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Hidden Lessons: Growing Up on the Frontline of Teaching
'Beautifully written, Hidden Lessons is both a heart-rending account of the challenges in our education system, and a heart-warming celebration of teachers and students who have triumphed through adversity. The pride Mehreen has for her community and the lives she has touched is palpable.' - DAVID LAMMY
~~~~~~~~~~~~
You're in at 7am, there until 7pm and marking into the late hours. You've got one student who's a full time carer, another who's pregnant, and a third who's just joined a gang. You haven't got enough textbooks to go around, and one of the parents just called you an 'extremist'. You've just gone through a devastating heartbreak and you have to teach Romeo and Juliet to 30 hormonal 14 year olds.
Welcome to life as a teacher.
This is a world that all of us know, but most of us have completely forgotten. It's a world where you're working 50 hour weeks, but you're still just a part-time teacher because the rest of the time you're a security guard, a nurse, a counsellor, or a friend. It's also a world where you spend all day with some of the most interesting people you know. And even when the lesson plan has been abandoned, you're still learning.
Mehreen started teaching at 21, and by the time she left 10 years later she'd learnt a bit about teenagers and a lot about life. This is her story.
Baig's book reminds us that teachers are not just at the frontline of education, but they are also at the frontline of social mobility and racial justice. In a narrative that has you in tears at times, and at other times has you punching the air in triumph, Baig reveals the disastrous consequences of this nation not valuing teachers enough. A wake-call. - Sathnam Sanghera
Mehreen writes with energy and enthusiasm about the highs and lows she experienced in her five years of teaching in an inner London high school. In Hidden Lessons Mehreen's passion and dedication for teaching some of the most underprivileged youth of today is palpable. - Jeremy Corbyn
Full of insight, wit, wisdom and warmth. A fascinating guide to what teaching is really like. - Katy Brand
This book is hilarious, frank and so much fun. Makes me feel very guilty about all my teachers though... - Grace Campbell
Deep, dark, hilarious and full of heart. - Greg Rutherford
Hilarious, heart-warming and utterly compelling, Hidden Lessons lets us in on the joy and heartache that all teachers know. - Carlisle Living
~~~~~~~~~~~~
You're in at 7am, there until 7pm and marking into the late hours. You've got one student who's a full time carer, another who's pregnant, and a third who's just joined a gang. You haven't got enough textbooks to go around, and one of the parents just called you an 'extremist'. You've just gone through a devastating heartbreak and you have to teach Romeo and Juliet to 30 hormonal 14 year olds.
Welcome to life as a teacher.
This is a world that all of us know, but most of us have completely forgotten. It's a world where you're working 50 hour weeks, but you're still just a part-time teacher because the rest of the time you're a security guard, a nurse, a counsellor, or a friend. It's also a world where you spend all day with some of the most interesting people you know. And even when the lesson plan has been abandoned, you're still learning.
Mehreen started teaching at 21, and by the time she left 10 years later she'd learnt a bit about teenagers and a lot about life. This is her story.
Baig's book reminds us that teachers are not just at the frontline of education, but they are also at the frontline of social mobility and racial justice. In a narrative that has you in tears at times, and at other times has you punching the air in triumph, Baig reveals the disastrous consequences of this nation not valuing teachers enough. A wake-call. - Sathnam Sanghera
Mehreen writes with energy and enthusiasm about the highs and lows she experienced in her five years of teaching in an inner London high school. In Hidden Lessons Mehreen's passion and dedication for teaching some of the most underprivileged youth of today is palpable. - Jeremy Corbyn
Full of insight, wit, wisdom and warmth. A fascinating guide to what teaching is really like. - Katy Brand
This book is hilarious, frank and so much fun. Makes me feel very guilty about all my teachers though... - Grace Campbell
Deep, dark, hilarious and full of heart. - Greg Rutherford
Hilarious, heart-warming and utterly compelling, Hidden Lessons lets us in on the joy and heartache that all teachers know. - Carlisle Living
272 pages, Hardcover
Published April 5, 2022
5 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
August 10, 2021
Mehreen Baig might not be a teacher any more, but this book makes it very clear that she has not left the profession behind. Both an impassioned defence of teachers and an honest refection of her own experiences, Hidden Lessons offers a glimpse into what it's really like to work in our schools... and why so many new teachers don't last more than 5 years.
