Published recently enough to address some of the disruptions of COVID, Alexandra Robbins’ book is a well reported narrative exploration of three teachers’ lives over the course of a school year. Organized by month, Robbins presents the experiences in a way that elicits investment in the subjects lives throughout the year. It even includes a love story.
Robbins is an engaged narrator who is served well by having worked in schools herself as a substitute. This experience allows her to have an understanding that seems to be informed by experience as well as professional skills as a reporter.
Written primarily for a generalist audience, Robbins details how the three teachers manage their multiple audiences, giving particular attention to how parents participate in their childrens’ education, which is not always flattering.
For meaningful, sustainable change to develop in schools, however slowly, more adults must become familiar with the daily lives of teachers. While teachers already do so much, it falls on us to educate those in our circles about the realities of the work, and this book is great support in supporting the responsibility of this conversation.
The Teachers is an important addition towards a greater general understanding of the teaching profession. Teachers reading this book benefit by seeing some of their experiences reflected in the reporting, in addition to better understanding what aspects of their profession stand out to those removed from the work.
Reading it will also remind you of why you teach.