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Because of a Teacher: Stories of the Past to Inspire the Future of Education
What you do matters. You may not hear it often (or ever), but if you're an educator, you're making a difference in the lives of learners. And that impact has a domino effect. In Because of a Teacher, more than fifteen of today's leading educators remember the teachers and administrators who inspired and supported their careers. Through a series of heartfelt and uplifting stories, they reflect on their early years teaching, offering advice and strategies suited to first-year teachers and longtime educators alike. These personal stories offer hope for new teachers, encouragement for educators tiptoeing into burnout, and reassurance that the work you're doing right now will inspire generations to come. Because of a Teacher will inspire you to Endorsements "Whether you are in your first year of teaching or nearing your last, Because of a Teacher will remind you why you went into education in the first place and help us all focus on what is really the legacy we will leave with the students and staff we are blessed to work with." -Allyson Apsey, principal and author of The Path to Serendipity
"I would highly recommend this book to any educator I know!" -Morgane Michael, educational consultant and author of From Burnt Out to Fired Up!
"Because of a Teacher is filled with voices from the field who remind us of the impact we can make with all students, even on our toughest days. If you are looking for an inspiring read to remind you why you went into the profession, this book is it." -Jimmy Casas, educator, author, speaker, and leadership coach
"I would highly recommend this book to any educator I know!" -Morgane Michael, educational consultant and author of From Burnt Out to Fired Up!
"Because of a Teacher is filled with voices from the field who remind us of the impact we can make with all students, even on our toughest days. If you are looking for an inspiring read to remind you why you went into the profession, this book is it." -Jimmy Casas, educator, author, speaker, and leadership coach
188 pages, Hardcover
Published August 5, 2021
30 people are currently reading
256 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 21, 2022
Our greatest teacher-trainer-learners often turn out to be wonderful storytellers. Through their stories, they provide a context for our own learning. They engage us and inspire us. And they transform us. So when innovative teaching, learning, and leadership consultant, speaker, and author George Couros published a collection of stories by teachers—"Because of a Teacher: Stories of the Past to Inspire the Future of Education"—last year, we just had to know we were in for a treat: a collection of stories by storytellers who incorporate storytelling in their work. It's as if we were invited to an evening of stories by some of our best peers.
We recognize, as we dive into the opening pages of the book, that we are in for a real treat. And Couros and his co-conspirators in producing this wonderfully engaging evening of learning with the storytellers do not let us down for even a moment. We know, from the title, that we’re going to be hearing teachers talk about the art of teaching; those of us involved in lifelong learning as trainer-teacher-learners recognize that we are with kindred spirits as we spend time with those teachers working in formal academic settings. We also know, if we are familiar with Couros’s “Three Questions on Educators That Inspire” series on his Innovator’s Mindset podcast, that those stories, as Couros himself writes, “have the potential to help improve current practice. And they can inspire current teachers while honoring the educators who once inspired them.”
Certain themes flow consistently through the book. The teachers with whom we are spending time acknowledge the support they have received, throughout their careers, from peers, mentors, and administrators. They consistently cite the power of collaboration with their peers and with their learners. They are, themselves, consummate learners who learn from their own mistakes and recognize that the temporary failures we all face are part of our lifelong learning endeavors and actually make us more appealing and accessible to our own learners because, through our actions and admissions, acknowledge that we, too, are human and fallible.
We read (and hear) the stories in this engaging book. We reflect on what they suggest to us. We feel inspired by them and want to immediately work them into our own practices. And by the time we finish reading the book and relishing what the stories suggest to us in terms of possibilities in our lifelong learning landscapes, we realize we have absorbed what Couros and his colleagues set out to offer us. We are better off then we were before we picked up the book. Because of a teacher.
We recognize, as we dive into the opening pages of the book, that we are in for a real treat. And Couros and his co-conspirators in producing this wonderfully engaging evening of learning with the storytellers do not let us down for even a moment. We know, from the title, that we’re going to be hearing teachers talk about the art of teaching; those of us involved in lifelong learning as trainer-teacher-learners recognize that we are with kindred spirits as we spend time with those teachers working in formal academic settings. We also know, if we are familiar with Couros’s “Three Questions on Educators That Inspire” series on his Innovator’s Mindset podcast, that those stories, as Couros himself writes, “have the potential to help improve current practice. And they can inspire current teachers while honoring the educators who once inspired them.”