As someone who became a teacher this year, it felt like a celebration and a warning- the joys of working with young people vs the crushing amount of work it takes to achieve the bare minimum. Everything made all the more difficult by government U-turns and consistently being trashed by the media. As with any public service, it can only help if more people understand what it's really like, how much teachers really care, and how hard they are working to support the young people they see every day. In sharing her story, Mehreen Baig has added to the conversation and I appreciate her candour.
A quick, but illustrative read.
ARC via Netgalley
As someone who became a teacher this year, it felt like a celebration and a warning- the joys of working with young people vs the crushing amount of work it takes to achieve the bare minimum. Everything made all the more difficult by government U-turns and consistently being trashed by the media. As with any public service, it can only help if more people understand what it's really like, how much teachers really care, and how hard they are working to support the young people they see every day. In sharing her story, Mehreen Baig has added to the conversation and I appreciate her candour.
A quick, but illustrative read.
ARC via Netgalley
July 21, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Mehreen was a teacher for 10 years and grew up on the frontline of teaching. She was 21 when she began and learnt so much about life, teenagers, herself and the broken education system.
As a teacher hoping to leave the profession in a few years, I resonated so much with practically everything Mehreen wrote. The profession is broken. Even looking at the changes since I started teaching 7 years ago, things are getting so much worse in terms of expectations, funding, Ofsted, extremism amongst youths and a backwards curriculum. We spend about 12 hours a day working, sometimes more. We are expected to live our lives in the pockets of half terms. As Mehreen accounts, our lessons leave us with about 25 hours worth of marking each day, genuinely. It isn’t as simple as flick and tick. None of the other admin like the safeguarding, pastoral, curriculum leader admin or other monotonous deadlines are accounted for when giving us protected time - we are simply expected to work in the evenings and on weekends. A good chunk of these ‘huge amounts of holidays’ are also spent working too… teaching is a profession where people go to die.
I didn’t anticipate that my review would mostly be me ranting about teaching, but here I am…
Anyway, loved Mehreen’s book! 😂
Mehreen was a teacher for 10 years and grew up on the frontline of teaching. She was 21 when she began and learnt so much about life, teenagers, herself and the broken education system.
As a teacher hoping to leave the profession in a few years, I resonated so much with practically everything Mehreen wrote. The profession is broken. Even looking at the changes since I started teaching 7 years ago, things are getting so much worse in terms of expectations, funding, Ofsted, extremism amongst youths and a backwards curriculum. We spend about 12 hours a day working, sometimes more. We are expected to live our lives in the pockets of half terms. As Mehreen accounts, our lessons leave us with about 25 hours worth of marking each day, genuinely. It isn’t as simple as flick and tick. None of the other admin like the safeguarding, pastoral, curriculum leader admin or other monotonous deadlines are accounted for when giving us protected time - we are simply expected to work in the evenings and on weekends. A good chunk of these ‘huge amounts of holidays’ are also spent working too… teaching is a profession where people go to die.
I didn’t anticipate that my review would mostly be me ranting about teaching, but here I am…
Anyway, loved Mehreen’s book! 😂
November 23, 2022
3.5 - interesting look into teaching, especially as someone who attended a school like this that was very underfunded, it made my feel nostalgic. there was overuse of the phrase “in the words of X” which made some parts feel quite cringey and unnatural
September 20, 2021
A classic case of "1 more chapter syndrome"
I was utterly engrossed in this rollercoaster of emotions and finished it in 2 sittings.
The author's insights and lessons are presented in an easy to digest manner without any fluff or word spaghetti, all the while making you feel invested in all the events that transpired.
