Need inspiration? Check out this book!

I have loved Wednesdays this summer on Two Writing Teachers.  Lately Stacey has been blogging on Wednesdays and I’ve been envisioning my post for one of my recent favorite books from the field.   For those who are regular readers, it won’t come as a surprise that it is by Penny Kittle.  Her book, Public Teaching: One Kid at a Time, is a must read for every teacher.  (In reality, I think all of her books are a must-read, but this is one I’ve never mentioned on TWT before.) 

Public Teaching is a charming book that won’t let you put it down.  Even after reading it once, I picked it up again this week and found myself still reading after one in the morning on a school night!  Penny’s stories remind me that I’m not alone in the crazy mishaps that are inevitable in the lives we lead as teachers.  Her insightful reflections had me from laughing to crying as she made connections that inspire me as a teacher (and a writer).  I’m not only a better educator for reading it, I’m a better person.  She inspires me to be genuine and weave my stories into the work I do each day with students and teachers. Trust me, you won’t be sorry with this book . . . and you’ll want to reread it time and time again.

Here are some words that are speaking to me from Public Teaching:

There will be days when you realize how lucky you are to know these kids well, and you’ll literally spring out of bed, eager to be in your classroom.  There will be days when the frustrations and distrust of the public will break your spirit and tempt you to quit . . . It takes great heart to be a teacher (2).

She must make the same effort to know them as people as she makes to understand her subject (81).

I believe teaching, like marriage, is best when you make it past courtship (120).

I’d love to know what others think of this book — or if you are planning to read it.  Just leave a comment to this post!