A Kindle Treat

"I teach, therefore, I am...poor."  John Pearson, Learn Me Good

Thanks to my lack of summer reading, Amazon introduced to me to the hilariously honest Learn Me Good.  Even though I am not an elementary school teacher, I still found this book to be a realistic view of not only the first year of teaching but teaching in general.  This isn't for you if you are looking for new ways to use a Venn Diagram or wanting the politically correct Another Casserole for the Educational Professional.  This isn't that kind of book.  Learn Me Good instead reminds me that there is a time to laugh, mostly at myself. 

Teaching can be an adventure. People often have their opinions of public education and educators, but I don't think you fully understand teaching unless you spend time on the front lines (No, Sunday School doesn't count, and yes, politicians, I am talking to you).  From the moment I began the prologue, I knew this book is different.  First of all, I like how it is an epistolary memoir; the tone is more conversational and relaxed.  The emails add to the humor, as you imagine two geeky (saying this with only the love that a fellow geek can convey) friends, joking between work mishaps and The Big Bang Theory.  By the time the book was over, I wanted to be in his address book.  I wanted more.  Thankfully, Mr. Pearson is a blogger at Learn Me Good .

I also enjoy the fact this book isn't all cutesy and huggy with butterflies and rainbows.  Teachers do experience those moments, but come on, not on a daily basis.  A student has vomited on my desk. 'Nuff said.  I hypervenelate every time test scores are released. I find NCLB idealistic.  Mr. Pearson may not agree with my statements, but in my fantasy school faculty, he understands enough to hand me a brown bag before I pass out.  In other words, this book is by a teacher who teaches, not a consultant who...well, who knows what they REALLY do.  

So, here is my call to action:  stop taking yourself so seriously and check out Learn Me Good by John Pearson.  I was lucky enough to get it for less than a dollar but the 2.99 is workable, even on a teacher's salary.

Buy Learn Me Good