Anyone familiar with Mehreen's original blogs and recent podcast will feel right at home with her honesty, unapologetic ferocity with an added sprinkle of quip. If you're not, you have a lot more material out there to go and consume!
As for me, I'm taking a lesson out of Abdullah's book and buying me some Victoria's Secret Body Mist.
I was utterly engrossed in this rollercoaster of emotions and finished it in 2 sittings.
The author's insights and lessons are presented in an easy to digest manner without any fluff or word spaghetti, all the while making you feel invested in all the events that transpired.
Anyone familiar with Mehreen's original blogs and recent podcast will feel right at home with her honesty, unapologetic ferocity with an added sprinkle of quip. If you're not, you have a lot more material out there to go and consume!
As for me, I'm taking a lesson out of Abdullah's book and buying me some Victoria's Secret Body Mist.
May 11, 2024
Just finished so definitely still processing…I recommend this book to everyone, charming and honest and also so so so impassioned with insights pointing to our greatest social failings. Wasn’t expecting it to be so moving but it absolutely was.
A fact I didn’t know from the book: half of those in uk prisons today were expelled from school!!! I hate how under resourced state education is in the uk and how it’s still constantly facing funding reductions. Go to a country’s poorest school and you’ll see the failing of the government in all sectors crystallised, this book emphasis this no end. It’s genuinely heartbreaking. Kids in the worst social conditions/situations are adults as well as children yet are often completely ignored by a government that see them solely as a statistic. Don’t even get me STARTED on pandemic grades being determined by historical postcode achievements—meaning many, many children denied grades offering places to further education because of work they didn’t even get the chance to do.
At the same time there is so much hope and potential captured by Baig for the future which is definitely inspiring; although bare-minimum British politics dampens the optimism sadly…
“The system may be broken but the people in it aren’t.”
A book about teaching but also about the whole world, and if that doesn’t epitomise why teaching and education is so essential to making the world better for everyone I don’t know what does.
❤️🔥👩🏫
P.S. defo thought of u Nina bean!
A fact I didn’t know from the book: half of those in uk prisons today were expelled from school!!! I hate how under resourced state education is in the uk and how it’s still constantly facing funding reductions. Go to a country’s poorest school and you’ll see the failing of the government in all sectors crystallised, this book emphasis this no end. It’s genuinely heartbreaking. Kids in the worst social conditions/situations are adults as well as children yet are often completely ignored by a government that see them solely as a statistic. Don’t even get me STARTED on pandemic grades being determined by historical postcode achievements—meaning many, many children denied grades offering places to further education because of work they didn’t even get the chance to do.
At the same time there is so much hope and potential captured by Baig for the future which is definitely inspiring; although bare-minimum British politics dampens the optimism sadly…
“The system may be broken but the people in it aren’t.”
A book about teaching but also about the whole world, and if that doesn’t epitomise why teaching and education is so essential to making the world better for everyone I don’t know what does.
❤️🔥👩🏫
P.S. defo thought of u Nina bean!
September 18, 2021
I have always enjoyed watching Mehreen Baig’s TV documentaries and so was excited to see how her talents as a presenter would translate into her writing. I wasn’t disappointed: the book exudes all of her charm, wit, relatability and her genuine interest in people and how they fit into the world. Her conversational writing style really works for discussing what are undeniably ‘hard hitting’ issues in an empathetic and compassionate way. I would highly recommend this book - it offers an important insight into the realities of the education system to anyone outside the teaching profession and any readers who are teachers themselves will feel like they are finally being understood. It is the first time that I have read a non fiction book in the same way as I do a fiction book - it is ‘unputdownable’.
February 7, 2022
God this was so good! Easy to read, relatable (trainee teacher here) and heartfelt!!
May 3, 2025
An absolute eye opener.