Certain themes flow consistently through the book. The teachers with whom we are spending time acknowledge the support they have received, throughout their careers, from peers, mentors, and administrators. They consistently cite the power of collaboration with their peers and with their learners. They are, themselves, consummate learners who learn from their own mistakes and recognize that the temporary failures we all face are part of our lifelong learning endeavors and actually make us more appealing and accessible to our own learners because, through our actions and admissions, acknowledge that we, too, are human and fallible.
We read (and hear) the stories in this engaging book. We reflect on what they suggest to us. We feel inspired by them and want to immediately work them into our own practices. And by the time we finish reading the book and relishing what the stories suggest to us in terms of possibilities in our lifelong learning landscapes, we realize we have absorbed what Couros and his colleagues set out to offer us. We are better off then we were before we picked up the book. Because of a teacher.
July 10, 2023
Our admin team shared copies of this book with every teacher in a meeting sometime this past school year. Most of us, admittedly, were already feeling overwhelmed still as we navigate out of the pandemic, so the idea of suddenly having enough time to read a feel good book about teaching seemed like a luxury none of us could afford.
Having finally found the time this summer, it was a great read, and it has me thinking on how I might use the knowledge gained and the reminders shared. It centered on three questions related to the teacher who influenced us, the admin who influenced us, and advice we'd give our first year teacher selves. Each story shared had three follow up questions at the end, which would make for great PLC discussions (maybe picking a question or two each week to reflect on together).
The final stories in each of the sections tended to be the ones that resonated most with me, but there were gems along the way. This is a valuable read for all teachers: those of us still filled with passion for the job, those of us with low energy, those of us with confidence, and those of us questioning ourselves. It has something for everyone, and, bonus, at the end of each educator's story, they share how to reach out and connect with them and their books, websites, Twitter, and more, to keep the learning and inspiration going.
Having finally found the time this summer, it was a great read, and it has me thinking on how I might use the knowledge gained and the reminders shared. It centered on three questions related to the teacher who influenced us, the admin who influenced us, and advice we'd give our first year teacher selves. Each story shared had three follow up questions at the end, which would make for great PLC discussions (maybe picking a question or two each week to reflect on together).
The final stories in each of the sections tended to be the ones that resonated most with me, but there were gems along the way. This is a valuable read for all teachers: those of us still filled with passion for the job, those of us with low energy, those of us with confidence, and those of us questioning ourselves. It has something for everyone, and, bonus, at the end of each educator's story, they share how to reach out and connect with them and their books, websites, Twitter, and more, to keep the learning and inspiration going.
October 5, 2023
Although I read this for a continuing education book study for credit, I have to say that it was an absolutely enjoyable read that I'd gladly recommend to other teachers! The truth of the matter is that nowadays, education is a career where you often hear more horror stories than anything else, so it's refreshing to read a book about this line of work that's filled with positivity. It offers a reminder of *why* we do what we do without coating everything in an unrealistic veneer of candy, and we could all use some inspiration to help us remember that what we do matters and has an immense impact on our students' lives. There is, of course, that nagging feeling of inadequacy from comparing myself to the incredible teachers and administrators described each chapter, but that's probably just the imposter syndrome talking. This book sparked joy in my heart and made me think to myself that I'm pretty lucky to get to do what I do, so that's a win as far as I'm concerned.
November 20, 2022
4.5 stars for this book that made me smile & cry! A book gifted to me from an Aunt was great read for a teacher. A great reminder of why I do what I do every day & love it, despite the hard parts.
February 14, 2023
Great read for any educator.
July 8, 2023
Just what I needed before the start of this upcoming school year!
January 2, 2024
This was a great book!
August 19, 2025
Inspiring book to read about stories of past teachers to understand the future of teaching.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews