lows of her day, then dive off into a passionate rant about how schools are becoming increasingly consumer-driven and focused on performance & comparison, and how toxic this culture is for kids and their learning. I really enjoyed reading it! She has an engaging writing style and spoke frankly and controversially about lots of topics that I'm interested in and have strong opinions about, so it was a gripping read for me.

It's titled "Dear Parents", but if she was hoping to get parents on her side, or make them feel more sympathetic toward teachers, I think she needed to tone it down a notch. Her frustration and lack of respect for parents came through a bit TOO clearly! It's understandable that she feels bitter after all the bad experiences she described, in which she was treated dreadfully by parents, not given any support by the school, and made to feel powerless and unsafe, meanwhile witnessing the negative impact their behaviour was having on the children. The injustice has plainly rankled, especially considering how genuinely she cares about the kids. She made lots of valid points, but it was a little one-sided. Not ALL Parents, Gabbie! Many of them are amazing - doing an excellent job of raising their kids, incredibly supportive of schools and teachers, volunteering their own time, bending over backwards to help. But nope, she wasn't having that! Went out of her way to stress that even the nicest parents CANNOT be trusted not to turn around and stab teachers in the back when things go wrong! It's a shame because instead of feeling more sympathetic, I think lots of parents would come away from this book feeling defensive and "us-vs-them", which is hardly going to help. It's meant to be a partnership! Teachers and parents have the same goal in mind and should be working together to help kids learn, not bickering about whose fault it is when they don't.

The book did demonstrate, to some extent, why teachers never seem to have enough time. By all accounts, people are leaving the profession in droves because the workload is unmanageable, but they're often mocked for complaining about it. "You get ten weeks of holidays a year! You finish work at 3.20 every day!" Theoretically, it seems like there should be plenty of time to get everything done, but in practice, apparently, there isn't. Why not? Unless you've worked as a teacher yourself, it's difficult to see where the disparity lies. So when she listed and described each item of her day, including the many 'unofficial/off the clock' tasks, you could begin to get a glimpse into the time vortex that is teaching.

She was clearly a very good teacher so it's sad that she got to the point where she felt she couldn't do it anymore. She claimed it wasn't just a problem of bad leadership, but I think it could have made all the difference for her in many of the situations she described. To me it seemed like at the heart of her unhappiness with teaching was not just lack of time but lack of freedom. She didn't get to CHOOSE how to use her time. She was bubbling over with amazing ideas, drawing on her professional training and years of experience, things that she believed in and was passionate about and could tailor to the individuals in her class. But she'd frequently get told, sorry, no, leadership has decided that THIS should be your priority. And quite often 'this' would be something she considered pointless at best, at worst actively harmful (e.g. Naplan), which left her feeling incredibly frustrated and undervalued. This must have been a very cathartic book for her to write, and I totally get it. Any job where you have to keep smiling and nodding and being professional while people are being rude, unreasonable, and dismissive of your expertise would start to drive you a bit mental. Especially for someone like the author, who is clearly very sensitive and emotional and cares a bit too much.

One thing she talked about a fair bit, which I do agree with, is the wildly different expectations that parents have about schools and teachers. What a teacher's role is, what they should and shouldn't teach, or do, or say, is often completely different depending on who you ask. There's a huge spectrum, ranging from "how dare you tell my child not to stay up all night watching TV, it's none of your business what they do at home!" To: "when you get a minute please sort out my kid's social life, find all their lost belongings, remind them to go to the toilet, apply sunscreen, oh and also could you cure them of their online game addiction? Thaaanks!" Some evidently think they could do a far better job than you, others are one step away from handing their kids over and saying "here, you raise them." (Then, moments later, "oh, but not like THAT!") Often they somehow manage to do both at the same time. In theory there should be a clearly defined line between 'teacher's responsibility' and 'parent's responsibility', but in real life there often isn't. School life and home life are linked and affect each other. Parents sometimes end up explaining multiplication, mitochondria, and metaphors to their kids, and teachers sometimes end up explaining personal hygiene, internet safety, healthy eating, social behaviour, ethics, drugs and alcohol, taxes, racism, sex ed, car maintenance, and other 'life skills'. And sure, maybe school is the right place to teach some or all of those things. But (as Gabbie kept pointing out) it's hard to squeeze more stuff in without taking other things out, and the curriculum is chronically overcrowded as it is. The list of stuff that Now Must Also Be Covered keeps getting longer when there's already not enough time in the day to even scratch the surface of the topics listed. "What schools should/shouldn't teach" is something everyone seems to have an opinion about, but WHO actually gets to decide? Not teachers! They're not even consulted.