October 20, 2022
As a teacher, I’ve read quite a few teacher-focused books, including memoirs from current and former educators. I’ve found that on 99% of occasions, the true nature of teaching isn’t captured; it’s either too focused on the dewy-eyed idealism of teaching, too scathing a report on the perils the education system faces or is too bogged down in explaining the millions of abbreviations and jargon terms the job brings with it. Of course, all of these things are important to talk about when discussing the profession; but Mehreen Baig’s account is one of the only ones I’ve read which seems to balance all of the above elements in a way which felt real and fair. It’s neither naively idealistic nor grossly pessimistic.
Baig mentioned at the start of this book that it is actually a fictional account; but as a teacher myself, I recognised so many of the instances here to such a degree that it seems that this must have been heavily inspired by real events. Only someone who has experienced teaching over a number of years would be able to record with such accuracy the love, passion, frustration and utter exhaustion that the job entails.
I was particularly moved by her accounts of dealing with heartbreak and illness, whilst constantly putting the students first. It is hard in such a life-consuming vocation to prioritise your own well-being, and it is so easy to lose yourself to the job. It is the best and worst job in the world and I do truly think that this account is the most accurate to my own experiences that I’ve read.
If you are one of those people who think that teachers work 9-3, have loads of holidays and an easy life in their job, then I implore you to read this.
Baig mentioned at the start of this book that it is actually a fictional account; but as a teacher myself, I recognised so many of the instances here to such a degree that it seems that this must have been heavily inspired by real events. Only someone who has experienced teaching over a number of years would be able to record with such accuracy the love, passion, frustration and utter exhaustion that the job entails.
I was particularly moved by her accounts of dealing with heartbreak and illness, whilst constantly putting the students first. It is hard in such a life-consuming vocation to prioritise your own well-being, and it is so easy to lose yourself to the job. It is the best and worst job in the world and I do truly think that this account is the most accurate to my own experiences that I’ve read.
If you are one of those people who think that teachers work 9-3, have loads of holidays and an easy life in their job, then I implore you to read this.
September 10, 2021
This book arrived yesterday and I read it in a single sitting. I was floored. Mesmerised. Stunned. I had no idea that teachers worked this hard. And did so much. I suppose you usually think of teachers as just turning up into the classroom and teaching. But the backstory of the author in this book had me in tears one minute, and a fit of giggles in another. I fell in love with Hot Maths Teacher (lol - do they even exist?) and was particularly charmed by the array of students. The story of the boy who went on to become successful was so moving that my mum had to ask me what was wrong. This would make a fantastic TV show. It is so funny and so emotional. And the literary references scattered throughout made readers like me work hard to discover them. Overall, the book is clever, refreshing, engaging, stylish and hot. Much like the author herself (I did a quick cheeky Google!)
September 4, 2021
In 'Hidden Lessons' Mehreen Baig shares her funniest and most touching stories from her time as an secondary school English teacher. I've read a few of these 'memoirs of teaching' books now and this is definitely one of the most enjoyable ones.
What went well: Baig became a teacher almost by accident and, as a newly qualified teacher, went to teach at her old secondary school for nearly a decade. Going into the book I thought that staying at one school during a short teaching career would mean that the book lacked a wider viewpoint but it actually gave her story much more narrative and depth than I was expecting. The myriad of problems faced by individual students was counterbalanced by a number of success stories which made me think 'maybe it isn't impossible to change kids lives' or maybe 'oh wow- there are some teachers out there who enjoy teaching?'. Baig herself is definitely a character and not afraid to laugh at herself. She seems to have a lot of self-awareness and doesn't shy away from telling the reader about herself - the good and the bad.
Even better if: By the end of the book, Baig is another burnt out teacher who leaves the profession that they spent so much time trying to make a difference in. This isn't a decision that she's made lightly and it clearly hurts her to have done so. However, apart from making very good points about cuts to education funding and school resources she doesn't make any suggestions for improving things. That's not her job, it's the job of politicians, but as she rightly points out politicians don't know a whole lot about teaching. She doesn't agree with the priorities of the government and is clearly angry over the decisions made by those in charge but that's a very broad ask. Some targeted insight and advice would have been welcomed.
Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC!
What went well: Baig became a teacher almost by accident and, as a newly qualified teacher, went to teach at her old secondary school for nearly a decade. Going into the book I thought that staying at one school during a short teaching career would mean that the book lacked a wider viewpoint but it actually gave her story much more narrative and depth than I was expecting. The myriad of problems faced by individual students was counterbalanced by a number of success stories which made me think 'maybe it isn't impossible to change kids lives' or maybe 'oh wow- there are some teachers out there who enjoy teaching?'. Baig herself is definitely a character and not afraid to laugh at herself. She seems to have a lot of self-awareness and doesn't shy away from telling the reader about herself - the good and the bad.
Even better if: By the end of the book, Baig is another burnt out teacher who leaves the profession that they spent so much time trying to make a difference in. This isn't a decision that she's made lightly and it clearly hurts her to have done so. However, apart from making very good points about cuts to education funding and school resources she doesn't make any suggestions for improving things. That's not her job, it's the job of politicians, but as she rightly points out politicians don't know a whole lot about teaching. She doesn't agree with the priorities of the government and is clearly angry over the decisions made by those in charge but that's a very broad ask. Some targeted insight and advice would have been welcomed.
Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC!
January 27, 2023
In “Hidden Lessons: Growing Up on the Frontline of Teaching," Mehreen Baig shares her journey as a young teacher in inner-city London school. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, she paints a vivid picture of the daily struggles and triumphs of being a teacher in a challenging environment.
One of the strengths of this book is Mehreen’s ability to humanize her students and colleagues. She shares their struggles with poverty, mental health, and discrimination, and illustrates how these issues impact their ability to learn and succeed in school. She also highlights the resilience and determination of these young people, and the ways in which they inspire and teach her.
Through her honest and raw storytelling, Mehreen sheds light on the realities of teaching and the impact it can have on both teachers and students. "Hidden Lessons" is a powerful and thought-provoking read for anyone interested in education or the human experience. It will leave you with a new appreciation for the sacrifices and dedication of teachers, and the importance of empathy and understanding in the classroom.
5 star read for me!
One of the strengths of this book is Mehreen’s ability to humanize her students and colleagues. She shares their struggles with poverty, mental health, and discrimination, and illustrates how these issues impact their ability to learn and succeed in school. She also highlights the resilience and determination of these young people, and the ways in which they inspire and teach her.
Through her honest and raw storytelling, Mehreen sheds light on the realities of teaching and the impact it can have on both teachers and students. "Hidden Lessons" is a powerful and thought-provoking read for anyone interested in education or the human experience. It will leave you with a new appreciation for the sacrifices and dedication of teachers, and the importance of empathy and understanding in the classroom.
5 star read for me!
September 19, 2021
**Listened to the audiobook, and read along with the kindle copy**
As a secondary school teacher myself, I really love reading books about others opinions and journeys within the profession. It seems there have been a lot of teacher-memoir-type books released over the last few months - I have read about 4 of these in the past 6 months, so I have a lot of comparisons with these.
In Hidden Lessons, Baig really writes from the heart. I don't think I have read a book on this topic that has been so honest or heartfelt. I love how Baig explains how difficult teaching can be at times, and doesn't just focus on the 'laugh-out-loud' comedic moments that some other books have done. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy those type of books, but this book just felt so original and makes it stand out from those other books as it is so different.
Really enjoyed this, and it really broke my heart at the end - wasn't expecting that!
Would love to sit down with Mehreen Baig and compare notes on teaching!
As a secondary school teacher myself, I really love reading books about others opinions and journeys within the profession. It seems there have been a lot of teacher-memoir-type books released over the last few months - I have read about 4 of these in the past 6 months, so I have a lot of comparisons with these.
