Apples & Chalkdust: Inspirational Stories and Encouragement for Teachers

by Vicki Caruana

You probably don't have to think very hard to recall a dedicated teacher who touched your life in a lasting way with encouragement and inspiration...teachers just have a way of knowing exactly what to do or say to help children and teens reach their highest potential. No wonder so many parents and kids are looking for a way to say thank you and return some of that inspiration. In this delightful, revised and updated, 10th Anniversary Edition, veteran educator Vicki Caruana meets teacher's right where they are, in the midst of flying chalkdust and papers to be graded. She provides refreshment and practical insights for embracing the challenges of teaching with renewed vigor and creativity.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction, Short Stories, Teachers, Inspirational

368 pages, Hardcover

First published September 15, 1998

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

A quick read, the quotes were inspirational, but the anecdotes were disappointing. I find myself wondering where those anecdotes came from. Did the author conduct interviews and write them? Did people submit them? There wasn't a bibliography but the ones about famous people must have been researched. Each anecdote could have been a bit more informative.

[Nicole Berard · Rating 2 out of 5]

I never write review but I feel like I have to with this one. I want to prevent other busy, dedicated teachers from wasting two hours of their life as I just have. This book may be a positive influence for those who are first year teachers but as a veteran teacher, all I interpreted from this book was: Yes, teaching sucks sometimes with budgets low, pay low, behaviors high, and expectations unreachable at times, we as teachers need to suck it up and keep running ourselves into the ground for our students. That may be well received for some teachers, and it was something that would have been well received even by me two years ago, but with where I am in my life right now and all of the progress I have made with separating school from my personal life, I think this is the biggest insult one teacher can make to another. No I will not continue to spend every waking second and even deprive myself of sleep on a regular basis in order to meet expectations set by politicians who have never been in the field of teaching. No I will not spend my personal money (already a small amount due to low wages for teachers) to buy excessive amounts of supplies that should be provided by the school. No I will not keep quiet and refuse to make waves just because it is easier. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE teaching. I LOVE my students. I LOVE feeling like I am making a difference. But I will not be silenced.

[Freya Abbas · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book contains some valuable lessons on teaching but the way they're presented is horrible. I wanted short stories with great prose in which the students and teacher undergo a transformation and learn a lesson, instead each "story" is two pages or less. The author has not learned the basic of storytelling or the whole idea of "show don't tell". You can finish this book in about an hour but I won't recommend it.

[Lexie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good journey each 180 days of the school year. Many of the stories hit home while others not so much. However, the book kept me thinking and reflecting on my own journey as a teacher throughout the year. I would recommend this book to any teacher who just need a bite of encouragement and a little push each day.

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good summer read
Two thumbs up

[Kelly Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very Chicken Soup For the Soul but for teachers. Not bad, sweet, definitely very '90s (it was written in the late '90s).

[Evie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a cute read. I remember getting this in elementary school when I thought I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up. Looking back, I enjoyed it then. Now, it's something to get the warm fuzzies from while hoping that my teaching experiences could possibly be so pleasant and ideal.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great motivational stories and quotes for teachers. I'd recommend this to all educators.