Anyway, my final complaint was that the whole premise was flawed. The idea that she was *actually sending* these emails to parents griping about everything they were doing wrong, and they didn't mind, responded positively, and didn't tell the principal or anyone else, was laughably naive. Not one of those fictional parents came forward about her emails at the P&f meeting or spoke up about it on Facebook. It was unrealistic and it undermined her point because it would be such an incredibly unprofessional and unethical thing for a teacher to do. Criticising parents and other teachers by name, describing students' behaviour and personalities, discussing details of their learning abilities and home life situations with the parents of the entire class! In an EMAIL, so it could be forwarded on, shared around, posted online, analysed by every random on the internet, with her name & the school's name attached! I felt panicked at the very idea. I understand why she wanted to frame it that way from a narrative point of view, but think it should have been done differently, presented as a teacher's deleted/draft emails or something else like that.

EDITED TO ADD: I just read some of the other reviews and now I want to say one more thing, even though at this point my review is practically its own book. I feel like a lot of reviewers saw this book as a big long rant about the evils of NAPLAN, but I think that's missing the point. NAPLAN is just an example of her underlying concern about the entire culture around education - what people think education is FOR, what they believe they should be able to expect from it. For a lot of people, that seems to be: nice, tidy, measurable statistics that can be plotted on a graph and compared. Like learning is that simple. Pour exactly 2.5ml of information in, then measure each child to check it has all been absorbed - done! Naplan data has some practical uses for teachers, but it shouldn't be used or applied the way it often is - to compare individual kids and their learning, and to make judgements about the school or the teacher's ability to teach. Which is exactly as silly and pointless as plotting a graph of how quickly babies learn to walk and using that information to draw conclusions about them as individuals and whether their parents are any good at parenting. Education is (or it should be) more than a competition over how well kids do in a test.

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Newfound insight into the lives of and empathy for Australian public school teachers. Quick and easy read - definitely going to read Gabbie Stroud’s “Teacher” soon.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy the way Gabbie writes. I can relate to all the great parts about being a teacher, but also everything that is wrong with our education system.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the first time ever, I wanted to highlight passages in the book with a pencil. I did not, but I wanted to! So much of what is discussed here so true to life it's crazy. It is a fictionalised version of a teacher's lot, but the truths that are included are absolute. My heart broke in term 4, I laughed all the way through term 2's excursion. I liked it all, and the laughter helps to stop the tears! At least Stroud is able to speak out about the life of a teacher, which many of us are not able to do. Because it's fictionalised, of course there is exaggeration but if you are a teacher, the exaggeration is not over-exaggerated, if that makes sense. I think every teacher and educator and school based worker can relate to something in the book, and if you can't, then I think either you are very lucky or you're lying.
Again, not everyone will read this, even though they should. Not everyone will like it. I have already seen teachers and educators bagging it out. Some parents will hate it. But books are meant to reflect society and the problems within it, to allow for discussion.
I absolutely know that as a teacher I will still have to justify my role and value to society, including to some of my friends and family even. But like Stroud, I have made a difference to the lives of students, and colleagues. But the cost of that was too much. So I understand her love hate relationship with it all, because I have it too.
But I am so happy I can read this and know I'm not alone. We have hope for the profession, and for our students and our schools, but we can't ignore the very real problems, issues and experiences that teachers, educators and school workers face in their careers.
This book at least gives some voice to this, and for that I am thankful, and admire Gabbie Stroud.