In Hidden Lessons, Baig really writes from the heart. I don't think I have read a book on this topic that has been so honest or heartfelt. I love how Baig explains how difficult teaching can be at times, and doesn't just focus on the 'laugh-out-loud' comedic moments that some other books have done. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy those type of books, but this book just felt so original and makes it stand out from those other books as it is so different.
Really enjoyed this, and it really broke my heart at the end - wasn't expecting that!
Would love to sit down with Mehreen Baig and compare notes on teaching!
March 2, 2022
3.5 stars || “You can’t go into teaching and think of it as a job…it’s a vocation. It requires energy, heart and passion.”
A love-letter to teachers everywhere, Mehreen Baig recalls her experience of “growing up on the frontline of teaching”. Told through the lessons she learnt along the way, Baig gives us a glimpse into her time as a secondary school teacher in Tottenham, and the highs and heartache that came with it.
Whilst some might read this book as light entertainment, a glimpse into an unknown world, or a confirmation of why “I could never”, Hidden Lessons confirmed me to exactly why I chose teaching. The students are the heart and soul of this book; their experiences are a testament to the vitality of good teachers.
I would recommend for teachers and non-teachers alike. For those who want to know that they’re getting themselves in for, and those who think the holidays outweigh the hardships.
A love-letter to teachers everywhere, Mehreen Baig recalls her experience of “growing up on the frontline of teaching”. Told through the lessons she learnt along the way, Baig gives us a glimpse into her time as a secondary school teacher in Tottenham, and the highs and heartache that came with it.
Whilst some might read this book as light entertainment, a glimpse into an unknown world, or a confirmation of why “I could never”, Hidden Lessons confirmed me to exactly why I chose teaching. The students are the heart and soul of this book; their experiences are a testament to the vitality of good teachers.
I would recommend for teachers and non-teachers alike. For those who want to know that they’re getting themselves in for, and those who think the holidays outweigh the hardships.
January 27, 2022
Wow <3
As a teacher trainee, I can relate to this book on so many levels.
Starting from the idea that as a teacher, you be able to save the world and the potential to have Robin William's style. To end on having "Butterfly and diarrhea in the belly". I could not stop laughing but I also shared a few tears, especially in a chapter talking about how the system had let down one student but as a teacher, you will take it personally and blame yourself.
In past weeks I have never encountered so many emotions in one day from having the best lesson to hearing some sad news and all of this could happen in a space of 2 minutes for you to have the next lesson without a break but where you need to put 100% in and act like everything is going well. This book reflects the reality of a teacher really well.
As a teacher trainee, I can relate to this book on so many levels.
Starting from the idea that as a teacher, you be able to save the world and the potential to have Robin William's style. To end on having "Butterfly and diarrhea in the belly". I could not stop laughing but I also shared a few tears, especially in a chapter talking about how the system had let down one student but as a teacher, you will take it personally and blame yourself.
In past weeks I have never encountered so many emotions in one day from having the best lesson to hearing some sad news and all of this could happen in a space of 2 minutes for you to have the next lesson without a break but where you need to put 100% in and act like everything is going well. This book reflects the reality of a teacher really well.
January 15, 2025
As a former Health & PE high school teacher all the way over in New Zealand, I was intrigued when I saw this book, but wasn’t sure how much I would be able to relate to it, considering this takes place on the other side of the world.
Phenomenal. That was 250 pages that could have been taken straight out of my life teaching in New Zealand. The same struggles, interactions, (not to mention conflicts and learning curves) were all so so similar to what I experienced as well. An extremely well written reflection on what is such an all encompassing, life taking over profession that I will always miss.
That epilogue though. That had me in bits. The amount of comfort (not sure if that’s the right way to put it?) when you get that kind of solidarity from someone else who walked away and lives with that choice every day, I’ve never experienced that before.
Thank you.
Phenomenal. That was 250 pages that could have been taken straight out of my life teaching in New Zealand. The same struggles, interactions, (not to mention conflicts and learning curves) were all so so similar to what I experienced as well. An extremely well written reflection on what is such an all encompassing, life taking over profession that I will always miss.
