Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teacher Talesby Jack Canfield, Mark Victor & Amy Newmark with a Foreword by Anthony J. Mullen
Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishers (2010)
Reviewed by Laurie Wasserman, NBCTMiddle School/Learning Disabilities (MA)
Teacher Leaders Network
I love teacher books that inspire, and was longing for a book that could be read in quick bites that would revitalize and nurture my teacher spirit.
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teacher Tales - 101 Inspirational Stories from Great Teachers and Appreciative Students is the perfect book to pack in your book bag to read at school with lunch during a stressful day, savor with a cup of tea or coffee on a Sunday morning, or read on a plane.
The foreword is written by
Tony Mullen, the 2009 National and Connecticut Teacher of the Year, who articulates why we need this book: These stories will restore our feelings of being valued, respected and appreciated, as well as some energy and passion too.
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teacher Tales is divided into several sections, each written by a 2009 state teacher of the year, a former student wanting to publicly thank a special teacher, or a teacher who longed to share a laugh or tribute to a special student. The 11 sections are titled: “Why We Teach,” “First Year Tales, ”Learning From the Kids,” "Great Ideas,” “Thanks, I Needed That,” “That was Embarrassing,” “Touched by a Student,” “The Teacher Who Changed My Life,” “Tough Kids,” “Reconnecting” and “Reflections on Being a Teacher.” The stories are short, averaging just 3 pages each, but they are so articulate, beautifully written and motivating. They will make you laugh, cry and touch your heart. At the end of the book is a mini biography about each contributor, and some have even shared their e-mail addresses, should the reader choose to contact them.
The book includes several classroom tales written by colleagues of mine in the Teacher Leaders Network. In the reflection titled “Springtime Memory,” Cindi Rigsbee, the 2009 North Carolina Teacher of the Year and National TOY finalist, writes about Brian, a student she had in her 4th period class in 1990-1991 who was killed in Iraq. She reminiscences about the grin he always had on his face and how as his teacher, she has learned to look at her students not for who they are, but for what they will be someday, including possibly a hero. In “Going the Distance,” Bob Williams, the 2009 Alaskan Teacher of the Year, shares his thoughts on Cassidy, his angry student, and his difficulty trying to reach her with the assistance of her equally angry mother. He honestly shares his yearlong building of trust not only with Cassidy, but with her mom as well.
Teacher Tales is candid in its stories shared from the classroom. As teachers we often think back to that special student like Patricia Marini’s Kevonna, a frequent visitor to the principal’s office, who made us tear our hair out, but who we loved and wanted to help. Marini’s story will bring tears to your eyes and melt your heart. There’s a lighter side too, with stories like that of Illah Breen, who tells of being overly confident and having a fourth grader remind her of neglecting her spouse’s birthday. Her student, Jason, wrote a note to her spouse, begging forgiveness for her memory lapse and promised she would take him out for a nice birthday dinner. Or the revelation of Sarah Smiley, when she realizes that she is not just a teacher, but also the shocked parent of “The Naughty Kid” – after her 5-year-old son Owen tells her that “I switch tables every day, Mom. Each time I get in trouble the teacher finds me a new seat.”
Although I had never read any of the
Chicken Soup books before, after having a wonderful first experience with this book, I look forward to savoring some of the others.