[Jen Mactaggart · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found Teacher gripping and was so impressed by it but this one was a whinge fest that reinforces everything people find off-putting about teachers. If you are in need of a serve of parent guilt on top of everything you already get in the media then look no further. We understand that the education system puts undue pressure on teachers and is too NAPLAN driven and administrative. I hope teachers also realise that family life has also changed with most parents needing to work on top of caring for children with many more financial and other societal pressures, and that this may have changed their parenting practices. The issue of screen time has overtaken everybody's ability to understand it and set boundaries around it. It's great that Gabbie had a wonderful childhood but many parents did not and have been concerned not to repeat it with their own children and so will make different mistakes. If all teachers were like Gabbie I would hope parents were less critical, however I have encountered some woeful teachers in the time my children have been at school who should have retired 20 years ago and my guess is that some of the accountability requirements that have come in to the profession are targeted at these people. It's important that parents advocate for their children in relation to these teachers or nothing will change. There are lots of difficult and demanding jobs out there, all with outside pressures and excessive administrative requirements, many of which don't have the pay and leave entitlements available to teachers. Think childcare workers among many others. I am shocked to hear of the way parents can criticise teachers but parents need help too.

[Kira · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking forward to reading Gabbie’s new book. I previously listened to an interview on Mia Freedman’s podcast No Filter where she interviewed Gabbie after the release of her first book Teacher. I found so many of Gabbie’s experiences and stories relatable as my mum is a Primary School teacher and has shared very similar stories with me. However, I can see how much of this would be surprising for others.
Gabbie is extremely talented at making a point whilst also keeping the text light hearted. The book was threaded with humour and moments which I couldn’t help but laugh at. I loved how the story shed light on today’s needy parents and their unrealistic expectations. Also, the difference between what a teacher should be teaching and what a parent should be teaching. It is not a teacher’s job to teach a child how to do life! Teaching and learning are far more effective when children have basic life skills.
Thank-you Gabbie for writing such a wonderful book and helping people outside of teaching understand all the extras that teachers deal with. This is a must read for anyone who has children in school, a teacher in their life and/or don’t think teaching is a difficult job.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Rounded up to 5 star cause it was excellent!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was incredibly insightful and the format of the book was so perfect for keeping you interested. I read this book based on a recommendation from a friend in book club and I would also now recommend to others. The only bit I didn’t really love was a few of the letters based about NAPLAN as found them a bit repetitive and boring.

[Shreedevi Gurumurty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where has this book been all my life, I've been longing to read about how teachers actually feel about their work these days and this book really gets to the point and pulls no punches. Thank you so much Gabbie Stroud for writing it. I share all of your opinions regarding the poor quality of education in Australia due to the introduction of standardised testing methods like NAPLAN, too much accreditation bureaucracy that teachers have to be complete so that they can still stay in their jobs and generally embracing a culture of competition and comparisons between students and pitting schools against each other, instead of actively focusing and fostering teacher-student and parent relationships and viewing learning as a lifelong process full of magical moments, instead of as a means to an end to get a high paying job and becoming a mindless consumer. The education system also fails disadvantaged and special needs students by not providing them with the support and resources they need to achieve their potential. Every student is different and has different issues, some more than others, but there are a lot of issues that can't be seen. Factors have to be taken into account, especially about the student's home life-what their parents do for work, do they have a healthy, balanced diet, do they have books at home? Too many people, especially politicians, believe they know what's best for Australia's students, teachers and schools and it's always about collecting and analysing data and countless and pointless arguments about who deserves funding and support and teachers always get blamed if their students and schools don't perform to national standards.These politicians aren't teachers and even though they were students once, they've completely forgotten how the education system operates. Like Gabbie says,"Too many things are being done, but none of them done well." Everything has become too administrative and mundane in schools as the education system itself is overburdened. Everyone wants the school to do everything and teachers have to bend over backwards time and time again to get stuff done, mostly to please their principal bosses and entitled parents who always want to pick a fight over something or the other. Teachers aren't respected a lot anymore, once it was a position of service but now teachers are treated like servants. This book also challenges stereotypes that people have about teachers: Teachers work day isn't 9AM-3PM anymore-a lot of inane, tedious and massive school projects and initiatives coupled with marking and preparing lessons, is adding to their tremendous workloads. Teachers complete all this work on weekends, as soon as they come back home after the weekdays and they even come into school in the holidays to plan things out. This workload eats away at their time like anything and affects their personal time-with family and friends but mostly themselves. This book makes a plea to all parents to understand their roles as children's lifelong teachers and demonstrate how they can best help their child and teachers achieve the best results for the next generation. Reading to your children,leading by example,teaching them practical skills and allowing them to be bored goes a long way than giving into their demands and not curtailing their digital usages.

[Maria · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was given this book a year ago and was not compelled to read it but thought I'd give it a go. I just found it so negative that I stopped 3/4 in, skipped to the end chapters and then did something I never do, I threw it in the bin. She's been acclaimed for her fight for teachers but really, I don't get it - she doesn't speak for me.
It's clear she had an unsupportive principal, and I get that that would be hard -I probably would have left that school too. Some people in the role need leadership training or are just not suited (not my experience with the many fabulous principals I've worked with). But the way she talks about parents is terrible, her attitude appalling, it's no surprise to me that she found teaching soul destroying. All she does is whine and offers no positive solutions or suggestions. It just reminded me of the best professional development I did years ago called teachers matter, which was really about taking responsibility for your own wellbeing. I know our education system needs to change, yes there is paperwork to be done and accountabity, and yes some parents can be very nasty (but then they are also nasty to shop assistants and others they encounter). And I too have had days/weeks where I've been hurt by people at work. I also know fabulous teachers who've been treated very badly. It can be hard but so to is running a business and other jobs and life sometimes.
But surely we need to embrace the many supportive parents, the many fabulous things about teaching, the experiences with kids that make you come home excited and energised, and with every negative situation look at the role we've played and how to proceed moving forward. It may be that you ask another to support you when interacting with that person. I believe there's a chance to learn and grow with every negative encounter if you are open to refelecting and growing. And campaigning for change is extremely important.
As a parent and teacher I just do not get the hype about this author or how her approach will improve anything. Am I batty? Thoughts? Be kind.
And when you've had enough of one career, or school, allow yourself to leave, it's ok - there are always new avenues to explore.

[Taylar cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think everyone should read this, there is so much happening in education and I don’t feel people are aware of it. Although there are elements of this book I don’t always agree with. I have to say, at points it bummed me out and I had to put it down. I kept going and my highlights were the chapters about Term 3 where sometimes things become too much. I understand if you are a teacher reading this, you will connect with different elements out of this, however, a lot of us are surviving, unable to thrive in a profession where we care so much about the students. Every student that walks through my door I become invested in, but sometimes things that are not related to teaching, inhibit our ability to do what is best for the students. Gabbie just highlights some of the issues that face all teachers as well as some strategies to support effective parenting. I understand if you are a parent, you might feel targeted, but the book is called Dear Parents. I don’t think Gabbie is negative towards you, but more the way that some parents respond to the challenges that you face as parents. Please keep an open mind!

It’s an easy read but a very important one at that. We are all life long learners, let’s keep learning, growing and thriving! We are in a teaching crisis at the moment, maybe reflect on some of the stories that Gabbie shares as to why this might be the case. I love my job and I understand the constant balancing act. ‘If it’s worth doing, do it well’

[Jamie Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Parents by @gabbiestroud - Now more than ever, we need parents and teachers supporting one another.

This book was everything I was hoping it would be. I absolutely loved Teacher and was driven towards reading this book the minute I found out it's intention of helping parents understand their role as their child's lifelong teacher. As a parent of a soon-to-be prep, I understand more of what is expected of me. As a teacher, more than anything, I hope it does the same for other parents.

Like Teacher, every page was relatable. It was clever, insightful, funny, truthful. At times it was critical, heavy, concerning and a little bit sad. More than anything though, it was honest despite being fictitious. As I read the words out aloud, my wife and I would laugh together and cheer on Gabbie. We would also reflect and share experiences that were not always so different.

I truly believe that all teachers and educators should read this book. I love the feeling of togetherness when reading Gabbie's books. You are not alone. Especially you grads out there!

Parents too! Do yourself a favour and have a read. It's worth it! We are in this together and we both want the same thing - the very best for your child and their education.

Thank you @allenandunwin for sending a review copy my way. I am so grateful to you guys to review