That epilogue though. That had me in bits. The amount of comfort (not sure if that’s the right way to put it?) when you get that kind of solidarity from someone else who walked away and lives with that choice every day, I’ve never experienced that before.
Thank you.
August 22, 2021
I am still not sure what to make of this book. It does stand up for teachers in many ways but equally shows the naivety of those entering the profession at a young age,
The stories show the everyday trails and tribulations of working at an inner city school but in many ways lacked the depth of some of the other books that have come out on the same subject from other teachers.
This was an interesting read but I found that I wanted more details and depth to some of the areas and the end seemed somewhat abrupt and unexplained.
The stories show the everyday trails and tribulations of working at an inner city school but in many ways lacked the depth of some of the other books that have come out on the same subject from other teachers.
This was an interesting read but I found that I wanted more details and depth to some of the areas and the end seemed somewhat abrupt and unexplained.
September 10, 2021
I don’t know what I was expecting from this book - if I’m honest, probably not much - but I was blown away by this debut. Mehreen Baig writes an honest account of both teaching and life as a young Asian woman navigating wider British life, she skilfully uses wit to reflect on some seriously complex issues. The hidden literary references are genius and I started looking forward to spotting them. Eye opening and very enjoyable.
September 10, 2021
A sensational debut and eye opening to say the least. The book is filled with love and compassion and frustration, all at the same time. As a mother, I appreciated the fresh insight it provided into modern teenage life, and as a woman, I related so much to the experiences of being a young woman in the workplace. Most of all, I appreciated the honesty of the author. A must read and I look forward to what she produces next!
September 26, 2021
For the most part, I really enjoyed this book and related to many moments that Mehreen had experienced over my own eight years of teaching (and still counting). However, she did come across, at times, to be in love with herself and focused a lot on her looks. I get the impression she thought she was above everyone else despite being on an action plan at one stage in her career. However, it was still a good read and I would recommend it to my fellow colleagues.
September 29, 2021
This book was amazing. The stories in it are so relatable and the insight about the world of teaching is incredible. I just couldn't put this book down, and became so invested in the stories of her life - although sad not to find out what happened with Mr Wilson...
There are a lot of points in here I can see reflected in my own life, but I haven't been put off being a teacher just yet!!
There are a lot of points in here I can see reflected in my own life, but I haven't been put off being a teacher just yet!!
February 20, 2022
A real, raw autobiographical account with a hilarious undertone of a brand new teacher who was thrown in at the deep end. This book is a relatable book for anyone in teaching whether they be young or old, new or experienced. I would recommend to all!
March 16, 2023
A really powerful insight into teaching. A book that outlines the good, the bad and the ugly with a humorous undertone for a lot of the book. Mehreen shares the absolute highs and the absolute lows, I imagine these stories will stay with me for a while.
April 21, 2023
Absolutely loved this book! A must read for anyone working in education. The author writes in a fun and detailed way enabling the reader to gain a good insight to life behind the school gates with lots of laughs too!
August 20, 2024
Recommended by a work colleague as Mehreen was due to speak at a conference. Although she didn’t make it to the conference in the end, this was still a brilliant and highly entertaining read - highly recommend!
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
August 20, 2024
This book was inspiring and insightful yet depressing and stressful - I guess that is apt for the education system it describes. However, the stress along with the amateurish writing in places made it a somewhat challenging read.
April 9, 2025
If you're a teacher it is 100% a must read. If you're not there then still worth a read so you can understand the immense pressure of teaching and why the profession has changed sometimes for the worse and better
August 3, 2025
What a powerful read. As an ex-English teacher this book is VERY relatable. It had me laughing and crying and in some strange way helped me process my own leaving of the profession 2 years ago. Any secondary teacher should read this!
September 24, 2021
This book was alright. Author had some interesting insights but failed to take points forward and offer recommendations. Left the reader confused over what to take away from the publication.
May 22, 2022
A real eye opener into the world of teaching.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews